In closing Mandela Month, the Hon MEC Pemmy Majodina, painted the Komani arts centre, handed over 30 trees to Luvuyo Lerume school, blankets to the elderly, handed over 100 bicycles donated over by MTN’s Angie Makoba.
This was all done in partnership with the Executive Mayor of Enoch Mgijima, Sisisi Tolashe, MPL Thozama Mantashe, MTN’s Angie Maloka councillors from Sakhisizwe, Nyandeni, Walter Sisulu and Senqu Munipalities and the top management of the department and regional management under the leadership of Zamile Kalako.
As the leadership planted trees in the Luvuyo Lerumo school, named after a fallen stalwart, the Hon MEC graced the hoisting of the South African and school flag in the school. Furthermore, the Hon MEC gave a motivational speech to the children of Luvuyo Lerumo “No children of this school must smoke Nyaope, all of you must pass your matric with flying colours”
The delegation planted thirty trees as a symbol of growth. The Hon MEC said “As we remember the centenary of Tata Mandela and as we commemorate this Mandela Month, we will plant these trees, we will leave, but it is your responsibility as the learners to look after these trees” “Sone time next year, at this time, we must come and inspect these trees, even you students, in Universities where you will be, you must come and see these trees grow”
The main event and the highlight of the day took place at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sports Centre. The department in partnership with MTN donated one hundred bicycles to schools in Enoch Mgijima, Sakhisizwe, Nyandeni and Walter Sisulu Municipalities. The number of the bicycles is in line with the theme of hundred years of Tata Nelson Mandela. These bicycles were targeted mainly for pupils who travel long distances to school. Each bicycle comes with a helmet, wheel pump and spanner. “Shorten the distance, motivate a child, touch a life” the MEC declared to an enthusiastic audience.
Angie Maloka of the MTN Foundation stated that the bicycles were not a donation, but an investment and the return is that the pupils must pass. According to her, her office had informed her the previous day that they would be adding ten more bicycles so the department will get a total of one hundred and ten bicycles. She concluded her message by appealing to the parents of the learners to encourage and support their children to go to school.
The Department of Transport made a contribution of sixty reflector vests as part of their road safety campaign. The elderly received a donation of forty blankets: twenty from Public Works and twenty from Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality. The local municipality also received seven bus shelters for job seekers who currently stand at street corners.
By: Sivuyise Ntuli
