Celebrating Mandela Day
The significance of 67 minutes refers to every year of his life spent in public service.
Staff from the Brakpan Herald enthusiastically supported Mall@Carnival’s Spreading the Love campaign, which saw volunteers making as many sandwiches as they could in 67 minutes, on Monday.
The campaign, in honour of Nelson Mandela International Day, was in aid of the Reahometswe Community Centre.
Mandela Day is commemorated annually on July 18 – Mandela’s birthday – and the significance of 67 minutes refers to every year of his life spent in public service, between 1942 and 2009, when the Nelson Mandela Foundation first introduced Mandela Day.
The Reahometswe Community Centre, which is situated in Wattville, Benoni, provides a safe after-school environment for children between the ages of six and 18.
According to Theodora Kekana, project manager for the centre, 200 children spend their afternoons after school at the centre.
She told the Herald that the Mandela Day campaign is important, as it teaches people to care for one another.
“It means a lot; it also teaches us to be responsible,” she said.
Close to 2000 sandwiches were made by the volunteers on the day.
“We would like to thank each and every person who was involved in making our first Spreading the Love campaign, in honour of Mandela Day, the success it was,” said Mall@Carnival’s marketing co-ordinator, Shiley McPherson.
“To all of the volunteers involved, you were all superstars.
“To our phenomenal tenants, Pick n Pay, V Cell Clinix, Drimac, Woolworths, Glocell, Wimpy, SANBS, King Pie, Crafters Market, Creative Talents, Maxis, Fish n Chips, PNA, Checkers, West Pack Lifestyle, PQ Clothing, Kats Café and Builders Express, your contribution of bread and rolls, condiments, packaging supplies, burgers, samoosas and stationery packs were greatly appreciated by ourselves, as well as the team at Reahomestwe Community Centre.
“The legacy of Nelson Mandela lives on through us, because of all of the wonderful people involved.”
Mandela Day also saw Ekurhuleni mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele handing over houses to vulnerable and senior citizens.
He was joined by Trade and Industry Deputy Minister and ANC mayoral candidate Mzwandile Masino, for a wreath-laying ceremony in honour of struggle veteran Mama Adelaide Tambo, who shared a birthday with Mandela.
Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), in collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre, spent Mandela Day handing out blankets and other goodies to residents of old age homes, including the Tsakane Old Age Home.
Other Mandela Day activities conducted by municipal departments included a visit to a children’s home in Tsakane to donate clothes, and a visit to a local clinic to conduct health education on diabetes, men’s health and mental health.
Carnival City commemorated Mandela Day by hosting the Follow the Sun international meal packing challenge, on Tuesday.
Sun International employees, representatives of caring businesses, government representatives and other like-minded stakeholders rolled up their sleeves and spent 67 minutes packing dried goods, such as soya, rice, 23 vitamins and minerals and a soup mix into meal boxes, which will be delivered to hungry children around South Africa.
Follow the Sun is an initiative by Sun International and Stop Hunger Now South Africa.
Carnival City commemorated Mandela Day by hosting the Follow the Sun international meal packing challenge. Jesters Daniela Wilkie-Watson and Angus Watson kept the volunteers motivated and entertained as they were packing meal boxes.
View more photos here:
Mall@Carnival spreads the love
