On Thursday 26 June 2025, Cannons Creek Independent High School held an early Mandela Day, partnering with local NPO – Lerato’s Hope. The school packed sixty-seven complete Hygiene boxes containing the bare essentials for a family affected by floods or fire damage; which is especially relevant during this cold Winter. These boxes contained toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary pads, toilet paper, soap, and face cloths. The leftover items will go towards extra boxes. “Thank you to the school community for the kind donations. You have been absolutely amazing in this initiative, and Interact is extremely grateful for the constant generosity and support,” said Ms Candice de Villiers (Head of Interact Society).
Mr Vaughan Stannard (Lerato’s Hope Director) joined the school for an assembly before the packing, to set the tone for the day. He thanked the school for their donations, explained more about Lerato’s Hope. Stannard elaborated that they are part of a network of churches that collect items for disaster relief, and that the hygiene boxes are one of the ways they can respond to people in need who might need to be relocated, and whose challenges are often not seen by those living in Pinelands.
As Mandela famously said, “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity, it is an act of justice.” Stannard reminded the school that they are an important part of the big chain that is involved as “working with the community is always better than doing it all ourselves”. He encouraged pupils to see themselves as more than people from Pinelands or Cape Town, or even South Africa, but rather a community member of a city that has lots of challenges and injustices – pupils too can make a difference.
Stannard said: “We are so grateful to Cannons Creek High School. They’ve been such wonderful partners over the years. They’ve always helped with packing events and this year they’ve also raised so many items through the generosity of the students and the parents. I want to say thank you very much for celebrating and remembering and honouring Mandela Day today. Thank you for being nation builders and for the way that you’re raising and educating the kids. Thank you to all the children for your enthusiasm in all the packing. We really appreciate it.”
Jordan Benson from Scripture Union, was also a guest at the assembly who spoke about the importance of giving. She explained that it was a cycle, that although it might cost you time, energy, comfort; when you give – others grow, you grow in terms of your character and the community. She pointed out that if Nelson Mandela had focused only on what he could get – we wouldn’t have the freedom we have today. She encouraged the pupils – “Pay attention to what’s happening in the world around you, see how you can make a difference.” She left the assembly with the words “Let this not be a one-time act of kindness. This could be the beginning of a lifestyle of giving, of becoming a better person.”
