The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) marked Nelson Mandela Day with impactful community service activities at Ferndale Primary School and various other locations, emphasising the Agency’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community support.
On 17 July, the East London Coast and Double Mouth Nature Reserves team spent 67 minutes at Ferndale Primary School, engaging in activities that transformed the school environment. The team dedicated their time to cutting grass, painting the school, and conducting a general cleanup, significantly enhancing its appearance and functionality. Beyond physical improvements, the team also engaged with students, teaching them the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
The East London Coast Reserve Manager, Pumeza Monde, highlighted the Agency’s dedication to environmental care.
“One of ECPTA’s mandates is to keep the environment clean and encourage learners to take care of it. By involving the students in these activities, we hope to instil a sense of responsibility and pride in their surroundings,” said Monde.
The school’s principal, Thobeka Ludada-Lekubane, expressed profound gratitude for the ECPTA’s efforts. “As a school, we even forgot about Mandela Day because we have never experienced anything like this. It was the first time we were visited on Mandela Day, and I am speechless yet grateful for what the ECPTA has done. Their work does not go unnoticed,” she said.
The ECPTA’s commitment to Mandela Day extended beyond Ferndale Primary School. On 18 July, the head office employees, led by the Change Champions, organised a similar event focusing on feeding the less fortunate. This initiative aimed to pay it forward by supporting those in need, further embodying the spirit of Mandela Day.
