Mandela Day

18 July is celebrated as Mandela Day across the world. Each year in commemoration of this auspicious day, we take 67 minutes of our schedules and dedicate this time to a worthwhile cause.

This year, the Department of Social Development (DSD) celebrated in a variety of ways. Here is an indication of how we celebrated Mandela Day - DSD style

DSD Head Office: Employees at DSD Head office united in song at 08:00 to sing a special Happy Birthday song to Tata Madiba. The initiative formed part of the Department of Basic Education's historic ambition to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most amount of people to sing Happy Birthday to a single individual.

West Coast Region: The Eiland Huis for persons with disabilities was identified as a facility in need of household items including food. A wish list as provided by the facility included non-perishable items. Staff members from the West Coast Regional Office opened their hearts and pockets and contributed to the purchase of groceries. In addition, members of staff brought their own garden utensils to mow the lawn, cut the trees and clean the garden, which will be done on rotation basis in future.

Piketberg Local Office: On Mandela Day, staff members from the West Coast Region, specifically at the Piketberg local office of the Department of Social Development, visited Maxwill Cloete, an eight-year-old boy who is wheelchair bound. The circumstances at Maxwill's home were not conducive to a person with disabilities, but Social Development staff took it upon themselves to make the home more accessible. In addition, a donation of paint was obtained which was used to paint the home and brighten up Maxwill's home.

Vredendal and Clanwilliam Local Office: Staff members from the Vredendal and Clanwilliam local office developed a family day programme where parents together with their children could participate in a parenting skills-based programme. The event had a parent focus in the form of a parenting skills information session. The programme encompassed a child focus where a sport programme was presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. Parents who were found to be in need of care were identified in the community and blankets were distributed to them. Approximately 400 learners from the Kapel and Spruitdrift Primary Schools were part of the target community. In addition, 93 parents (predominantly mothers) were identified as beneficiaries for the programme.

Metro North Region: DSD staff members sang Happy Birthday to Madiba in addition to feeding the community members of the Malawi camp and the Takkagat informal settlement.

Metro South Region: The Mitchell's Plain local office went to the Phillippi horticultural area to distribute soup to members of the community in the area. Members of staff visited four informal sites: Smallville, Jim se Bos, Egoli and Jabula Trust Farm.

Overberg Region: Staff members of the Overberg Region visited a farm called Ezeljacht in Uniondale where books and party packs were handed out to children on the farm that were identified to be in need of care. In addition members of staff painted the Mollen River partial care facility in Uniondale. Staff members along with the Regional Director, Ms Marie Hendricks provided community members with a meal and entertained the children by playing games with them.

Staff members from Social Development Head Office lending their voices to enter the Guinness Book of Records.	West Coast Regional Office staff mowing the lawn at Eiland House, a facility for persons with disabilities.
Piketberg Local Office staff members painting young Maxwill's home.	Metro North Regional Office staff members singing Happy Birthday to Madiba.
Ravensmead staff members serving soup to the community of Malawi camp.	Milnerton Local Office staff members serving food to the community of Takkagat informal settlement.