NEPAD joins hundreds of volunteers to do good on Mandela Day
The African Unions’ New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency joined forces with Cheesekids for Humanity in Attridgeville west of Pretoria, in various activities to mark Nelson Mandela International Day.
Staff from the Midrand based pan-African institution which is the technical body of the AU, swapped their daily office gear for overalls, brooms and mops to clean and paint the Falvius Mareka School in Attridgeville.
Joined by dozens other volunteers from across Gauteng the teams, which were well organised and supervised by leaders from Cheese Kids, took turns in sweeping, scrapping and painting classrooms as well as the surroundings of the school.
NEPAD Head of Communications Maureen Nkandu, presented a special book on Mandela’s Favourite Stories from Africa, to Mrs B.S Phukubye, senior teacher at the Flavious Mareka School
“We are totally overwhelmed by this gesture by Cheese Kids, NEPAD and all others who have volunteered today to give our school a facelift, all in the spirit of Madiba’s great contribution to our country. We also wish him a peaceful and full recovery” said Mrs Phukubye.
Since 2009 Cheeskids Nelson Mandela activation camps have offered thousands of South Africans a platform to honour the iconic former President by dedicating at least 67 minutes towards goodwill and community services.
This year, the NGO mobilised resources such as paints, brushes, garden tools and cleaning detergents from various sponsors and shared these among hundreds of volunteers who turned up at schools and orphanages in Atteridegville.
Ms Nkandu from NEPAD said joining forces with Cheesekids on the special occasion which marks Mandela’s birthday was a worthy cause for a noble selfless personality who has inspired not only South Africans, but the rest of the continent through his call for peace, love, dedication and unity, virtues which enable which transformation and sustainable growth in Africa.
The celebrated international icon turned 95 on July 18, a day designated Nelson Mandela International Day by the United Nations.
