House of Mandela

Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.

That is just one of many quotes that are a part of the legacy of President Mandela. A man of unparalleled character and wisdom, who endured excruciating adversity and suffering, and yet still managed to keep his heart open to love, to peace, and an unbreakable determination to make the world a better place.

It is this legacy that A Spring of Hope is honored to preserve through our partnership with the House of Mandela. We are excited to be working with Maki and Tukwini Mandela in several economic development opportunities that will improve and empower the lives of impoverished South Africans. One of these projects is to bring water, gardens, and sanitation to rural schools in Qunu, South Africa, the home village of Nelson Mandela.

Nkalane Primary School

Qunu, Eastern Cape Province

A tidy school setup, but lacking in many basics that need to be addressed to secure a functional establishment. The lower primary kids are on a Mandela Foundation Phase programme – those classrooms are colourful and neat. They use the rain catchment method to get water for drinking and cooking purposes, but it is a dry area and therefore not sustainable. There is also a municipal tap nearby, but the water supply is erratic. A number of Jojo tanks are on site to store water. They have electricity, but cooking takes place on gas, because there are almost no trees in the area and therefore no firewood available. There is no garden at the moment due to the erratic water supply and the hot conditions.

Thandokazi Primary School

Qunu, Eastern Cape Province

Thandokazi Primary is a fairly small school, but with great school attendance, in large part to the enthusiasm of Koti Mandela, the acting principal, a dynamic woman who cares for the well-being of the children. The rain catchment method is used to collect water at the school for cooking and drinking purposes. There is also a municipal tap nearby, but the water supply is erratic. They have electricity, but the cooking is done on gas. There are almost no trees in the area and therefore no firewood available. There is no garden at the moment due to the erratic water supply and the hot conditions.

Solutions

A Spring of Hope is currently implementing the following improvements at both Nkalane and Thandokazi school:

  • Drill a borehole and supply the necessary equipment and piping to provide sufficient water to the needed areas. Put a maintenance plan in place for the upkeep of the system.
  • Establish a sustainable vegetable and fruit garden, provided with the necessary equipment and skills. The garden will be maintained by designated volunteers and supported by enthusiastic learners who will also learn a skill to execute at home, through the guidance of A Spring of Hope.
  • Build Enviro Loos for the teachers and the learners.
  • Improve the kitchen area to save energy and to be more functional.