Minister Siyabonga Cwele celebrated Mandela Day with children of the Bonolo Early Development Centre(EDC) in Cokonyane, a rural village situated in Taung in the North West province. The Bonolo EDC was established in 1991 at Cokonyane Village in ward 10. They accommodate children from Cokonyane Village from three year to five years of age and they currently have 22 beneficiaries. The creche relies on monthly fees for the provision of meals and salaries.
Bonolo EDC caters mostly for the disadvantaged children and families of Cokonyane village. It is situated in a deep rural area where poverty is rampant.
The centre operates from the premises of St Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Minister Cwele was joined by MEC for Education in the North West, Wendy Matsemela, where they handed out donations to the principal of Bonolo EDC of blankets, mattresses, food packs, learning aids, reading books and educational toys. DTPS staff, sponsors snd the local community also painted the building, both in and out.
Minister Cwele also read to the children, and emphasised to importance reading plays in early childhood development.
The children sang and recited tributes to Madiba, and a special Madiba cake was shared among all present to celebrate South Africa's greatest icon.
