Pretoria – Children at the Asiphile Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD), in Molweni, were full of smiles, on Monday, when they were given food parcels, blankets, mattresses, toys and furniture.
A team of department officials and volunteers from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury exchanged their smart office clothes with overalls as they dedicated their 67 minutes to lending a helping hand on Mandela Day.
Armed with a roller brush and a bucket of paint, the team painted the wooden structure that housed 45 children and planted a bed of seedlings at the centre’s garden.
They also donated money boxes to the children and encouraged them to save at an early age.
"We must instil the culture of saving in our children early so that they will grow up with a solid foundation on saving. We want to create a future generation of savers. This is necessary if we are to improve the economy of this province and South Africa,” said Head of the Department, Simiso Magagula.
He said saving is the solid foundation from which to grow the economy.
Speaking about the late former President Nelson Mandela, Magagula said Mandela was a champion for goodwill, and people should follow his footsteps by extending their loving hearts to build a better future.
Founder of Asiphile ECD Centre, Nonsikelelo Gwamanda, said the donation would go a long way to improve the lives of children at the centre.
"Our crèches in this area are in great need for development. Today's event gives us hope that government is listening to our call for development. We want a government that respond to our needs," she said.
Early in the day, Magagula visited the Comfort Zone Crèche in kwaNyuswa, where they also donated food, toys, mattresses and blankets to children. – SAnews.gov.za
