Mandela Day is an annual celebration that takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of South African president Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela. This day is a call to action for individuals, communities and organisations to take time to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities. Every year, South Africans donate 67 minutes or more of their time to helping those in need; whether through donations, time or financially. This year on Mandela Day, respected businessman, Patilizwe ‘Pat’ Mdoda, the father of radio personality Anele Mdoda and actress Tembisa Nxumalo partnered with brands to unveil a new Childhood Development Centre at Ncembu, KuTsolo village, in the Eastern Cape, where he grew up and attended his first grade in a mud hut. 

MAKING A CHANGE

The project began when Pat and the Mdoda family responded to the President’s Special Project on Early Childhood Education. The school has an administration building; a library, a sick bay, a computer lab and a secure room for valuable school supplies. It also has a classroom building with two classrooms that can each hold up to 30 learners and a storage room, a service building with a kitchen and storeroom, four children’s restrooms and one adult restroom and an additional overflow classroom that can hold 15 learners. "The facility is ready to use with furniture, equipment and appliances already installed," Pat says adding that, "The Mdoda family is committed to ensuring that the facility provides top class children stimulation and tuition." 

PROUD

The principal of the school, Bongani Combi, showed his gratitude. "This is an important task and we as Ncembu Primary School are extremely grateful for the opportunity that Mr. Pat Mdoda and sponsors gave our school, having to watch building this incredible Childhood Development Centre for our learners was very priceless." Anele has also praised his father for the job well done and kind-hearted gesture. "The school my father is building in our village-Ncembu kuTsolo," she wrote in the caption of photos at the construction site. "My father attended grade one in a hut on the very ground he has built this school on."