The Eastern Cape provincial government has kick-started Mandela Day, which will be celebrated on Saturday, by handing over Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and blankets to community centres around the Nelson Mandela Bay.
A number of MPLs were scattered throughout the metro handing the equipment as part of former statesman Nelson Mandela’s birthday celebrations.
Amongst the PPEs are 10 000 surgical masks, more than 600 face masks, 1 625 hand sanitisers and 431 blankets.
The donation was made courtesy of a partnership between the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the provincial government. The equipment was handed to 10 centres around the metro.
Provincial Legislature Speaker, Helen Sauls-August says the programme aims to lend a helping hand to those vulnerable during the pandemic.
“It’s a very trying time for them being away from family. Family can’t come and visit them and, at best, some of them we know haven’t had visitors in so many years. So, this is our small way of showing to them that Tata Madiba said nothing is impossible until it is done. I think that love he had for the people, that love he had for the children and everybody, I think that’s just our way as Legislature, working together through our district oversight model … how we can go about it in this time profiling that legacy.”
One of the community centers that received the PPEs and blankets was the Rosamunch Frail Care in Uitenhage.
Chairperson of the Rosamunch Committee, Valerie Rudman says the donation came at the right time.
“This really is our first donation and it means more than anything to us because we have been battling financially to purchase the PPEs and everything. So, it’s touching to the heart and to our nursing staff. They are going to greatly appreciate it as we go forward.”
Economic Development MEC, Mlungisi Mvoko says Friday’s programme was a bittersweet moment as the country laid to rest Mandela’s daughter, Zindzi Mandela, on the eve of his birthday.
Mvoko says we should preserve the values of Ubuntu that have been instilled by Madiba.
“There are so many people that are needy. We are that fortunate as well. As government, we need to go out and mobilise some resources for all those people that are needy and that is what Madiba would have wanted and that is what he would have done if he was still alive today.”
A number of activities are expected to take place around the country as part of Mandela Day celebrations.
