Paradys cast marks Mandela Day with school makeover in Eldorado Park
The cast of Paradys, together with SABC 2 and Black Brain Pictures, celebrated Mandela Day by investing in Willow Crescent Secondary School and its future.
Willow Cresent Secondary School principal Olivia Hill along with her children and learners plant new trees.
Willow Crescent Secondary School received much-needed donations and helping hands from Black Brain Pictures, SABC 2 and the cast of the television drama Paradys during a Mandela Day initiative on July 18.
The team spent the day cleaning the school grounds, developing the food garden and donating gardening tools, plants and outdoor benches as part of a long-term contribution to the school.
Volunteers remove weeds from the garden.
According to Lawrancia Mqwebu of Black Brain Pictures, the production company and SABC 2 chose to celebrate Mandela Day by giving back to a school that embodies the values reflected in the television drama series Paradys, which is set in the Eldorado Park community.
“We want to contribute to the essence of the community, and we believe children are the heart of every community,” said Mqwebu.
She said the team sought advice from actor Zane Meas, who plays Reverend Frankie in Paradys.
The team using new plastic watering can to water the vegetables.
“He guided us through a list of schools, and Willow Crescent stood out. This school has a very good reputation and is one of the pillars of the Eldorado Park community. The learners have great potential, and there are many positive activities taking place at the school.”
In addition to improving the school grounds, Black Brain Pictures, SABC 2 and Media City Academy donated gardening equipment, strawberry and avocado plants, and outdoor benches branded with the broadcaster’s and television show’s names.
Mqwebu said the aim was to leave behind resources that would continue benefiting learners long after Mandela Day.
The deputy treasurer of the school’s governing body, Sebastian Anthony Peterson, thanked the team for its support, saying the donations would make a significant difference at the no-fee school.
“We are grateful for everything that has been done for us today. Having gardening tools such as wheelbarrows and garden forks is a huge asset because these are items we will continue using in the future,” he said.
Lawrancia Mqwebu from Black Brain Pictures.
Peterson said the initiative demonstrated the power of unity, with people from different organisations working alongside learners and teachers to improve the school environment.
“When we unite, there are no colour or language barriers. We work together, and that is what Mandela Day is all about. Together we can help Willow Crescent flourish.”
Working together, volunteers remove weeds from the school garden.
For Eldorado Park-born actor Dillan Park, who plays Lionel Erasmus, also known as Richie Rich, in Paradys, returning to give back to his community was especially meaningful.
“It’s nice to be back home. This could easily have been my high school because I grew up just minutes away,” he said.
Park said that although Eldorado Park faces many social challenges, initiatives such as school food gardens give young people an opportunity to develop valuable life skills while creating safe spaces.
“With more initiatives like this, young people can learn how to provide for themselves through skills such as growing vegetables instead of spending time on the streets,” he said.
New benches donated to Willow Crescent Secondary School provide a lasting reminder of the Mandela Day initiative as principal Olivia Hill and the Paradys cast gather for a photo.
Park added that community development should not be limited to one day of service. He pointed to his own Theatre Against Gangsterism initiative, which uses the arts to help young people stay away from crime.
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My name is Itumeleng Modiba, I am a multi-media mid weight journalist with five years experience in local print and online media. I obtained a National diploma in Journalism from Tshwane University of Technology.
