Mayor Mashaba does his bit for Mandela Day
19 July 2017
Children at Green Pastures Early Childhood Development Centre in Kenilworth, southern Johannesburg, welcomed Johannesburg Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba with an inspired rendition of the national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, when he arrived with a bagful of toys to celebrate Mandela Day with them on Tuesday July 18.
Mandela’s birthday was declared by the United Nations in November 2009 as International Nelson Mandela Day on which individuals, organisations and governments all over the world could devote 67 minutes of their time to social causes in honour of the 67 years the late former president spent fighting for justice, freedom and equality.
Mayor Mashaba’s visit to the crèche was one of the highlights of the activities the City hosted across all its seven regions to honour Madiba.
Greener Pastures is a home-based early childhood development centre catering for 44 children aged between three months and seven years. Consisting of three playrooms, ablution facilities, an office and a kitchen, the centre has been in operation since 2008. It has four ECD practitioners, including the principal.
Mayor Mashaba said early childhood learning centres were a key foundation to the development of a nation. He said the City was investing resources in these centres to ensure they provide quality foundational education.
“These centres should be different from the crèches I grew up in. They should not be places where children just come to eat, sing and sleep,” said Mashaba.
There were smiles all round as the Mayor moved around to hand out toys and educational material to the tiny tots.
After distributing the presents, he rolled up his sleeves to paint one of the classrooms. He said Mandela’s legacy called on everyone to contribute to the betterment of people's lives, especially those of children and the youth.
“These young kids are fortunate to grow up in an era in which they can sing the national anthem. I never had that opportunity and today I’m proud to bring joy to their hearts. Seeing them happy makes my day,” said Mayor Mashaba.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development Cllr Mpho Phalatse, who was accompanying the Mayor, said she was honoured to have spent the day with the children and staff at Greener Pastures.
“I wish we could do this every day to help our people and those less fortunate than ourselves,” said MMC Phalatse.
The City’s Region F Operations Manager, Ellen Thibedi, said it was an honour to spend 67 minutes with the Mayor making a difference to the community. She said ECD centres must comply with by-laws so they could get assistance from the City.
Other Mandela Day activities were held at the Drill Hall in the inner city, Adelaide Tambo School for the Mentally Challenged in Soweto, Itumeleng Educare in Bramfischerville, Johannesburg Theatre and Soweto Theatre, to mention a few.
Johannesburg Roads Agency teams visited the City’s regions and contributed their time offering various services to communities, from tar-patching to the provision of wheelchair ramps.
Other municipal-owned entities that took part in Mandela Day activities included Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo, waste management entity Pikitup and the Johannesburg Development Agency.