In commemoration of Mandela International Day, KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer has pledged his support by adopting a financially struggling school for deaf pupils.

On Friday the MEC, flanked  by his department head Dr Vish Govender and eThekwini Municipality ward 97 councillor Andre Beegte spent his 67 minutes in Durban School for hearing impaired in Amanzimtoti south of Durban where he participated in painting the school’s ablution facilities.

The school owes the municipality R1,5 million for water and R800, 000 for the electricity which the school attributed to undetected underground water leaks and cable theft. The school has just over 300 pupils which are some of them are intellectually impaired and autistic. It has only one therapist which the school management says gives them problems.

Speaking at the event, the MEC pledged to support the school and announced that he will partner with the non-governmental organization to fix water leaks in the school.

Meyer, who is now a new resident of  Amanzimtoti, said it was a cabinet decision that all MECs must choose a school they will support. He said he chose the school because he always drive past it everyday when going to and from work. The MEC said the second reason he chose the school was that his brother is also hearing impaired. 

 “The other reason is that my department works closely with the people living with disabilities to a point that we developed the app to assist the disabled to get jobs,” said Meyer.

The MEC said as the country is in a difficult place right now remembering Mandela and emulating his leadership has never been so important, He described him as a selfless leader who willingly served his one term and stepped down to allow others to lead, adding that today politicians don’t want to leave office. The MEC said Mandela also loved children whom he called future leaders so it was important that new leaders also support children because they are the future.

This year was the 16th  commemoration of Mandela day where the United Nations declared 18 July -which is Mandela’s day birthday- to be dedicated to the upliftment of the societies particularly the vulnerable communities where everyone must dedicate his or 67 minutes in honour of Mandela.

willem.phungula@inl.co.za

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