South Africans in Uganda mark Mandela's birthday

By Andrew Ssenyonga         

South Africans in Uganda Wednesday joined the world to mark the 94th birthday celebrations of global icon and former South African President Nelson Mandela.

In Uganda the South African high commission marked the day with a project dubbed 94+ Schools Infrastructure Project, which aims at making a difference in the lives of children in least privileged communities in Uganda. The celebrations were organized by Always Be Tolerant Organization (ABETO).

ABETO chief Moses Musana said the exercise was to celebrate with the South African commission and also payback to the communities, who are less privileged.

"The purpose of the exercise is to show solidarity to the less privileged. The pupils here come from the low income earners and need extra help to fit in the society," Musana said.

Over 50 members of the commission led by the South African High Commissioner to Uganda Jon Qwelane, donning the Lancet laboratories T- shirts, the officials painted Wandegeya Muslim primary school's three blocks, toilets, unblocked the drainage system and swept the compound.

In partnership with the Coke Cola Company and Rwenzori mineral water company, the commission also donated text books and other scholastic materials to the school.

"The Project that was initiated three years back, originates in the former President's strong view on the importance of education and his world-acclaimed efforts to build an equitable system of education in Africa and the world at large," Qwelane said.

Qwelane explained that the world should live with the ideal of sacrificing that could be the greatest gift everyone can give Mandela.

He added that the International Mandela Day is intended to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better by building a global movement for good.

Musana said that the school was chosen because it is surrounded by the slums of Katanga, Makerere kivulu, Kalerwe and Bwaise.

Pupils who were dashing past for classes were shocked to see white men and women painting and sweeping their classrooms.

School's head teacher Haruna Ssenoga, joined the friendly visitors to clean and paint the school blocks and their surroundings, while others school officials chanted "Mandela oyee".