By BAKANG MOKOTO
North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi has joined the global village in celebrating Nelson Mandela Day. In honour of this significant day, Motsumi spent her 67 minutes of community service at her alma mater, Stadt Primary School, where various stakeholders, including Old Mutual, North West University, National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT), Boxer Supermarket, Sparkling Waters, and Rosewood Hotel, extended a hand to donate services to the school.
She said as part of the celebration of former President Nelson Mandela’s birthday, they rolled their sleeves and painted the Grade R Block. Motsumi’s actions were mirrored by other stakeholders present, demonstrating a collective commitment to community service.
“We would like to commend the public-private partners for their generosity and dedication to building the South Africa that Nelson Mandela envisioned. The contributions made today are a testament to the power of community and partnership.
“These generous donations and acts of service not only enhance the lives of our learners, but also build the foundation of a better future for all. Together, we are fostering the South Africa that Nelson Mandela hoped for, one of unity, education, and opportunity,” she said.
Motsumi further said her department pleads for continued partnerships with stakeholders to profile the history of Stadt Primary School and ensure its legacy endures. She added that with an enrolment of 1050 learners, the school stands as a beacon of education and history.
“The day’s contributions included donations of sanitary towels, 100 pairs of shoes, food parcels to identified families, stationery, reading books to promote literacy and enrich the school library, as well as facilitated the painting of three Grade R classrooms,” said Motsumi.
Meanwhile, among the notable stakeholders, a community leader and former learner at the school, Dr Lekgenyane, adopted a learner at the school and committed to rendering psychosocial support to all learners continuously. Stadt Primary School, the first school in the Barolong area and former Batswanaland and it was built in 1878 and serves as a heritage site.
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