TINTSWALO BALOYI
PRETORIA – THE United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Library in Pretoria has donated 60 school bags to schoolchildren at the Sefako Makgatho Primary School in Attridgeville, to mark the International Nelson Mandela Day.

Diplomats, UN partners and members of the public gathered to mark the day as children also received other school supplies including books, crayons and colour-in books.

Made from recycled vinyl billboard materials, the bag flap is reinforced with ABS plastic, ensuring a hard and stable surface for children to write on, and is an innovative solution to the challenge of lack of school desks where children kneel on dusty floors, using the ground as a writing surface.

Jane Tsharane, Principal of Sefako Makgato Primary School, expressed gratitude to the donation.

“Of course we have desks at our school; however the learning space at homes is different,” she said.

“The UN has given our kids a comfortable space that learners can own at their workspace when they study or do their homework. We are grateful that this particular support is aligned with our objectives; fostering learning and development in and outside the school parameters,” Tsharane said.

UNIC Director, Maureen Nkandu said that donation of the bags was just one of the various activities that the UN will be embark on throughout the year to support rural and under-privileged schools, in partnership with the Department of Education.

UN prides itself in upholding the values that late global leader Nelson Mandela stood for, therefore the decision to choose a course that aims to better the lives of children and education is fitting,” said Nkandu.

In recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, in November 2009 the UN General Assembly declared July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day.
– CAJ News