Nelson Mendela Day

Celebrating Nelson Mendela Day
		South African, Australian and Aboriginal flags were flown		Bikes and blankets for the needy were donated by our special guests		Rangebank Primary School students gathered to watch the morning’s formalities		Principal, Colin Avery, welcomed everyone
The speeches
Student leaders thanked DOST and the South African High Commission for their gifts of two bicycles, money for the Breakfast Club, and blankets for needy families		Jude Perera, local state MP, spoke about the example of Mandela..		Dr Arun Sharma, a director of DOST ‘a friend indeed’, who spoke about the name of Madiba, (Father of the Nation) – the affectionate name for Mandela by his people		Ms Yvonne Chaka Chaka spoke of Mandela’s love of us and treating everyone as an equal		Her Excellency, Ms Koleka Mqulwana spoke about Mandela’s passion for his people and that our children hold the key to making this world a better place.
Planting a tree

Then our visitors each took a turn to help plant an African protea tree that will commemorate launch of Nelson Mandela Day in Australia, before placing their hand prints on our Freedom fence
Hand printing our Freedom fence
Principal Colin Avery, painted Mrs Jaya Sharma’s hands and other guests		… until each was painted		Everyone had painted hands and were ready…		… then placed their hand prints on our fence		Special guests and children all left a permanent mark on our Freedom Fence.
Morning tea			Letters received
Morning tea followed the formalities of the morning				Letter from the United Nations General-Secretary, Ban Ki Moon		Letter from the South African High Commission, HE Ms Koleka Mqulwana.		Letter from the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Tony Abbott.