Johannesburg Development Agency staff and Diepsloot community members spent their 67 minutes on Mandela Day sprucing up Musengavadzimu Primary School, painting the classrooms a pretty peach.
Musengavadzimu Primary School, in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, was a hive of activity on Mandela Day, 18 July, as the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) helped paint a few of the school’s classrooms. Community members and a few schoolchildren joined in the effort to paint the rooms a pleasing shade of peach.
The JDA also donated desks and chairs worth R57 000 to the school.
Chief executive officer at the JDA, Thanduxolo Mendrew, said the organisation had adopted Musengavadzimu Primary as one of its Corporate Social Investment beneficiaries for the next two years, adding that the JDA intended to build a solid relationship with the school.
The JDA has been involved in a number of projects in Diepsloot; these include the Ngonyama Street upgrade, and constructing two pedestrian bridges across the river and a taxi rank.
Rose Segale, principal at Musengavadzimu Primary, thanked the JDA for its support, saying, “I am grateful and touched to see the community come out in large numbers to support the school.”
Community members at the painting day were glad to lend a hand; Rory Jean-Jacques, a local business owner said painting the school was the smallest appreciation he could show for his country; “It brings joy to one’s self just to give and serve others.”
Jerome Witbooi, a Diepsloot resident, emphasised the importance of remembering Mandela, saying “This day means a lot to me. I will always remain grateful to Nelson Mandela for standing up for my rights. It is because of him I am enjoying this freedom today.”
Mendrew said he hoped the JDA’s contribution would improve the learning environment for the country’s future leaders; he added, “The City aims to strengthen the adaptive capacity of its citizens, so that it may become more resilient. We aim to build self-reliant learners who will one day become leaders of the community, through our CSI initiatives in this community.”
ABOUT MANDELA DAY
Mandela Day is an international initiative to honour former South African president, Nelson Mandela’s commitment to service, and continue his legacy. Every year, millions around the globe devote 67 minutes of their time, in honour of the 67 years he gave fighting for freedom, to make the world a better place.
Mandela died on December 5 last year after suffering from a recurring lung infection. Mandela Day 2014 was the first since his passing.