South Africa, partners emulate Mandela’s legacies

South African Consulate in Lagos has in partnership with Sasol Nigeria, an oil and gas company and Shoprite Nigeria marked this year’s Mandela Day celebration with donation of gifts to Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children and the Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice in Lagos.

Celebrating the legacies of the legendary icon during the week, volunteers from the Consulate in Lagos and the partners donated educational and food items to the facility.

Country Manager for Sasol, Mr. Mlandzeni Boyce, said, the company has adopted the idea of providing for the school as its Corporate Social responsibility. “The adoption of Pacelli School for the Blind as part of our social corporate responsibility has culminated into a number of projects including the introduction of computers to aid children learning in the school,” he disclosed.

Responding to the gesture, Principal of the school, Sister Jane, expressed gratitude to the South African delegates and business partners for visiting the home and lauded the contributions of the oil firm over the years.

She said, “We are lucky and indeed grateful to have you here. We thank Sasol for the computers and the software, which has been very helpful for our effective operations in this home. We appreciate everyone for coming, and please continue to visit us here.”

Also, the Consulate delegation visited the Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice and donated various items, and expressed continuous commitment to supporting the home, owned and managed by Mrs. Laja Adedoyin.

Adedoyin, while urging other corporates organisations to emulate the gesture said, “I know Shoprite and Sasol, they have been very supportive. Shoprite vouchers have been a saving grace most times.”

Appreciating the owner of the school and the staff for their devoted service to humanity, representative of the South African Consulate in Lagos, George Nesengani stated, “This is the exact principles for which Nelson Mandela stood for during his life time.

“United Nations declared 18th of July annually as official Nelson Mandela Day to celebrate the life and legacies of the iconic Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, former South African President, who was born on the 18th of July, 1918 and died on December 5, 2013,” he stated.