Thabitha Ministry Orphanage, situated at Sweetwaters in Pietermaritzburg was abuzz with activity as the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works visited the centre to spend Mandela Day on Tuesday, 18 July 2017. The departmental officials who visited the orphanage did not arrive empty handed. They bought groceries and other necessities such as toiletries detergents, and warm winter blankets.
The late Mr Nelson Mandela had a vision of a peaceful nation where every person cares for the other. He spent 67 years fighting for this vision. From this, each year on Mandela Day everyone is encouraged to set aside 67 minutes to give back to the community, each minute representing a year of Mandela’s struggle. The Public Works organising team had earlier visited the orphanage and noted that there were windows with broken glass and Public Works officials responded positively and fixed the broken windows on the spot during Mandela Day.
Miss Nompumelelo Miya: Facilities Management Personal Assistant, kept the children entertained as she sang with them a variety of songs and played a critical role of educating children about the legacy of Mandela.
Ms Nompumelelo Miya and other Public Works officials singing along with children of Thabitha Ministry Orphanage.
Assistant Director: SCM – Assets Fleet Management Services, Mrs Thandeka Msomi then led the official start of the programme for the day. One of the speakers, Mrs Nobuhle Mlotshwa, Assistant Director: Employee Health and Wellness encouraged the children to be responsible about their future regardless of their current situation. Public Works staff catered lunch for everyone and presented the children of Thabitha Ministry with a cake as a symbol of Mandela’s birthday. As a sign of appreciation, children of Thabitha Ministry Orphanage displayed their talent and sang beautiful songs for the KZN Public Works team. Mrs Zanele Maphumulo in charge of the orphanage appreciated this gesture from the Public Works family, saying this will go a long way. Mrs Maphumulo said she was hopeful the Department would consider visiting the orphanage again in future. Thabitha Ministry Orphanage was identified after the departmental Events Planning Committee did an assessment of its needs in relation to other facilities in the area.
Department of Public Works staff that paid a visit to the Thabitha Ministry Orphanage.
“Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation” – Nelson Mandela. With these words, the Department wishes the Thabitha Ministry Orphanage all the best.
Gratitude should be given to the team that visited the orphanage, hoping for many successful and heart-warming Mandela Days in the future.
Spotting Madiba are the children of Thabitha Ministry Orphanage.