Burger King SA supports early childhood development for Mandela Day

19 Jul 2018

Mandela Day serves as a reminder that each individual has the power to transform the world and has the ability to make an impact. On 18 July 2018, the team at Burger King South Africa® unveiled the new and improved facilities at the Inamandla Day Care Centre, in Khayelitsha. The new structure serves as a kitchen, as well as a sickbay and office to support the thirty youngsters (all under the age of 5) who attend the early childhood development (ECD) centre.

Research shows that the first five years of a child’s life is of critical importance for brain development. However, it is no secret that children are often the victims of neglect, with limited access to good health, nutrition and a safe, supportive environment.

Ezelna Jones, Group Marketing Executive at Burger King SA®, explains that the Inamandla Day Care Centre was established in 2011 with the intent to provide the children who attend the day care with the necessary healthcare and nutrition facilities. However, the tiny solid brick structure has grown unsafe and over-crowded.

“It is our hope that this refurbished centre, provided by Breadline Africa, will give Khanyisa Matholeni, the principal at the Inamandla Day Care, a space to continue making a positive impact in the community,” says Jones.

Matholeni says, “Inamandla translates to ‘I have power’ in Xhosa, and with support from brands like Burger King® and organisations like Breadline Africa, we continue to have the power to give back to the community and care for children in the area.”

Jones adds, “Supporting children and education is a cause that has always been close to the team at Burger King®. As a global brand we partner with the Burger King McLamore Foundation (BKMF), and through this foundation we have contributed to building six fully sustainable schools, stocked over seven thousand books, and dedicated 1,500 hours of teacher training in South Africa in 2017 alone.”

Jones concludes, “We encourage everyone to continue living Mandela’s legacy each day of the year.”