Lindo, Zazi and Ziwelene Mandela are furthering their great grandfathers legacy by boosting education in South Africa through new classrooms & classes.
Ethekwini Primary school in KwaMashu, Durban, will soon be able to take in its first cohort of grade seven learners. Plans for the construction of new classrooms, upgrades to ablution facilities, additional teacher training, a nutrition programme and a menstrual hygiene course for girls at the school was announced at a launch event on Thursday 11 October. The event was attended by Nelson Mandela’s great grandchildren Lindo, Zazi and Ziwelene Mandela.
“Quality education requires safe, equipped spaces for teaching, skilled and supported staff, good nutrition and programmes that empower learners,” says Tim Diamond, General Manager of the Cotton On Foundation, the organisation that is funding and overseeing the school’s upgrade.
The project marks the start of a long-term commitment to South Africa, with the Foundation pledging to invest R100-million in education in the country over the next five years.
Currently taking 1 100 learners, with around 150 per classroom, Ethekwini Primary has been unable to offer complete primary education due to lack of space. Since connecting with the foundation in 2015, as a part of a Nelson Mandela Foundation partnership, the school has worked with Diamond’s team to identify and address various community needs.
In constructing new classrooms, the Foundation has contracted local architect firm, Fieldworks Design Group, to use innovative green building technologies and install systems for the use of non-potable in ablution facilities.
“We want our work to be scalable and sustainable across multiple developing regions – our goal is widespread change in the lives of young people living in these areas,” says Diamond.
The upgraded school will accommodate 1 280 students and offer a range of educational programmes in nutrition and hygiene;
“Most importantly, Ethekwini Primary School learners will be able to finish their junior school learning without having to leave their district,” says Diamond.
The completion of this project will bring the Foundation’s tally of education places to 10,000, halfway to their target of 20 000 by 2020.
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