Cape Town - Ending Mandela Month on a high note and honouring the life and legacy of the late Tata Madiba, Independent Media donated warm, colourful blankets to the children at SOS Children’s Village in Thornton yesterday.
The children’s home was officially opened by Nelson Mandela in 1996 and was designed to house 120 children. It is currently home to 80 orphaned and abandoned children from the age of 2.
Programme manager at the children’s home, Mzuzile Makwetu, said the blankets would come in handy.
“During this cold winter season in Cape Town, they could not have chosen a better time to donate these blankets. It is very cold and our children will really enjoy them when they are sitting watching movies.
“As a non-profit organisation, we depend on donations and funding from the department, so assistance of any kind is much needed at all times.
“We house orphans, abused, neglected and vulnerable children who are referred to us through a court order and all of our children are attending over 20 public schools in the Western Cape. We also have a kindergarten in the village, so any support of any kind is always needed.”
The blankets were sponsored by Aranda Blankets.
Nigel Green, from Independent Media, said: “It is winter and cold, so donating blankets is the right thing to do. The children have no parents, so the facilitators at the children’s home are their caregivers. We need to look after whoever we can. It must not stop here with the blankets – we should open our hearts and give to any other organisation in need because it is tough out there, especially in these economic conditions.”
Sharing these sentiments, Independent Media’s marketing co-ordinator, Rehana Rutti, added: “We’ve supported SOS Children’s Village in Cape Town during Mandela Month and are reminded of Madiba’s wisdom: ‘The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.’
“Our donation is a small act of hope, inspired by his legacy, to help vulnerable children rise above challenges and thrive. We are humbled to contribute to their journey towards a brighter future.”
Cape Argus