Tuesday, 18 July, was Mandela Day and Pretoria’s residents showed up in their numbers to celebrate the life and legacy of former president Nelson Mandela by giving back.
Here are some of their achievements.
Mandela Day soup drive feeds 600 children – Shaun Sproule
Irene Middle School received a large donation of soup ingredients and 100 loaves of bread ahead of its Mandela Day soup drive and clean-up on Tuesday.
About 600 children at the Irene Middle School received a hot freshly prepared meal as they gave their 67 minutes of good deeds this Mandela Day.
Foundation phase head of department Florah Tshipu wanted to express their sincere appreciation to all the organisations that came forward.
“Their selfless efforts mean a lot to our children.
“To the learners at our school, it means there are people of goodwill out there who really care,” she told Rekord.
Established as a farm school in 1913 as a school catering to children of farm and domestic workers in Centurion, the school now draws its learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The school provides two meals a day from the Department of Education for these learners, but they wanted to do something special on Mandela Day.
The school thus put out a request for donations of soup supplies to feed 600 children with a hearty warm soup.
“These kids will grow up knowing the value and importance of selflessness,” said Tshipu.
“It will teach them that we must not only think about ourselves, but also about other people who are less fortunate.”
She said that any efforts directed towards helping children are an investment in the future.
Councillor Henriette Frohlich from Reading with ActionSA has been teaching weekly phono-graphix sessions to children at Irene Middle School since March this year.
Reading with ActionSA runs a one-year phono-graphix internship programme to address the issue of literacy in South Africa.
Frohlich said that when Tshipu came to her with an idea for Mandela Day, they reached out to the community for assistance.
“The response was overwhelming! Antoinette from Amchem was willing to sponsor the whole initiative:
10 packets of split pea/soup mixture, 3kg carrots, 3kg potatoes, 5 boxes of soup thickener (veggie), 3kg onions and 100 loaves of brown bread,” said Frohlich.
“Clare and Lee-Ann from Smart Green People were also willing to sponsor fresh produce, so I approached Itumeleng Lethabong Preschool to find out what their plans for Mandela Day were.”
Smart Green People, and two residents known as Helen and Gillian, sponsored over 40kg of groceries, including chicken portions and even custard powder.
Frohlich said she was encouraged by the outpouring of support for the two schools.
Tshwane mayor, learners plant 67 trees in Mamelodi -Stephen Selaluke
The JNF Walter Sisulu environmental centre celebrated Mandela Day by planting more trees in the community of Mamelodi.
Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink joined Mamelodi learners at the JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre to help plant 67 “spekboom” succulent plants to honour Mandela Day.
He was also joined by councillor Joel Masilela and JNF chairperson Michael Krandorff, who also helped and motivated learners about the importance of humanitarianism.
Learners were encouraged to plant more trees and save water.
Brink said the JNF Walter Sisulu environmental centre is making a very important contribution to the local community.
He said 5 000 trees were propagated at the centre and planted in Mamelodi.
“As part of Mandela Day, I thought it’s good to celebrate what civil society is doing for the community.”
“It is a wonderful initiative unique to Mamelodi. We will like to have a centre like this in Soshanguve, Atteridgeville and other parts of Tshwane,” said Cilliers.
“We want to celebrate not just the environmental benefits that trees bring, but also create a more pleasant environment and create liveable communities.”
Krandorff said there has always been a strong connection between Mandela and the Jewish community because “he had so many Jewish friends”.
He said Mandela also did his law articles at a Jewish firm.
“When Nelson Mandela became president, we reached out to him on how can we help. How can we help build a new South Africa as the Jewish community? And he suggested that we build a community park and an environmental centre,” said Krandorff.
“Today, it’s a great day to honour President Mandela by showing off the good work we are doing at the centre,” he said.
Phateng secondary school learner Adomain Masoeneng said it was an honour to be part of planting the spekboom with the mayor and local ward councillor.
“It was fun to plant trees. We have learned a lot about planting trees and the impact they can make in the community.”
Krandorff said the centre was established in 2004 to raise environmental awareness and mobilise residents to become community-based environment champions.
“Its mission is to create a culture of community conservation in Mamelodi and southern Tshwane.
“The centre demonstrates actions that can be taken to promote sustainable development objectives and climate change mitigation,” he said.
It has hosted over 122 000 learners in curriculum-based educational activities that support educators through outcomes-based activities that are stimulating and fun.
Through the centre, the Mamelodi Greening Programme has also planted over 28 000 trees in schools, homes and other sites.
The mayor also visited an old age home in Hammanskraal and ended the day by taking part in the Burgers Park clean-up campaign.
Navy forum celebrates Mandela Day with elders -Stephen Selaluke
Mandela Day is a call to action for individuals, communities and organisations to take time to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and to make a positive impact in their communities.
The South African Navy Spouses Forum made elderly people feel special and loved on Mandela Day.
This came after they chose Mamelodi old age home in their bid to do their 67 minutes of good by pampering the elderly with massages, nail polishing, cooking, fun day filled with joy and laughter.
Forum chairperson Beauty Lobese said 67 minutes of Mandela Day is not enough, it should be celebrated every day.
“Pampering of elderly people was part of the celebration of Mandela Day and it should not be practised only on the birthday of the icon but every day,” said Lobese.
“We need to help the needy almost every day in terms of health assistance, building shelters, food, etc.
“This is not a once-off visit at the old age home. We have decided to adopt the old age home and we are planning to come back and assist the elderly wherever we can.”
The theme for Mandela Day this year is #Itisinyourhands
Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on July 18 to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.
She said this day is a call to action for individuals, communities and organisations to take time to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and to make a positive impact in their communities.
“The elderly people are our icons who raised us and we are honouring and celebrating them for their guidance by pampering them,” she added.
The forum and members spent the day with the elderly people who enjoyed the massages, being cooked for as well as dancing to 1950s music.
Soulbent and partners clean Atteridgeville for Mandela Day- Manna Maurice
Numerous organisations partner to clean various hotspots in Atteridgeville.
Locals together with various organisations took to the streets of Atteridgeville to spend their Mandela Day cleaning up areas plagued by illegal dumping.
Soulbent Project co-founder Milicent Makhado said the stakeholders hosted different clean-ups in Atteridgeville.
A clean-up took place on the corner of Mmale Street and Schurweberg Road ext. 6, another at Phatudi secondary school, the corner of Makhaza and Mngomezulu streets and at Atteridgeville cemetery.
“So many [government] departments came through to assist us and we are truly humbled and grateful for all the help,” Makhado said.
“We are going to make sure that Tshwane is kept clean, we are hoping to be assisted more by the government, this is our job, to clean up, so we’ll make sure we keep on doing it throughout the rest of the year.”
Other organisations involved included various departments within the metro, TMPD, SAPS, a’Quelle, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, Necsa, Pheli FM, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Pulset kids academy, Phatudi secondary school and Gauteng agricultural and rural development department, among many others.
Speaker of the Council, Mncedi Ndzwanana said illegal dumping is something that the community needs to be further engaged in.
“This is a serious issue that we need to address because we can’t say it is the municipality that is dumping when it is the people,” Ndzwanana said.
“We need to work and come together as a community to see what can be done to resolve these issues.”
The Speaker said the dumping next to Phatudi high school can affect learning and that volunteer cleaners had to wear masks to protect themselves from the harmful pollutants.
“We’ve got a common cause of speaking of one man today that played a significant role in the freedom we enjoy today so everyone should play their part but not only for just one day or 67 minutes but more frequently. If we can do these like once a week at least, we’d be in a much better position than we are,” Ndzwanana said.
Miss South Africa 2023 finalist Lesego Nkuna was also not afraid to get her hands dirty, as she also said 67 minutes needs to be turned into a lifestyle engrained in South Africans.
“We need to do more, uplift and give back to the community in any way we can.
“We need to adopt 67 minutes as a lifestyle, something that South Africans can always keep in their mind that we must give back. We must reflect the beauty of our country in our spaces,” Nkuna said.
Necsa corporate communicator Dr Nikelwa Tengimfene said Atteridgeville is a special place.
Necsa has been working with Soulbent providing it with various tools since last year and for Mandela Day donated R15 000 worth of equipment to help the NGO with its weekly clean-ups.
“Today we also have environmental specialists that are going to analyse the area and devise ways for us to assist in any way we can.
“It’s not sustainable for us to only come once or twice. At the start of the year, it was no different than it is now.
“More awareness needs to be done within the community to just say keep your area clean. I just came across discarded medication that a child or pet can just take which can be very dangerous, things like that need to be addressed,” Dr Tengimfene said.
CSI specialist at Coca-Cola Beverages Unathi Mbanya said that the partnership with Soulbent has been fruitful.
Coca-Cola supplied Soulbent with uniforms, a container for recycling that it can use to turn a profit as well as other PPEs.
“Mandela showed us the way, he gave us the baton. He ran his race and it is our turn now, we can’t stop, we need to spread his message, give your 67 minutes to help someone, help your community and embrace the spirit of ubuntu,” Mbanya said.
He added that Coca-Cola is planning water security initiatives in the Atteridgeville informal settlements, working with more community-based organisations, to assist small businesses.
Local hospital gives 30 children new smiles for Mandela Day – Lesego Montso
Smile Foundation has transformed the lives of 30 children affected by facial abnormalities.
Photo : Supplied
In celebration of Mandela Day, 30 children born with facial abnormalities got a new smile at Dr George Mukhari academic hospital in Ga-Rankuwa.
Smile Foundation honoured Mandela’s vision in celebrating Smile Week through its collaboration with SPAR and SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane.
This initiative was created to raise support and arrange medical interventions for children from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
The foundation’s communication personnel, Toni Jabour said Smile Foundation came into being when Mandela helped secure surgery for a little girl with facial paralysis 23 years ago.
“Since then, over 5 343 children from disadvantaged backgrounds have been given a second chance at living a happy childhood, free from the emotional burden of facing the world with a facial abnormality,” he said.
“What makes this Smile Week so special is that it coincides with Madiba Day. There’s no greater way to commemorate Smile Foundation’s chief patron, the Honourable Nelson Mandela, than with a week of selfless giving that will transform the lives of up to 30 children undergoing surgery.”
Kim Roberts, CEO of Smile Foundation said Mandela Day is the one day of the year that South Africans get to honour an extraordinary leader who dedicated many years of his life to teaching change.
“It is a special day that we at Smile Foundation celebrate with deep gratitude in our hearts in honour of our beloved Mandela,” she said.
One of the children who underwent surgery, seven-year-old Zaylen, was born with microtia. Her mother Mrs Huysamen said that her greatest wish is to see her son live a normal life without being hurt or made fun of for looking different to other children.
“My family and I are grateful to SPAR, SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane, Smile Foundation and the wonderful doctors who did this surgery,” she said.
Thirteen-year-old Karabo from Mamelodi, who was born with a cleft lip and palate, also underwent repair surgery. Karabo faced challenges as this condition made it difficult for him to eat normally.
Lebohang, Karabo’s mother, expressed her gratitude and excitement for the surgery.
“This surgery will provide him with the opportunity to lead a more normal life and look forward to school without the burden of his condition,” she said.
Roberts thanked SPAR and SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane for their generosity and support that played a vital role in making the surgeries happen.
“The most precious gift you can give someone is your time, which is why we show immense appreciation to the surgeons, medical professionals and staff of Dr George Mukhari academic hospital who will be giving these children their time, dedication, and the life-changing surgery they need,” she said.
Food packs and soup for those in need in Mams West – Stephen Selaluke
‘It is in your hand to make our world a better world for all, especially the poor and the marginalised.’
Two NGOs fed up to 200 people in Mamelodi on Mandela Day.
Dlalisa Moyeni Foundation and #Notinmyname International commemorated the birth of Nelson Mandela under the theme: “It’s in your hands” with a soup kitchen at Mamelodi West section A3 to keep locals warm.
“We served warm soup with bread as well as gave food packs to those in need,” said Themba Masango of #Notinmyname.
He said “It’s in your hands” words Nelson Mandela used when referring to poverty, suffering and deprivation.
“It is in your hands to make our world a better world for all, especially the poor and the marginalised,” said Masango.
“We believe that this day is a great day and opportunity to produce more Nelson Mandelas.”
#Notinmyname recently held a soup kitchen for over 1 000 residents in the same area after the temperature plummeted to almost freezing in Gauteng for a few days.
“We felt it was vital and important to remember those who are in a less fortunate position as us,” he said.
“We call on all forward-thinking South Africans and those who have means of opportunity to please come and partner on board by donating food parcels, clothes and warm blankets for winter.”
Akasia police donate to shelter for Mandela Day – Itumeleng Mokoena
Food parcels, home-cooked meals, blankets and toiletries were donated to the disadvantaged.
Akasia police in the north of Pretoria celebrated Mandela Day with the Life Changing Centre for the homeless and recovering drug addicts on Tuesday, July 18.
Dignity and honour were restored to the homeless as much-needed necessities were donated to them.
Blankets, toiletries, food parcels as well as home-cooked meals were shared as a kind gesture and to observe the 67 minutes of Mandela Day.
An awareness campaign and a clean-up were also part of the celebration.
July 18 known as Mandela Day is widely celebrated all over the world to honour the life and legacy of the late Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela.
Akasia police spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa said police in conjunction with CPF, communities, SANDF, and IEC celebrated the day by reflecting on Mandela’s values and principles.
“Which are sharing what we have, giving back and lending a helping hand,” said Mabasa.
Mabasa said besides the donations, valuable information was shared with the inhabitants of the Life Changing Centre.
“Over 500 pamphlets addressing crime and the use of drugs and substance abuse were distributed,” she said.
Drug and substance abuse marshals were also part of the celebration to advise and encourage recovering addicts.
Wonderpark Mall management was among the stakeholders that also contributed much-needed donations to this meaningful celebration.
Mabasa encouraged the inhabitants of the shelter to join CPF structures.
“They can join an informer network available at the police station to assist in fighting crime once they return to their irrespective communities.”
Mandela grandson urges people to embrace Madiba’s legacy – Ron Sibiya
“Working together can help the nation produce honest, competent and better leaders, who are capable of safeguarding the money dedicated to uplift the lives of the people, among other things,” says Mbuso.
Late former president Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mbuso Mandela has urged people to work together to change the lives of those less fortunate and uplift their communities.
Mbuso addressed more than 500 people at the Mandela Day celebration outside Freedom Park in Salvokop on Tuesday.
Mbuso called on community members to work together to produce good leaders, kings and queens as well as businessmen and -women who will help the nation solve various problems such as the load-shedding and corruption in the government sector.
“This is in line with what my grandfather stood for, which is to give back to the community, recognise and help one another as brothers and sisters and work together, among other things.”
He said being led by people of integrity was important because it ensures that the money earmarked for service delivery or to change the lives of the people for the better is effectively utilised for the benefit of communities.
According to Mbuso, through taxation, the government raised a lot of money from the private sector and was supposed to use it for the benefit of the communities such as the community of Salvokop.
He said people need to unite to solve their problems.
“It is only in unity that we will find true success, leadership and accomplishment of the goals and dreams that we need for these young girls that are here.”
He said the adults need to prepare a better tomorrow for the youth and the entire nation.
“We are now adults and have the opportunity to change the world for the benefit of youth.”
Mbuso said more than 100 food parcels were donated to needy families in Salvokop recently.
Participating in the event were Freedom Park, The Gallery of Legends, Eye Nkosi Empire, Dipalopalo, Dandozerst Restaurant and Framefun Digital Printing.
They all commemorated the birth of the first democratically elected president by responding to his call to volunteerism and servitude.
Mandela Day is annually celebrated on July 18 internationally and at the event, Freedom Park and its stakeholders served soup, bread, and fruit to the community members.
Salvokop resident Dolly Mtiki said she was excited to be part of the Mandela Day celebration.
“Tata Madiba was the greatest leader this country has ever produced,” Mtiki said.
Attending the event was also ward councillor Fortune Mampuru, who described it as a success.
“The community members came out in their numbers to support it,” Mampuru said.
He then called on members of society to support one another every day of the year.
Centurion community projects on Mandela Day – Shaun Sproule
Centurion had many Mandela Day initiatives organised by residents, charitable organisations, political parties, prominent companies and clubs from various walks of life.
– The Lions Club of Centurion Lifestyle ran a blanket donation campaign together with Winter Hoop (winterhoop.org). President of the club Chris Carstens delivered the first batch of blankets with a second batch on the way in the coming days.
– The Hennops River Revival partnered up with the Institute of Plumbing SA, Colgate Palmolive, ARMOUR, Cetric Foundation, Wolf Entertainment, ICE Cool Media, Lovemore Foundation and Grow-a-tree to clean the river.
Hennops Revival’s campaign was also supported by Paratus, who donated 100 pairs of gloves. The project’s founder, Tarryn Johnston, said that Solar Africa brought their entire office to assist in the clean-up.
To mark Mandela Day, the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority signed a five-year MOU with Hennops Revival, including a large donation of supplies for river projects.
– Foundation Phase teacher Florah Tshipu and ActionSA’s Henriette Frohlich drew in donations for a soup drive at Irene Middle School.
Amchem donated enough to feed all 600 children at the school ahead of the learners’ clean-up day for their own 67 minutes of good deeds.
Smart Green People and residents in the area donated too, and with the extras, learners from Itumeleng Lethabong Preschool also got delicious hearty soup.
– Ward councillors from the DA from across Centurion decided to support volunteers at the clean-up project near Centurion Shisanyama, with hot soup and refreshments to keep the volunteers in good spirits.
The drive brought in so much soup, that the rest was delivered at various organisations in the region.
Doves Nest, Irene Homes, Amaani and friends, Kiepersol, and House Jubilee could all look forward to a warm dinner.
The Tshwane Social Development committee was at King’s Hope in Olievenhoutbosch.
Chairperson Cindy Billson said that gift vouchers were given to all volunteers and each child was given a back-to-school hamper courtesy of Waltons.
Many smaller Mandela Day initiatives sprang up in communities, from pet food donations to repair projects.
Councillor Marika Kruger-Muller said that all the small projects in Centurion added up to an impressive community effort.
“I wish everyone could have a Mandela minute every day!” said Kruger-Muller.
Radiostasie gaan GROOT om diereskuiling met kos vir Mandela-dag te help
‘n Diereskuiling te Voortrekkerhoogte, Pretoria Dog Rescue, se meer as 50 honde gaan baat vind by radiostasie GROOT FM se Mandeladag-projek.
Twee gewilde ontbytprogram-aanbieders het gaan inloer om seker te maak hondemagies is vol teen die koue.
Celia van Zyl, uitvoerende hoof van die dierewelsyns-organisasie, Pretoria Dog Rescue, het op Mandela-dag die wavrag kos wat afgelaai is vir die meer as 50 honde in hul sorg, met ope arms verwelkom.
Die ontbytprogramspan-aanbieders van radiostasie GROOT FM, Charonike Nel en Ruben Delmage, het by SPAR ’n bedrag van R2 000 (deur middel van ’n R1 000-geskenkbewys en R1 000-kontantbydrae), gekry om aan ’n projek te bestee.
’n Voormalige vrywilliger by die diereskuiling, Corné du Toit, en vriendin van Nel, het vir die span die wenk gegee om die organisasie sonder winsbejag te help.
Die twee aanbieders het ook ’n hart vir honde wat gered en gerehabiliteer is. Nel speel nog elke dag met haar twee honde, Lilah en Bailey, wat sy van ’n skuiling ontvang het.
Delmage is nou nog hartseer oor sy twee viervoete wat afgesterf het, Chopper en Bailey.
Reinette van Niekerk, ’n direkteur van Pretoria Dog Rescue, sê die skenking is welkom aangesien hulle inwoners by die diereskuiling se hondehokke te Voortrekkerhoogte sowat 120kg kos ’n week eet.
Die honde sluit veral groot rasspesies in soos boerboele, Amerikaanse veghonde en ’n Duitse herdershond.
Talle van die honde is deur Van Zyl en Van Niekerk self gered nadat hulle op hoofweë of in strate rondgehardloop het.
Sommiges is agtergelaat deur mense wat verhuis het en nie hul diere saamgeneem het nie. Daar is ook honde van individue wat geëmigreer het sowel as mishandelde honde wat aan kettings in buurte gevind is.
“Pretoria Dog Rescue bied ’n tuiste aan almal totdat hulle ’n tweede kans by ’n nuwe Oubaas of Ounooi kry,” sê Van Niekerk.
Pretoria Dog Rescue is ’n pro-lewe dierewelsynsorganisasie wat nie gesonde diere uitsit nie. Honde is vir aanneming beskikbaar by 083 767 6345 of stuur ’n e-pos aan info@ptadogrescue.co.za.
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