The Mandela Day initiative led by the minister of transport Dipuo Peters and her deputy minister Sindisiwe Chikunga benefited families at the Boepathutsi Home Based Care Centre as well as pupils at the Memezela Secondary School in Soshanguve.

The delegation was also accompanied by Cheesekids, led by Shaka Sisulu, a youth volunteer group and Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter to former President, Mr Nelson Mandela.

Lucky Montana, Group CEO of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), who sponsored this initiative, said “We are proud to join millions of South Africans and others around the world to honour and celebrate a true hero of our people and global icon.  Madiba’s life is an example of selflessness and the honour to serve others.  His legacy shall continue to inspire us at PRASA to contribute to a decent and affordable public transport that serves all South Africans irrespective of race, gender or status”.

PRASA also recognised four top performing grade eight students who excelled in Mathematics and Science awarding them with PRASA Bursaries and Learnerships.

Montana says, “PRASA is keen to re-energise Rail Engineering as a skill in South Africa in all its diversity.  For instance, our operations require highly skilled welders, this is a technical skill and other artisan skills that are not well recognised as career options and yet are most sought after skills.  We therefore want to encourage young leaners to follow these fields and help carve future rail engineers.”

This Mandela Day initiative also gave 800 pupils jerseys and shoes, sponsored 105 matriculants with scientific calculators in preparation for their exams and benefited 96 families cared for by the Boepathutsi Home Based Care Centre.