The Department of Basic Education (DBE) along with LeadSA and Provincial Education Departments will on 18 July along with the world celebrate Mandela Day.
Mandela Day was officially declared in 2009 by the United Nations as an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela and is celebrated on his birthday (18 July). The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere - Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.
In 2011 the Department together with LeadSA pioneered a ‘’Special Happy Birthday Song for Tata Madiba’’ which was unanimously supported in an official recording at Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg. Thousands of people came out to sing the special birthday song, which reflected and truly drove home the impact Tata has had on all our lives, not only citizens of South Africa but the citizens of the world.
In light of this most important of celebrations, the DBE, LeadSA and the 9 Provincial Education Departments will be leading celebrations and doing their 67 minutes around the country in celebration of Mandela Day.
The national and provincial activities will be taking place as follows:
National Department of Basic Education
Minister of Basic Education
The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga will be joined by the Eastern Cape Education MEC, Mandla Makupula at St Johns Secondary School in Mthata where the singing of the special birthday song and prayer will take place at 08h00. The Minister will follow the up with the opening of the Mandela School of Science and Technology from 11h00 in Mthatha.
Deputy Minister of Basic Education
The Deputy Minister Enver Surty will in conjunction with Yusuf Abramjee of LeadSA and volunteers will visit Thohoyandou Primary School in Saulsville, Pretoria where the Deputy Minister will address the assembly and join the learners as they sing Happy Birthday to Tata at 8h00. The Deputy Minister will be joined by struggle stalwart Mr Ahmend Kathrada on a visit to Nwa’Mhinga is a primary school in Attridgeville at 11h00. The Minister and Mr. Kathrada will address the assembly and provide a keynote address respectively as well as the joint planting of a vegetable garden.
DBE’s National School Nutrition Programme
The Department of Basic Education National School Nutrition Programme in partnership with Nestle SA will contribute 67 minutes by celebrating Nelson Mandela Day at Tshebedisano Primary School in Pimville, Soweto. The objective will be to celebrate Mandela Day and leave the lasting legacy of healthy living, create an environment where learners can apply acquired knowledge practically and create excitement around healthy eating and physical activity. Some of activities include Young Chef’s competition, sport clinics in soccer, cricket, netball and hula-hoops and Skipping.
Eastern Cape
The MEC Mandla Makupula will join the Minister of Basic Education in Mthatha.
The Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula will visit Mzohle High School Mdantsane Township as part of her 67 minutes 18 July 2013.
Gauteng
Gauteng Education MEC Ms Barbara Creecy will join learners in singing a special happy birthday song for former President Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday on the 18 July 2013 at Ratanda Secondary School in Heidelberg. After assembly MEC Creecy will lead the cleaning campaign as part of her 67 Minutes for Madiba contribution. All the activities will commence at 7h00.
Western Cape
Education MEC Donald Grant will visit the “Mandela Day” container library at the V&A Waterfront tomorrow, as part of our Mandela Day celebrations. The MEC will read to learners from Alpine Primary School in Mitchell’s Plain and will assist the volunteers in assembling reading supplements and materials for learners.
North West
MEC Matsemela will be addressing the educators and learners of Tlhageng Primary School in Molatedi village at 7h30. She will also be donating sports kits, sanitary pads to girl learners and garden tools. This will be followed by cleaning of the school yard.
Subsequent to that the Acting Superintendent–General, Dr. Itumeleng Molale will at 7h45 am be at Kgokgole Primary school near Ganyesa where the department in partnership with Eskom will be donating school uniforms and bags to underprivileged learners.
Limpopo
MEC for Education (Limpopo) Mr. Namane Dickson Masemola will be at Derek Kobe Secondary school in Lebowakgomo to address assembly and commence with 67 Minutes of service in cleaning the school.
Mpumalanga.
The MEC accompanied by the Premier will be at Lundanda Secondary School where a series of refurbishments are planned for the school, these include:
- Renovation of the school (Fixing cracks on the walls, Scraping old paint and painting classrooms, fixing roof leakages, Repairing broken ceiling, doors, window panes)
- Cultivate food / flower gardens
- Fixing and Renewal of Broken School Furniture
- Planting trees
- Construction of ramps and reels
- Re-construction of toilets for boys, girls and teachers.
Projects in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Province's Office of the Premier:
- Highveld Secondary School
- Takheni Secondary School
- D&C Primary school
- Vuka primary school
- Diepgezigt Primary School
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape program will see a hive of activity in all the Districts of the province mainly the Siyanda, Pixley ka Seme, JTG, Namaqua and Frances Baard districts of the province.
The activities include general Cleaning of the playgrounds, the setting up of fences to make it safe, Cleaning of School Fence borders, and providing Gardening Tools, Refuge Bags, Paint, brushes, turpentine and protective clothing.
Malherbe Human Intermediate and Fraserburg High to mention but a few of the many activities that will also light up the province.
KwaZulu-Natal
The MEC for education, Senzo Mchunu will visit Mbolbozana Primary School to observe 67 minutes of service. The MEC will paint the interior of the Pre- School as well as engage in the planting of trees. The MEC will also be delivering food parcels to needy families at the Inkanyiso Hall near the Mkhaliphi High School.
Members of the media wishing to join in on the national or provincial celebrations are invited to contact the provincial spokespersons for further detail on each event.
Contact details of provincial communicators:
Charles Phahlane
Cell: 071 860 4496
E-mail: Charles.phahlane@gauteng.gov.za
Pat Kgomo
Cell: 072 573 0888
E-mail: KgomoPP@edu.limpopo.gov.za
Jasper Zwane
Cell: 083 743 1804
E-mail: j.zwane@education.mpu.gov.za
Sihle Mlotshwa
Cell: 072 207 2018
E-mail: Sihle.Mlotshwa@kzndoe.gov.za
Brian Setswambung
Cell: 076 012 4501
Sydney Stander Northern Cape
Cell: 082 527 4028
E-mail: Ostander939@gmail.com
Loyiso Phulumane Eastern Cape
Cell: 083 275 0675 / 072 104 4211
E-mail: loyisop@yahoo.com / yoliswa.ntetha@ecprov.gov.za
Paddy Attwell
Cell: 083 261 7699
E-mail: pattwell@pgwc.gov.za
Howard Ndaba
Cell: 079 503 5485
E-mail: ndabah@edu.fs.gov.za
