Gauteng Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, marked Mandela Day by joining international and private sector partners to donate essential infrastructure that will benefit schools in the province.
The handover ceremony took place at Eqinisweni Secondary School in Ivory Park, where Maile was joined by the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, and representatives of China National Building Material (CNBM) International South Africa.
As part of the initiative, Eqinisweni Secondary School received water storage tanks and power inverters aimed at improving access to reliable water and electricity. The donation will also benefit 20 schools across the Johannesburg East District.
The Mandela Day initiative highlights the importance of partnerships between government, international stakeholders and the private sector in addressing challenges faced by schools. Reliable access to water and backup power is expected to improve the learning environment, particularly during water supply interruptions and electricity outages.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the project forms part of this year’s Mandela Day commemoration and demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening teaching and learning conditions across Gauteng.
The department said the collaboration reflects the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s legacy by encouraging practical acts of service that make a lasting difference in communities.
Mandela Day, observed annually on 18 July, calls on individuals and organisations to dedicate time and resources towards improving the lives of others. Across South Africa, government departments, businesses and community organisations participate in projects ranging from school improvements and food donations to environmental clean-ups and healthcare outreach.
The donation at Eqinisweni Secondary School is expected to contribute to more resilient school infrastructure while supporting uninterrupted teaching and learning for learners in Johannesburg East.
