In a touching ceremony held on Monday 23 February, the Nelson Mandela Foundation presented 10 braille copies of Madiba’s autobiography, The Long Walk to Freedom, to learners at Prinshof School for the Visually Impaired in Pretoria.
The books were sponsored by the Foundation’s partner Eqstra Fleet Management, and form part of an ongoing literacy drive that focuses on education, literacy and cultures of learning and reading as key interlinking aspects of Madiba's legacy.
Foundation Chief Executive, Sello Hatang, Eqstra’s managing director, JD du Plessis and the school’s principal, Karin Swart are pictured after the book handover with Tintswalo Sibiya and Thuto Nthebere, two of the learners who will benefit from the donation in the future. (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)
The braille initiative, set to become a national drive this year, gives visually impaired learners access to Madiba’s life story and the monumental legacy he left behind, an important narrative they might otherwise not have been exposed to.
Principal of Prinshof, Karin Swart, said a fundamental theme at the school this year was dreaming big and looking at the future with a sense of wonder.
“We never want our children to be limited in any way to how they see themselves in the future. They are able to accomplish anything. A gesture like this makes those dreams come true,” she said.
JD du Plessis of Eqstra echoed this sentiment, and said it was an amazing opportunity for the organisation to lend their weight to the Foundation’s literacy initiative.
“At Eqstra we strongly believe in equal opportunities, and that the youth are the future of this country. I think my generation will be judged on two things. Firstly, how have we managed to ensure our sustainability? And secondly, have we given the youth the necessary tools to cope with that in future?” said Du Plessis. “This donation forms part of that, and will help ensure that Tata’s legacy is carried from one generation to the next.”
Before putting the books in the school library for all the learners to enjoy, these youngsters, Ayanda Radebe and Riaan Oosthuizen, were first to get their hands on the books. (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)
Chief Executive of the Foundation, Sello Hatang, said that as a society, we often take talent for granted.
“Talent knows no disability. We all have the potential to achieve great things in life. We hope you enjoy reading Madiba’s book, and as you read it, know that he carried a special place in his heart for children like you. We hope his story will enrich your lives.”
Young Johanna Skosana, smiling bashfully from all the media attention, keenly admitted she was excited to one day read The Long Walk to Freedom.
“I love him [Mandela] and I miss him so much,” she said.