Penreach and partners join hands and hearts to celebrate Mandela Day
Although Mandela Day is usually only celebrated on July 18, the Penreach team turned the whole week into a celebration of giving back!
Penreach did not only hold one 67-minute event to celebrate Mandela Day, but instead opted for a full fledged campaign, giving back to numerous communities in the Lowveld.
The Trash2Treasure Toy Campaign embraced the spirit of giving by using recycled materials to create unique toys for the learners who benefit from the Penreach Toy Libraries.
Lifalethu Preschool in Daantjie was the first beneficiary.
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Penreach partnered with i’langa Mall, Riverside Mall, Buscor, Panarottis i’langa Mall and Mrs Mpumalanga 4 U Foundation 2023, Jessica Prim. Together, they celebrated creativity and sustainability.
“The sense of unity was overwhelming and it was a blessing to get to know new people and build relationships with fellow South Africans. We truly are stronger together,” Henri Gouws, marketing manager of i’langa Mall, said.
Besides Daantjie, the Penreach Toy Library volunteers from Barberton had a fun time painting a wide variety of wooden toys. These toys were generously made and donated by staff members from Sappi Lomati, who also joined in on all the action. The toys will be distributed to seven different Penreach Toy Libraries in and around Barberton, benefitting more than 400 children.
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Sappi has been an integral part of the education gains made in the Ehlanzeni district since 1994, through the Penreach teacher development initiatives. “We value this partnership and having Sappi as part of our family. Together we are reaching over 8 000 young children in Mpumalanga each year through the Penreach Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme,” Penreach said, following the event.
The Penreach STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) team was one of 32 exhibitors at the career exhibition hosted at Maphokwane High school in Mashishimale village, to give back on this year’s Mandela Day. The event was graced by the minister of higher education, science and technology Dr Blade Ndzimande. Close to 2 000 learners attended the event.
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Their Mandela Day celebrations only concluded on July 22. Members of the Penryn Parent Association, School Governing Body, Penryn and Penreach staff, as well as some pupils also tried their hand at making recycled toys out of repurposed materials, to donate to the Penreach Toy Libraries.
It’s safe to say that the Penreach team more than did their part celebrating Mandela Day. “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.” – Nelson Mandela
