Emalahleni – “I love Madiba because he cares about children,” said a smiling Masabatha Tamane, shortly after being given a gift pack with brand new school uniform.
Masabatha, 10, a Grade 2 learner at the Dunbar Primary School in Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, is one of several learners who were recipients of school uniforms when Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba went to the area to commemorate Mandela Day on Thursday.
While the elder statesman, who turns 95, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital, millions of South Africans dedicated 67 minutes of their time to give back to causes of their choice – a gesture widely embraced as a form of thanking Mandela for his sacrifices during the struggle.
Gigaba, who was accompanied by the Eskom Foundation and Kusile Power Station, traded in his suit and tie and slipped on a blue worksuit – branded with the words “Nelson Mandela Day” – to honour the former President.
Gigaba’s first stop in Emalahleni was at the Mmagobane Primary School, where four new classrooms are being built at the cost of R800 000. There, Gigaba, interacted with school children, planted trees, picked up a hand shovel and laid bricks at the site where the classrooms are being built.
At the Dunbar Primary School, Gigaba told leaners that Madiba loved children, and to always value the importance of education, telling them that with education, they can pursue their dreams and be smarter than their peers.
“What did Madiba teach us?” Gigaba asked the children.
“To love and respect each other,” one learner answered.
He later went on to say that Madiba taught the world to look after children and to provide for them, and said that is why he decided to come to the school. “We love you,” he said.
Khayalethu Magagula, 11, who is in Grade 4, said he wanted to be a doctor when he grows up.
“I have only seen Mandela on TV, but I still love him because he teaches us to listen to our parents and have respect at school,” Khayalethu said. – SANews.gov.za
