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In celebration of Nelson Mandela Day, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Soweto Motorbike School and Yamaha, donated essential items to Tshepang Care Centre in Tembisa, bringing hope and much-needed support to vulnerable children.
The donations, valued at approximately R65 000, included stoves, blankets, bedding, a heat press machine, stationery, 40 litres of paint, large cooking pots and groceries to help improve the living conditions of children at the centre. Tshepang Care Centre provides care and shelter for orphaned, abused and vulnerable children in the community.
Speaking during the programme, Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, acknowledged that although the centre is not yet registered with the Department, steps are already underway to ensure it becomes compliant and eligible for government funding.
“As a Department, we are committed to working with the centre to ensure it is registered and compliant so that it can benefit from departmental funding. Our social workers have already begun the registration process,” said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Reflecting on the significance of Mandela Day, the MEC called on South Africans to continue serving their communities beyond the annual 67-minute campaign.”As we celebrate Mandela Day, let us remember that every seed planted today represents our collective determination to defeat hunger, restore dignity and build resilient communities,” she said.
“The greatest tribute we can pay to Madiba is not found in 67 minutes alone, but in ensuring that our actions continue improving lives every day of the year,” she added.
Representing the Soweto Motorbike School, Alfred “King Donut” Matamela said the initiative demonstrated the power of collaboration and compassion.
“The little we have collected from bikers and various donors is our way of making a difference in the lives of these children in the true spirit of Nelson Mandela,” said Matamela.
The day’s activities continued at KwaThema Day Care Centre and Lefa-Ifa Secondary School, where MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko joined volunteers in painting facilities as part of the Mandela Day campaign.
MEC also donated 14 buckets of paint, together with rollers, brushes and roller extensions, to support the refurbishment of the two institutions. In addition, she handed over dignity packs to vulnerable learners at Lefa-Ifa Secondary School.
The Mandela Day outreach is part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to strengthening partnerships with communities, the private sector and civil society to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families across Gauteng.
INFO SUPPLIED.