CSA, Momentum and the Gauteng Cricket Board teamed up to refurbish Molalatladi Primary School in Rockville, Soweto on Monday to commemorate Mandela Day.
The staff members, Momentum volunteers and Highveld Lions players spent their 67 minutes repainting the school buildings, planting vegetables, flowers and trees and fixing broken equipment and jungle gym sets in the playground.
‘Mandela Day is absolutely essential for us because it reminds us of the father of our nation and we have to pay tribute every year to recognise the good that Mandela has done for us,’ said CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat. ‘This day should also serve to remind us of the challenges that we must tackle and resolve to make a better future for all.’
The school is SA U19 coach Lawrence Mahatlane’s former Primary school. He was delighted to return and spend his 67 minutes contributing to a place near and dear to his heart.
‘This is where my love for the game was cultivated with the introduction to mini-cricket by one of my teachers many years ago,’ he said. ‘It is a pleasure to return and make whatever small contribution I can make towards the upkeep of a place that I hold close to my heart.’
Sedgars Sport, for the sixth year running, donated two sets of full cricket kit valued at R10 000 as well as 50 KFC Mini-Cricket T-shirts to the school.
GCB CEO, Mr Gregory Fredericks said; ‘It is an honour and privilege for us as GCB to contribute to this school and take part in a day as special as this. Mandela Day serves to remind us of the huge sacrifices that were made by the great man and we are honoured to come to this school, which has falls under the GCB network of schools.
‘The Soweto Oval is just around the corner from here and the community has done so much in supporting our team, the Highveld Lions. As we are playing here against Titans in the annual Momentum Ekasi Challenge, we were keen to come here and show our support and appreciation to them. We hope that we will see a fresh crop of talent coming from this school and others in the area.’
