George Municipality Honors Mandela’s Legacy with Community Service and Skills Development

In the spirit of Nelson Mandela Day, the George Municipality in South Africa manifested the essence of community service and skill development as they embarked on a series of philanthropic deeds throughout their regions. On the 18th of July 2024, the Executive Mayor of George, Jackie Von Brandis, joined by councillors and municipal officials, lent their hands and hearts to uphold the values cherished by the South African icon, Nelson Mandela.

Setting the tone for the day, Mayor Von Brandis visited Akkertjie ECD - an established Early Childhood Development center in the George Municipal area. There, she, alongside Councillors Melvin Roelfse, Charlotte Clarke, Marlene Barnardt, and Marelna Gultig, partook in refreshing the center's facilities by sanding and painting furniture, demonstrating the importance of fostering early learning environments. Mayor Von Brandis, reflecting on the significance of the day stated, “When I think about Nelson Mandela, besides his major sacrifices to usher our country to freedom, I also think about his commitment to children and education.”

Adding to the acts of kindness, the Mayor and councillors contributed to the welfare of animals by delivering goods to the Garden Route SPCA, eliciting a heartfelt message of gratitude from Mayor Von Brandis for the SPCA's role in the community. She was joined by councillors Browen Johnson, Nosicelo Mbete, Ald Iona Kritzinger, and Cllr Marlena Gultig, signalling a united front in public service.

Employee initiatives complemented the officials' efforts as Petrus Lindoor from George Municipality Finance Directorate proudly presented the SPCA with a donation of pet food.

Further collaborations between George Municipality and SANParks brought tangible improvements to the life of a visually impaired resident, Michael Hendricks, and his family. The day saw their home rejuvenated with new paint, doors, windows, and essential amenities, offering not just material assistance but also a sense of dignity.

Building upon skills and advocacy, the Francois Ferreira Chef Academy played host to an enlightening culinary workshop for 20 soup kitchen volunteers. The session, led by Mayor Von Brandis and Chef Cheri, aimed at enhancing food preparation skills, demonstrating investment in the volunteers' personal development and the quality of service they offer to their communities.

The multifaceted approach to honoring Nelson Mandela Day showcased George Municipality’s commitment to embodying Mandela's values of education, care, and active citizenship. By collectively engaging in such initiatives, they have set a profound benchmark for service to others and have strengthened the societal bonds within their municipality.

Furthermore, the Municipality’s initiatives extended beyond just a single day of goodwill, as reflected in the gesture by Mandy Rose Naidoo, a library assistant at Pacaltsdorp Library, who engaged with learners at Pacaltsdorp Primary, enriching their knowledge about Nelson Mandela, and providing them with healthful fruit donations.

Each endeavour on this effectively celebratory day strategically targeted different aspects of community need, ensuring that the commemoration of Mandela's legacy translated into practical, impactful actions—a true manifestation of the spirit of 'Madiba'.