Mandela Day celebrations were in full swing in Hillbrow as the Hillbrow Police and various civil society organisations braced for 67 minutes of service to the community in honour of Nelson Mandela.
Read: Mandela Day kicks off at Joubert Park
A procession consisting of about 200 people made its way from Constitution Hill in the precinct, to Barnato Park High School in Berea, where food parcels, blankets and sanitary towels would be handed over to a group of orphaned girls occupying a shelter at the school.
Captain Nthabiseng Magowa, social crime prevention coordinator for the Johannesburg East cluster, said the mandate was to appreciate the life of Mandela through the spirit of giving.
“We decided that we’re going to spend our 67 minutes with the community and members of [various] churches by marching to Barnato Park to donate gifts such as sanitary towels to the girls staying in the shelters,” said Magowa, who added that she hopes that the impact of hosting the event will also resonate with people suffering from domestic abuse, among others.
“We’re hoping to make a positive impact through these celebrations. We’re wishing that members of the community can speak out when facing instances of abuse. They should report these so that we can work together.” Magowa, however, said the rhetoric is meant to transcend Nelson Mandela Day, but carry on throughout the entire month. “As a cluster, we’re planning to [host similar events] throughout the whole month of July,” she said.
Read: Mandela Day: Some charitable ways to spend your 67 minutes
Magowa, however, said the rhetoric is meant to transcend Nelson Mandela Day, but carry on throughout the entire month. “As a cluster, we’re planning to [host similar events] throughout the whole month of July,” she said.
“We have partnerships with businesses that will be donating goodies that we’ll, in turn, be distributing to other homes and shelters.”
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