Mandela Day support for Alex children focuses on dignity and practical care
Ekukhanyeni Day Care in Alexandra received support from local senior citizens and the TNT Foundation, who offers more than donations, but also time and life lessons to learners.
Mandela Day commemorations in Alexandra took on a tangible focus this year, as elders from the Uniting Reformed Senior Citizens (URSC) Club teamed up with the TNT Foundation to support children at Ekukhanyeni Day Care. The gesture went beyond charity, placing emphasis on dignity, self-care, and everyday readiness.
URSC chairperson Mamoraka Mogane said the partnership was about more than giving; it was a community obligation to give back, in demonstration of love, and in the spirit of Mandela day. “Though we are a non-profit organisation, which is not funded, we took money out of our own pockets to show love to our grandchildren by buying them something.”
Read more: Acting mayor highlights Alexandra’s issue of inequality on Mandela Day
The group provided snack packs and spent time reading with the children, positioning their presence as an act of kindness and encouragement the children needed.
The Mandela Day initiative builds upon TNT’s already existing foundation of generosity. Even before July 18, the foundation had been involved in charity work for the benefit of children and youth.
The foundation’s founder, Ntebo Phahlane, said TNT has been providing hygiene packs to learners in early childhood development (ECD) centres to encourage them to take care of themselves. Phahlane explained that they collect items like soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes for ECD centres, but what is more important is the message they are trying to get across to children. “For you to be a better person in life, you have to look after yourself. You should be able to clean yourselves, brush your teeth, and smell good.”
Young people face barriers, not just in opportunity, but in presentation, particularly when entering the workforce. “Not all of them finishing matric will go to universities. Some will have to be employed, and the challenge is what they’re going to wear on the day.”
She explained, that is why they also collect formal attire for both young men and women, to ensure that they look presentable to their prospective employers at their first meeting.
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