A fresh coat of blue paint, a little soap and water, some wax on the floors and a bit of elbow grease to clean classrooms, hallways and bathrooms at the Diepsloot Combined School were all that was needed to create a clean, fresh space for students to learn from.
Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor on Thursday rolled up her sleeves together with department officials and learners, who came to school during the holidays, to help clean and refurbish their school.
As part of her activities for Mandela Day, Minister Pandor also donated 40 computers, 11 laptops, two printers, 40 school uniforms and sanitary towels.
After the hard work, Minister Pandor encouraged the learners to focus on their studies so they can contribute in making South Africa a better country.
“We want you to be educated so that you can run this country. We want you to study maths and science.
"We want you to be intellectuals to change South Africa and the world,” the Minister said.
The Minister and the officials took part in painting and cleaning the school surroundings.
A learner at the school, Kelebogile Mankge, told SAnews that she was happy that the Minister helped paint their school. She said the new look and feel would create a fresh space for children to learn better.
Vusimuzi Sithole, told SAnews that he was happy because the Minister brought a new fresh look to their school which would encourage them to do well and pass their exams.
Every year on 18 July, South Africans together with the global community honour the late former President and international icon Nelson Mandela by celebrating the Nelson Mandela International Day.
The overarching objective of the day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good.
The Nelson Mandela International Day campaign asks individuals, groups and corporates to pledge 67 minutes of their time, and every day thereafter, to give back to communities.
It offers South Africans and the world an occasion to honour the ethos of the late former President Mandela.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation declared that this year’s campaign would focus on fighting poverty under the theme #ActionAgainstPoverty.
According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, poverty impacts the entire country and is the root cause of malnutrition, poor education, disease, skills deficit, unemployment, loss of dignity and even anger and violence. – SAnews.gov.za
