THERE was great excitement and anticipation at the City of uMhlathuze auditorium last week when schools showed their knowledge of the earlier years of President Mandela through presentations and recitals.
A project of the city’s Community Services (CS) department, the competition called ‘Another Side of Mandela’ asked children to investigate facts about the years of Madiba’s life before he entered the public domain.
‘We often speak about this great leader as though he was born in 1963 on Robben Island or prior to 1994 when he led the country to its first democratic elections,’ Deputy Municipal Manager Metthews Oliphant told the primary and high school pupils.
‘So we asked you to trace his roots and investigate his early life, from when he grew up in a poor rural area.
‘Your research will also show he was not the flawless saint we often make him out to be, but a normal young man who made many mistakes.
‘This project is linked to Mandela Day, which was officially declared by the United Nations, and is celebrated to bring people together.
‘President Mandela was known for his love for children, passion for education and involvement in community work – and this is what we want to encourage in your lives,’ said Oliphant.
After hearing some superb presentations on stage, including orations, poetry, song and music, the judges declared the following winners:
Primary Schools
Poetry – 1 Veldenvlei Primary, 2 Maqhama Primary, 3 Brackenham Primary.
Music – 1 Brackenham Primary, 2 Floraton Primary, 3 Maqhama Primary.
High Schools
1 Tholokuhle High School, 2 John Ross College, 3 Richards Bay Secondary School.
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