The late Mzee Nelson Mandela AFRICAN leaders have been urged to emulate the late Mzee Nelson Mandela by addressing political instabili...
 |
| The late Mzee Nelson Mandela |
Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Friday, South Africa's High Commission Counselor (political), Mr Terry Govender said Mandela is among the world icons of reconciliation whose examples can be used to make Africa a better place to live.
Mr Govender made the remarks at the occasion to mark the International Day for Nelson Mandela, suggesting that advocacy of peace, unity, respect of human rights and care for each other should be considered a permanent agenda for the world to mark this day.
The International Day for Nelson Mandela for peace, freedom and justice at national level was organised by the South African Embassy in Dar es Salaam and observed by rendering community service at Sinza Special School in the city.
Representatives from the donor community and international organisations such as the United Nations, Vodacom, Tigo, Foreign Affairs, Pepsi, among others, joined hands to mark the event.
“In his lifetime, Mandela lived by example, advocating for peace, unity and support to each other. The newly unveiled statue in Pretoria tells all that Mandela believed in," Mr Govender said.
The figurine shows embracement or hugging as he advocated togetherness. The African Union (AU) and other peace promoting organs could learn from the compassionate Mandela, he added.
He said the famous 67 minutes of community work was Mandela’s own request to all well wishers to support the needy as charity was not judged by the amount of presents offered but the sustained spirit of providing for others.
Sinza Special School Head Teacher, Mr Simon Milobo thanked all representatives for a day well spent at the area, attaching great significance to the occasion that inspired the school community.
“There is a need for wider public awareness campaign for parents, guardians and other relatives not to put out of sight the disabled children. Although the children are mentally challenged they deserve protection and guidance just like all other children,” Mr Milobo explained.
Apart from academics, the pupils learn how to wash and iron clothes, tuck buttons, brush their shoes, tailoring and other skills. There are two male teachers and six female with 88 pupils at the school graded in three stages. In the process, some join normal schools as well,” he clarified.
Commenting on the limited number of teachers specifically trained for good care of the pupils, the head teacher requested the government to train more teachers to give a chance to hundreds of disabled children hidden in houses.
“In case of absence at school, teachers are supposed to communicate with parents as some of the children come from separated families,” he explained.
Gabriel Mselem is one of the teachers at the school. He said all teachers served as instructors, parents and ‘nurses’ time and again obliged to wear gloves to assist pupils who happen to attend to the calls of nature in class. “For three years I taught in normal schools.
The day I told my friends that I was going to Patandi Teachers College, everyone laughed at me. This shows that no serious attention is given to this group.
I am happy with my job but a lot needs to be done,” Mr Mselem explained. It requires extra energy, compassion and commitment to help the children with mental disability, Mselem added.
Reasonable incentives or remunerations would have been highly appreciated just as received by teachers working in difficult conditions in remote villages,” he explained. The school is run by the Kinondoni Municipal Council and parents/guardians are requested to pay at least 20,000/-for fuel to the school bus but those who cannot pay are not pushed to pay.
Every year on 18 July, the UN joins a call by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to devote 67 minutes of time to helping others, as a way to mark Nelson Mandela International Day.
For 67 years, Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.
In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July "Nelson Mandela International Day" in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.
"We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference," end of quote by Mandela. Apart from sharing bites and drinks with the pupils, the visitors were also engaged in different activities ranging from cleanliness, painting, sports and games, singing, among others.
Source: Daily NEWS.
COMMENTS