“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
This was former SA President Nelson Mandela’s words at the launch of the Children’s Fund in 1995.
Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau said what set Mandela Day apart from other commemorative events was that it wasn’t a holiday where everyone stayed away from work or indulged in leisurely activities.
“Its a day of positive work, inspired by the theme: Take action; inspire change, make everyday a Mandela Day.”
Tau said municipal employees painted the Entokozweni Day Care Centre as part of the Mandela Day activities.
Celebrating the world icon’s 95th Birthday at the Metropolis conference in Sandton, delegates and mayors assembled toys which were donated to the Entokozweni Day Care Centre in Alexandra.
Principal at the Day Care centre Mom Flora said the centre took care of 50 children a day. “We serve breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks everyday.” She said children were the future and they needed to be loved and taken care of.
The kids sang songs and recited poems dedicated to Madiba live on Radio 2000. They also broadcast birthday messages to the icon.