Reading to children is a simple way to get involved on Mandela Day
July 12, 2010 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation’s sister organisation, the Nelson Mandela Institute, launched its Mandela Day education initiative, entitled “Six ideas to step in”, at the Foundation’s offices on July 8, 2010.
The Institute, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Department of Basic Education, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Equal Education, READ Educational Trust, the Sunday Times and the June 16 1976 Youth Foundation, are encouraging people to get involved in education as part of their Mandela Day activities.
Mandela Day on July 18, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, is a public service day on which people are encouraged to make a positive contribution to their local communities. People worldwide are asked to spend at least 67 minutes paying tribute to the 67 years the Mr Mandela dedicated in the pursuit of social justice.
Speaking at the launch, Kimberley Porteus, executive director at the Nelson Mandela Institute, said: “We are putting out a clear and simple call: to take action in education on Mandela Day and then to make every day a Mandela Day.”
The idea behind Mandela Day is that every one of us can make a significant difference in our local communities by responding to the particular needs we find therein. The Institute is encouraging people to do something in their communities that will positively benefit the education sector.
The ideas they are proposing are six simple ways to enhance a child’s learning experience.
These are: to help create safe and cheery schools, to make or collect educational toys to donate to a disadvantaged school, to donate your favourite children’s storybook, to read to small children, to tell a story and to play with children.
At the launch, learners from all over the country spoke about the power of reading and how these six simple ideas would benefit those in disadvantaged communities.
Phathiswa Shushwana, a Grade 9 learner at the Luhlaza Secondary School in Khayelitsha and a member of Equal Education said: “I have been inspired to be a real future leader and I hope that the education crisis will come to an end.”
“It starts with a story book,” she said, referring to the fact that a child’s education is enhanced by access to books and other reading material.
Nomsa Mazwai, a poet, singer and activist who passionately supports public service work in education said: “We must have justice in education in our lifetime. The strategy of Mandela Day and what this call [to action] is about it that everybody has the ability to do something.”
“Education is a tool to empower and free people,” she said, emphasising that each of us is able to do something small to help someone else in honour of Mr Mandela.
Also at the launch was Reverend Thabo Makgoba, who emphasised that the Institute’s Mandela Day ideas are all very achievable and easy to implement.
He said: “I challenge you all to show your love and respect for Mr Mandela by showing your commitment to make fully stocked libraries for all children a reality.”
Basetsana Kumalo, South African television personality and businesswoman who also sits on the Institute’s board, spoke about her belief in Mandela Day. “Education is a tool to economically liberate yourself,” she said, emphasising that anything the public does to support education goes some way toward achieving this liberation.
If you are interested in getting involved on Mandela Day, read more about the “Six ideas to step in”. Alternatively, for some inspiration, read what other people plan on doing for Mandela Day.
Children reading at the launch
Children play with building blocks at the launch
Nomsa Mazwai is a spokesperson for the initiative