Cotlands celebrates Mandela Day by launching mobile toy library in Pretoria

"Cotlands is the perfect partner to Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital on this, Madiba's birthday. Through our 'From Kids for Kids' campaign we encourage children and youth to share and give back to other children in need and, through both projects, we strive to ensure a bright and promising future for all children in South Africa," said NMCH CEO, Sibongile Mkhabela.

Since 2012, when Cotlands shifted its child-care model to focus more on early learning opportunities, the organisation has embarked on using toy libraries as a vehicle to drive access to quality educational resources.

Access to early learning opportunities

Micasa lead singer J'Something was impressed by the concept of a toy library saying "this is fantastic. It would be great to see more." After a tour of the Cotlands facility in Turffontein, he added, "Well done on doing such an amazing job and being a positive influence on this community."

To mark Mandela Day Cotlands also launched its first mobile toy library in Pretoria. The mobile toy library sponsored by Exxaro will provide children in Mooiplaas and Olievenhoutbosch with access to early learning opportunities through the play sessions being offered by the mobile toy library.

"It is wonderful see the faces of the children light up when they see the mobile toy library. It's an amazing feeling to know that we are able to provide children with opportunities to learn through play in their early years which will see them thrive in their later years at school," said Cotlands chief operations officer Monica Stach.

For more information, go to www.cotlands.org.za.