Madiba inspires primary school charity

Senior citizens of Ethembeni Old Age Home in Joza were treated to a special lunch to mark Nelson Mandela’s birthday on Friday.

Senior citizens of Ethembeni Old Age Home in Joza were treated to a special lunch to mark Nelson Mandela’s birthday on Friday.

NV Cewu Primary School teachers and pupils were inspired to cook and prepare a meal in honour of the Mandela Day ‘67 minutes’ project. 

The United Nations adopted 18 July as International Mandela Day in honour of the 67 years that South Africa’s first democratically elected president had given in service of the country.

Led by teachers Ncediwe Mali and Thami Skweyiya, the NV Cewu Choir were warmly received by the elderly. Before breaking bread with the learners, centre manager Grace Ngcete thanked the teachers for making the day possible.

“You are young and precious, so please don’t even think of doing drugs like other learners I often see smoking. Girls, you must be proud of yourselves and take very good care and beware of underage pregnancy and the same goes for you boys, wait for the right time to do adult things,” Ngete told learners.

Ngcete also said learners should not misuse their rights because in her younger days, many children suffered for education as they were beaten by teachers as punishment.

The choir then performed songs including Umoya oyingwele (Holy Spirit), Akekh’ofananawe (There is none like You), lead by Yolanda Bonani and Zwelethu Ndabeni who mixed their vocal skills with a bit of acting.

Before lunch was served, everyone sang a birthday song for Madiba. Then the senior residents enjoyed their special meal, complimenting the school and the cooks.

Community care
One of the senior citizens, 78-year-old Mimise Mafana reflected on the ’50s when she was arrested and sent to East London prison (then-known as Kwa-Nongqongqo) for not having a ‘dompas’ [pass book].

“It was never easy, you would be arrested just for not possessing a dompas in town after 9pm and in prison we used to work extremely hard, cracking rocks. If one of you would do wrong then you’d all be in trouble,” she said.

Teacher Skweyiya said: “We are following the values of Mandela, celebrating his 92nd birthday and I am happy that we managed to make the elderly people happy. They really need the care and the community should be involved in such activities.”