The Frida Hartley Shelter in Yeoville welcomes #MandelaDay festivities
YEOVILLE – The Frida Hartley Shelter in Yeoville houses 27 abused women and 17 children, and was the setting for Mandela Day celebrations courtesy of corporate sponsorship.
Photo: Tshepiso Mametela
EDUCATE THE YOUNG: A book shelf was erected and donated to the Frida Hartley Shelter in Yeoville on Mandela Day.
The Frida Hartley Shelter in Yeoville, which houses 27 women and 17 children, was the setting for Mandela Day festivities, courtesy of corporate sponsorship on 18 July.
Since inception in 1922, the shelter has become a safe-haven for vulnerable women and children. Its mission is to empower women and children through counselling and therapy in order for them to once again function as fully integrated members of society.
On Mandela Day, however, McCain South Africa and Metro FM combined to bring a sense of long-lasting joy to the shelter.
Photo: Tshepiso Mametela GREENER PASTURES: Seeds were planted in the garden at the Frida Hartley Shelter in Yeoville on Mandela Day.
“We were looking at something cool and fun to do on Nelson Mandela Day, and this shelter aims at uplifting women and children,” said Deolinde Da Costa, marketing manager at McCain South Africa, which donated a deep freezer, sewing machine, educational books and toys as well as food items to the shelter as part of their Corporate Social Investment (CSI).
“The women who come here are either from violent or abusive relationships or are destitute. They are put through training to find a job and not just fed or clothed… and that’s why we felt so strongly about it.”
Photo: Tshepiso Mametela NEW LOOK: Murals were painted in a room at the Frida Hartley Shelter in Yeoville as part of Mandela Day celebrations.
Cheryl Hlabane, who is the centre manager at the shelter said although she agrees with the general sentiments around Mandela Day, charitable deeds ought to be performed daily. “Not that I’m not a fan of Mandela Day, I love the idea behind it, but I just feel that charitable deeds are something that are supposed to happen on a daily basis, and if they did, then we wouldn’t have organisations like these,” she said.
“People are homeless for a variety of reasons, and it makes a big difference for us for people to back such an initiative.”
Hlabane added that emulating the examples set by Mandela would, however, be a challenge for generations to come. “I believe that each and every generation should have their own story to tell. I think Nelson Mandela left all of us with a challenge. And so it is either on this day or any other day that we should all try to perform little acts of kindness.”
