By Kopano Monaheng
EVERY year on 18 July, the world commemorates Nelson Mandela Day, a day dedicated to encouraging individuals and organisations to give back to their communities through acts of service and generosity.
For many private companies, the day provides an opportunity to donate resources to disadvantaged schools, charities and community organisations to help improve their circumstances. This year, Rehoboth Global Network, and partners, M-KOPA marked Mandela Day by donating a laptop to Thabisang Primary School in Soweto.
Speaking at the event, Rehoboth Global Network CEO and President Thabang Moshidi said the organisation wanted to make a meaningful contribution that would have a lasting impact on pupils.
“Every year we choose a community or institution where we can make a difference. This year we selected Thabisang Primary School in Soweto,” said Moshidi .
He said instead of simply cleaning the school, they decided to donate a laptop that will benefit both pupils and educators. He added that the organisation also used the occasion to discuss the township economy and South Africa’s unemployment crisis.
“We are here to celebrate Mandela Day, but also to have important conversations about the township economy and unemployment in South Africa. We want to see positive change in this country and encourage more people and organisations to play their part in creating opportunities that will help fight unemployment,” he said.
Moshidi said collaboration between the private sector, communities and government was key to building a stronger economy and creating a brighter future for all South Africans.
Agnes Mthimkhulu, principal of Thabisang Primary School says the school’s success is built on responsible financial management and accountability rather than the amount of money it receives.
Mthimkhulu said she does not regard her school as a struggling school because every donation and every contribution from parents is managed with integrity and transparency.
“Every donation we receive is used with high integrity and accountability. Because of this, we make wise financial decisions and ensure that we buy from the right service providers without allowing ourselves to be overcharged,” she said.
She added that effective financial management has become one of the school’s greatest strengths.
“Even if you only collect two rand from a parent, you must know how to manage it, account for it and channel it correctly. As teachers, parents and the school’s finance committee, we are able to account for every cent that comes into the school and every cent that goes out.”
Mthimkhulu said the school carefully protects and maximises every donation it receives, especially considering many pupils come from disadvantaged families.
She also shared an emotional story after receiving a laptop as part of a Mandela Day donation.
“My laptop had stopped working and members of the school management wanted the school to buy me a new one. I refused because there were many other urgent needs at the school. One of the teachers kindly lent me her laptop so that I could continue working.”
Receiving a new laptop from the donors, she said, felt like an answer to prayer.
“It was as if God saw that I needed a laptop but did not want the school to spend its limited resources on me. I am overwhelmed with joy. This laptop is not for my personal benefit. It will be used to serve the school, our pupils, parents and teachers.”
She thanked the donors for their generosity, saying their contribution would strengthen the school’s ability to continue providing quality education despite limited resources.
It wouldn’t have been a complete celebration without Ward 38 Councillor Phindile Simelane in attendance. Her presence added to the significance of the occasion and reflected her continued support for the community.
Members of the community gathered in large numbers at Thabisang Primary School in Orlando West, Soweto, to commemorate Mandela Day by dedicating 67 minutes to giving back.
Members of the community had to register their names before entering the school hall.
