Edufundi celebrates reading on Mandela Day

The date 18 July 2018 this year marks the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela and a renewed global commitment to the legacy of South Africa’s most beloved icon. Momentous events have been held across the globe such as the address by former US President Barack Obama in Johannesburg; the opening of exhibitions dedicated to Mandela’s life at London’s Southbank Centre in collaboration with the Apartheid Museum and Anti-Apartheid Movement Archives; and a United Nations exhibition entitled “Building on the Legacy of Nelson Mandela” at its UN New York headquarters.

In 2009 #MandelaDay, #BetheLegacy was launched as a call to action to individuals, institutions and corporates to honour Mandela by volunteering 67 minutes of time and services to the needs of local communities.

“Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in future as future leaders.” Nelson Mandela

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela

Bizcommunity, which annually devotes the entire month of July to showcasing the Mandela-inspired CSI activity of our business communities, this year chose to showcase acclaimed educational NGO Edufundi (formerly Edupeg) as part of a Reading Corners Project at Ikhwezilesizwe Primary, in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.

Over 300 Xhosa and English books, carefully selected to suit the reading level of learners were donated by sponsors TsogoSun and Corevest. Where previously independent reading may not have been taking place due to the scarcity of resources and not having levelled books in the classrooms, Edufundi mentors and sponsors now assist the schools to ensure that the reading corners are integrated into daily teachings.

The Edufundi approach which is based on vital teacher support programmes, currently provides in-classroom support and mentorship to 48 primary schools across four provinces in South Africa, impacting 286 teachers and indirectly benefiting the 12,221 children they teach. Besides mentoring the mentors, best-practice NGO experience within the Edufundi team extends to implementing and streamlining systems, developing training material, managing grants, fundraising, marketing and outreach programmes.

The Biz team were privileged to be welcomed by wonderful spirit and singing at the special assembly at which the school principal explained to the learners about the significance of Mandela Day. Learners were also addressed by Edufundi CEO Taryn Casey and Intermediate Phase Mentor Ntsiki Ntusikazi. Thereafter volunteers joined the teachers in their classrooms for the presentation of the books to learners, to witness firsthand the avid engagement with words and pictures on topics such as soccer, animals and Mandela himself, as our Grade 3 class appropriately unpacked a book entitled UMnumzana Mvundla Uhlangana noMnumzana Mandela by Chris van Wyk and Paddy Bouma, which was read aloud by a very accomplished young lady to enthusiastic response by her classmates.

A huge thank you to the principal, vice-principal, teachers and staff of Ikhwezilesizwe Primary, the Edufundi team, especially mentor and educational author Ntsiki Ntusikazi, sponsors TsogoSun and Corevest and the learners for their warm hospitality.

For more visit the Bizcommunity #MandelaMonth Special Section. Click here to find out more about Edufundi programmes.

#Mandela100 #67Minutes #MandelaMonth #MandelaCentenary #BetheLegacy