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3 Apr 2012

The Department of Basic Education in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and several partners in education is gearing up to launch the International Mandela Day on Tuesday 10 April 2012 in Houghton, Johannesburg. Mandela Day is marked across the world on July 18 every year, to inspire every person to take action to help change the world for the better and in doing so, build a global movement for good.

The Department of Basic Education will reaffirm the Mandela Day theme: “Take Action. Inspire Change. Make Every Day Mandela Day” by launching 94 Schools Project For Madiba, a unique way of celebrating former President Nelson Mandela’s 94^th birthday this year, while leaving a permanent mark in the country’s school infrastructure.

“Our main objective is to mobilise maximum resources and support from various sectors of society to address the infrastructure backlog in at least 94 schools in the poorest communities. The 94 Schools Project originate in the former President’s strong view on the importance of education, and his world acclaimed efforts to build an equitable system of education in South Africa”, says Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.

The 94 Projects build on ongoing initiatives led by the Department of Basic Education in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to mobilise communities to support education initiatives, by invoking a spirit of volunteerism and sharing responsibility to improve the education system. The Project will assist to fast-track basic renovation in identified schools, including among others: installation of water and sanitation facilities, providing school furniture, revamping of administration blocks, fencing, painting and providing well-resourced libraries and laboratories where possible.

The list of 94 schools to be targeted, chosen according to dire need, through media reports, those with historical significance, and those at which infrastructural upgrade is already taking place through partnerships, will be announced by Minister Motshekga and the Nelson Mandela Foundation at a launch to be hosted by Chairperson of the Shanduka Adopt-A-School Foundation Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.

Details are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Time: 10h00 for 10h30, followed by media briefing at 12:30
Venue: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory at the Nelson Mandela Foundation107 Central  Street, Houghton, Johannesburg

Let’s all join this partnership….Let’s do it for education…Let’s do it for Madiba!

RSVP:
Panyaza Lesufi (Basic Education)
Cell: 071 680 6849

Sello Hatang
Nelson Mandela Foundation
Cell: 082 868 9944

Issued by: Department of Basic Education
3 Apr 2012

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