Lekwa Local Municipality has teamed up with the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day by dedicating more than 67 minutes painting an admin block and establishing a school garden in Bonga Niven Primary School, Ward 9.
The team led by the Executive Mayor was also joined by the Speaker of the Council, MMCs, Ward 9 Cllr John Nkutha, Department of Correctional Services, Department of Social Development, Gert Sibande TVET College, Love Life and Treatment Action Campaign (TAC).
Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. It was declared by the United Nations as a day for a call to action individuals, communities, and organisations to take time to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities.
The municipality and stakeholders embraced this year’s theme, – “It is in our hands to combat poverty and inequality” – by transforming Bonga Niven Primary School into not just a renovated facility but also a provider of nutritious food for students and the local community. This was achieved through planting various vegetables and donating seedlings and gardening tools to the school.
Executive Mayor, Cllr. Delani Thabethe urged all residents of Lekwa to commemorate Dr. Nelson Mandela’s legacy by dedicating the day of his birth to making positive contributions towards improving the lives of their neighbours in need.
“We started with painting of the administrative building and also the creation of the food garden as part of food security,” he said
“Lets all do what we can as neighbours to assist one another and share what we can share so that we can all thrive as a community as part of emulating selflessness of Nelson Mandela.
“In the spirit of Ubuntu, everyone can play a part, even days after this day has passed, by donating food, cloths sanitary towels, starting soup kitchens and many other initiatives aimed at making a positive impact on other people’s lives,” said Executive Mayor Thabethe.
School Principal, Mr. Smangaliso Mathenjwa passed sincere gratitude to the municipality, government departments and civil society organisations for the support they received and promised to maintain the garden and all the resources provided to the school.