Reflecting on Madiba’s legacy
Gamalakhe Community Health Centre's public relations officer Radebe Lifa said food parcels were donated at Othandweni Cerebral Palsy Day Care Centre while clothes were donated in Masinenge.
In celebration of Mandela Day, the Gamalakhe Community Health Centre visited Othandweni Cerebral Palsy Day Care Centre and the Masinenge Informal Settlement after hundreds of people were left homeless after a fire.
The community health centre’s public relations officer, Radebe Lifa said food parcels were donated at Othandweni while clothes were donated in Masinenge.
Radebe said staff donated clothing and food items.
“Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on July 18 to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. This day is a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to take time to reflect on Mandela’s values, principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities. It was also declared Nelson Mandela International Day, but as South Africans, we embrace the chance to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life for the whole of July. This gives everyone the opportunity to heed the call to action for people to recognise their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them,” said Radebe, adding that this year’s theme was ‘The Legacy Lives on Through You: Climate, Food and Solidarity’.
He explained that the theme was a call to action to take steps to address climate change, food insecurity and to show solidarity with those who are most affected by these issues.
“On this day, the health centre identified two places that are in need, the Othandweni Cerebral Palsy Day Care Centre and the KwaMasinenge Informal Settlement,” he said.
The manager of Othandweni, Thembani Luvuno said since the centre stated operating in 1995, they are not receiving any support from the government.
She further added that the number of children they take care of has been increasing and thank the health centre and other stakeholders who always remember them on days such as Mandela Day.
Also, Luleka Magigaba, a ward committee member in Masinenge thanked the health centre under the Department of Health for visiting them during Mandela Day.
“The donated clothes will be shared among the residents who were affected by the fire,” said Magigaba.
Radebe said that the initiative was started by the community health centre in 2021, saying that they have never looked back.
He added that with the support they are getting from the management and staff, they wish to take the initiative to households that cannot afford supper or breakfast.
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