Why sit at home this school holiday when the City’s Libraries are hosting a wide range of educational and fun holiday programmes? It is July and many programmes will focus on Mandela Day-themed celebrations in honour of the former president Nelson Mandela’s birthday on 18 July, which is commemorated annually in honour of his legacy and life.
The City’s holiday programme kicked off on Tuesday, 4 July, and will stretch to Friday, 21 July.
Madiba’s legacy to South Africa and the world is enormous; the most notable in Johannesburg are the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein, and the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton.The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Lubabalo Magwentshu, urges pupils to participate in the school holiday programmes in their areas and to gain knowledge from the Mandela Day celebrations.
“Tata Rolihlahla Mandela is a towering figure in our history, he represents hope and resilience of South Africans, the great legacy that he left us should be celebrated. Younger generations must learn about this great man who played such a significant role in our history, we want children to take advantage of the opportunity to learn and enjoy the school holidays with our Library programs,” says MMC Magwentshu.
The Mandela Day celebration at Diepsloot Library on Tuesday, 4 July, opened the holiday programme with a bang.
The rest of the programmes you can look forward to in the first week are a role-play and discussion at Orlando East Library and a visit from Halfway House staff to Happynest Primary on Thursday, 6 July between 10am and 12pm.
Here is a list of other Mandela Day Celebrations:
- On Tuesday, 11 July, staff from Ivory Park Lord Khanyile Library will tell Nelson Mandela stories between 10am and 12pm.
- On Thursday, 13 July, children can listen to Nelson Mandela stories at Ivory Park North Library between 10am and 12pm.
- Friday, 14 July, Klipspruit Children’s Library will educate Usher Preschool on Mandela’s life.
- On Tuesday, 18 July,, a coding tournament takes place at Noordgesig Library between 10am and 12pm. On the same day, interactive programmes will also be hosted at Braamfischerville Library, Rising Fountain Crèche, Diepkloof Zone 1 Library and Bosmont Library from 10am.
- On Thursday, 20 July, a discussion is happening about Mandela at Klipspruit West Library from 10am and a Nelson Mandela Day Celebration is happening at Yeoville Library from 10am.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
04/07/2023