Bramfischerville ECD gets a makeover on Mandela Day
19 July 2017
The City of Johannesburg put a big smile on the faces of 41 learners of Itumeleng Early Childhood Development Centre in Bramfischerville, Region C, on Tuesday July 18 when staff arrived to spend 67 minutes of their time with them in celebration of Mandela Day.
Tuesday was to have been the late former president Nelson Mandela’s 99th birthday. He died on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95.
When the City’s Region C staff visited the centre, they did not only bring with them toys, books, shoes, clothes and blankets to donate to the children, but they also rolled up their sleeves and got down to work to give the centre a new lease of life – sprucing it up by painting its classrooms and cleaning the premises.
The learners were also showered with care kits containing diapers, soap, cream and lotion. City entities that took part included the Johannesburg Roads Agency, Johannesburg Water, Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo and PikItup. Representatives of insurance company Hollard also joined in.
Regional Director Mlamleli Belot said Itumeleng, situated in a poor community, was identified for further help to meet the standards of compliance determined by the City’s Social Development Department. He said the City was committed to uplifting poor and marginalised communities.
“In the spirit of Mandela Day, the City has taken a decision that this year the focus will be on children. This is why we have come out in numbers to support Itumeleng Centre,” he said.
The team painted all the classrooms, kitchen and office.
“We will have to come back to build a carport and to provide a shade in the playground. We feel honoured to do this in the spirit of former president Nelson Mandela because he was very passionate about children,” Belot concluded.
Principal Confidence Aphane, who has been the head of the facility since 2013, said the work done by the City was highly appreciated. “This shows that Mandela Day is a day to show goodwill. The centre will always keep his memory alive.”