Mbombela - Popular South African soapie stars will join Public Works, Roads and Transport MEC Clifford Mkansi this weekend to do their bit for Mandela Day.
Generations actor Katlego Danke, who plays the role of Dineo, and Rhythm City actor Nokthula Ledwaba, who plays the role of Tsidi, will be amongst 18 celebrities hosted by the provincial department in partnership with the non-governmental organisation, Ubuntu Helping Hand Institution.
The MEC, together with the celebrities, who will be dressed in overalls, will be at Pilgrim's Rest Secondary School where they will help paint a school, plant trees, cut grass and fix broken doors and windows. They will also help repair street lights.
"They will dedicate 67 minutes of their time giving back to communities," said department spokesperson, David Nkambule.
Other celebrities include musician Ihashi Elimhlophe, who will be bringing his family with him, Mbali Mlotswa who plays Lulu in Soul City, Linda Sokhulu who plays Cleo in Generations and Thobi Mkhwanazi, otherwise known as Yoliswa in Mthunzini.com.
The Ubuntu Helping Hand Institute is an NGO founded by international movie star Baby Cele who is an ambassador for change.
The celebrities will also do community work on Saturday, in the Albert Luthuli Municipality, which is based in Carolina. They will visit underprivileged families in the area, as well patients at the Embhuleni hospital outside Badplaas, and residents of the Cheshire home for the disabled in Eerstehoek.
Nkambule said the celebrities would participate in motivational programmes for abused women and children and people with HIV/AIDS.
"The celebrities will also visit hospitals and hospices to give moral support," he said.
The aim of Mandela Day is to encourage all South Africans to contribute 67 minutes of their time to doing good works for others, in honour of the 67 years that Mandela dedicated to social and political activism
