The Huawei Technologies and Imbumba foundation joined forces with Nelson Mandela Foundation, Africa Seriti Institute, APPSolve, Jubilee Mall, McDonald and Dischem to celebrate great achievement and also to activate Nelson Mandela Day at Lehwelereng Secondary school in Hammanskraal Kanana extension 2 yesterday.
Lehwelereng Secondary school was nominated for the program after its last year matric performance which is 92% pass rate. Young girls were received 580 sanitary pads by the stakeholders as part of Nelson Mandela activation. The stakeholders also donated food, painted the principal’s office and offered educational tutorials for the learners.
Huawei Technologies donated a library as a surprise to the school and also promised to work with the school to introduce the learners into the world of technology.
Lukhun Zhao, general manager of Huawei South Africa said “education is a vital element of ensuring a positive future for South Africa, and young girls should not have to miss a day of school due to not having access to sanitary towels. In the spirit of Mandela Day, Huawei wants to create a more meaningful long-term impact on the lives of the less fortunate, and joins the Imbumba Foundation is their aim of raising enough funds to ensure that 1 million girls have access to sanitary towels,” he said.
Mr Richard Mabaso, Chief Executive Officer of Imbumba foundation said ” today we decided that in partnership with the school and many different stake holders, we should come together and put a plan were we can create a platform for different organizations, companies, individuals, high profile personalities to come together and do good in the name of Nelson Mandela.
“The purpose of Imbumba foundation is to raise funds and buy sanitary pads to make sure that young girls have access to adequate sanitary pads,” said Mr Mabaso.
Elizabeth Nyake Ntsimbi, Acting Deputy Principal of Lehwelereng Secondary school said “We feel so honoured and fortunate to have been nominated by so many organizations to come and celebrate Nelson Mandela month with us. We would like to thank each and every hand that have made it possible for this day to be a success”.
Television personality, Clement Maosa, Known as Kwaito, from Skeem Saam, also shared his life journey story with the learners and motivated them to study hard. He also taught them about challenges of life and how he used to be discouraged by people on his acting career.
“People used to tell me that I am too dark for television and that I cannot make it. If I can do it, you also can. I experienced many challenges after losing my parents because they were my only source of income, but I never stopped dreaming,” he said.
Ntombezinhle Jiyani known as DJ Zinhle and her friend Nomuzi Mabena as well as Miss South Africa , Matapa Maila Rikhotso, also participated by motivating learners to read books.
