Making the most of Mandela Day

LILLIAN AMOS and Roshan Abrahams|Published 7 months ago

Volunteers came together at Fairmount High to celebrate Mandela Day by making sandwiches for pupils.

Schools, community organisations and residents in the Southern Mail’s distribution area where among those across the world who volunteered their time on Mandela Day, July 18.

Keith Blake with Arnold and Lorrinda Brice who all did their bit for Mandela Day.

Keith Blake, an Ottery community leader who regularly encourages the community and organisations to donate goods for the needy, and his cousin Arnold and wife Lorrinda Brice, from Constantia, handed out sandwiches and toiletries to the families of Freedom Park.

“The drive was initiated by the principal of Muizenberg Junior School, Joe Whitford as well as my wife who asked the parents to donate sandwiches. The sandwiches were made with cheese, lettuce, polony, avocado and fish. The school also donated toiletries, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, etc,” said Mr Brice.

In Vrygrond, a few companies came out to “bless” NPO Where Rainbows Meet with food, stationery, clothing, sanitary pads, soup and bicycles.

Where Rainbows Meet staff members, from left, Nuraan Taylor Harris Mymoena Scholtz, Michael Frost from Frost International which donated blankets, clothes and shoes, Samantha Morris, Fatema Asvat and Leanie Freeks.

“It was just amazing how the late Madiba’s spirit lives on through others by doing good. More than a thousand people were served hot coffee and tea with sandwiches throughout the day with a hot meal at lunch. Activities were dancing, face painting, Hillhouse health clinic donated party packs, clothing shoes, 200 sanitary pads and organised soup and bread through Shoprite Vangate. We are thankful to each and everyone that contributed to the success of the day,” said Mymoena Scholtz, founder of Where Rainbows Meet.

Some of the donors who handed over bicycles and goodie bags.

Volunteers from different organisations also came together on the day at Fairmount High School in Grassy Park to make and serve sandwiches to pupils from the school.

Retirees Imelda Schroeder, Terrence Klassen, Asa Ismail, Dex Klassen, Anton Janari, Fatima Molte and Elison Amos.

One of the organisers, Fatima Molte, said it was imperative to take part in such an important initiative, not just on the day but every day of the year.

“We always strive to do something for the betterment of the pupils at our school and Mandela Day is no different. So we reached out to retired teachers, and other organisations in the area to come on board and help us make and distribute sandwiches to our learners.”

Sophia van Niekerk, Mary Morris, Magdalene Abrahams and Marilyn Isaacs from M.I Community Service Cafda.

Ms Molte thanked all the volunteers and encouraged others to take part in community-building activities.

Part of the retiree group, former principal Terrence Klassen, said it was always a pleasure to be back at the school, to help out when needed and said Mandela Day was no different.

Faldela Martin volunteered on Mandela Day.

Faldiela Martin, who helps out at the school twice a week on a voluntary basis, said it was an honour to give back to the school and help where she can.

Liza Meyers, Belinda van Wyk, Tarique and Faiqah Semaar from Softspot, Timeless Care for seniors.

“It is such a pleasure to still be able to give back to the school and the learners. Mandela Day is but one day out of the year so we strive to emulate it every day.”

Ashley Lindewal, Reece Prins and Zeke Fillies from the Columba Leadership programme.