Deputy Minister Barbara Thomson participates in annual Nelson Mandela Day commemoration in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
Mandela Day, the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson today, Tuesday 18 July, donated educational books, schoolbags and toys in Pietermaritzburg.
The Deputy Minister was joined by local councillors and the community of Eastwood.
The Deputy Minister handed over educational toys and books, soccer, netball kits and gifts to the Eastwood Elderly Club.
The annual International Nelson Mandela Day international day of humanitarian action in celebration Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy was started in 2008 to encourage individuals to change the world through voluntary community work. The United Nations declared the 18th of July Nelson Mandela International Day in 2008.
Deputy Minister Thomson officially opened the JC Joshua Pre-Primary School’s resource centre and unveiled a plaque in honor.
‘’All that we are trying to do is follow in the footsteps of our icon, Tata Nelson Mandela. He was a social gift to us from God. Today is a day that we celebrate on this date. It is a date declared by the UN that this date will be commemorated as a Mandela Day. I agree that the only weapon that is at our disposal is nothing but education. We were here earlier this year and we made a commitment to help the pre-school. We need to give these little ones what we could not get-education’’.
Environmental Affairs further made the day memorable by participating in various activities including a tree planting around Eastwood that is aimed at raising awareness about waste management issues within the community and thereby empowering communities to take responsibility for the cleanliness of their surrounding environment.
Government is calling on all South Africans to support Nelson Mandela Month through participation in activities under the theme: “Clean, care, unite together as one”. The theme encourages individuals to work together as one to create a clean and safe environment.
The United Nations declared the 18th of July Nelson Mandela International Day in 2008.
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