Mandela Museum helps Tsomo school

Former president Nelson Mandela and ANC stalwart Albertina Sisulu’s centenaries have brought joy and happiness to the learners of Campbell Senior Primary School at Xolobe village, outside Tsomo in the Eastern Cape.

The Nelson Mandela Museum donated 100 chairs, 50 desks and lots of educational toys. Tsomo is Mama Albertina Sisulu’s home town.

The museum celebrated Mandela Day by improving the lives of children.

Education is one of the values that was close to Tata Nelson Mandela’s heart. The museum still strives to uphold his most famous quote on education- ”Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

Campbell school in Tsomo has learners from Grade R to Grade Seven, but only has one building that accommodates several classrooms.

However, the Nelson Mandela Museum has taken the first step by donating desks, chairs and many educational toys to uplift the quality of education at the school.

Museum chairperson, Andiswa Vikilahle, encouraged young people to emulate the two struggle stalwarts who valued education so much.

“We say to the young kids, out of this place, because when you’re driving through here. It looks like it’s in the middle of nowhere. In the middle of nowhere someone great came out. Live your life in such a way that you inspire people and live in a way that would make Mama Sisulu and Tata Madiba proud.”

Learners Iviwe Goba and Simnikiwe Bam believe that this will improve teaching and learning at their school…

“We feel happy because we’re going to learn in the desks,” says one learner. Another one says, ” We feel happy because we’re going to write good and neat.”

Campbell School Principal Siphiwe Ntshewula has welcomed the donation, but says the school is still facing a number of challenges.

“I’m feeling very good. We are having a lack of educators even a lack of classrooms. The teaching and learning are not running smoothly, so we’re facing a very very big challenge.”

The Nelson Mandela Museum says plans are underway to refurbish the school.

Chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Museum, Andiswa Vikilahle says, “We want these children to be motivated; it doesn’t matter where you come from and they must adopt and try live like Madiba.”

The museum has also committed to raise funds to further assist the school.