Mandela Day’s preparations bring joy to Ivory Park residents

The Ivory Park ANC branch in Ward 133 launched the Mandela Day and ThumaMina campaign at the Ivory Park Community Hall on July 8.

The branch also donated food parcels and pairs of school shoes to 40 families.

Branch chairperson Teboho Marumo confirmed that they had donated shoes, school backs and food parcels to the needy.

“The main task of the ANC branch is to advocate for the needs of society. As the branch we are promoting social advancement programmes aimed at alleviating the lot of the poor,” said Marumo.

“During the national election, and our door-to-door campaigns, we were able to identify families that were in desperate need for help,” said Clr Julia Gololo of Ward 133.

“Other children we saw wore broken shoes to school, while the main problem is that of housing and unemployment,” added Gololo.

Imran Butt, a businessman, said when he was approached for donation by the local ANC leadership, he felt obliged to help.

“As a business you must learn to give back. When I was asked to help, and when the 40 poor families were identified, I happily agreed to help,” said Butt.

The ANC Greater Midrand zonal chairperson Sello Lemao said as a former teacher he knows how it feels to be a learner without proper uniform.

“The donation is for the learners so they can learn how to fish, and not always expect handouts. Let them go to school to become future leaders of tomorrow,” said Lemao.

Princess Lukhele, a parent from Extension 7 Sakhile Section, said they are happy about the donated parcels.

“It is important for our children to dressed in full uniform when they go to school as some refuse to attend classes when they do not have proper uniform.

“This means a lot to us as some of us are not working,” said Lukhele.