GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The National Heritage Council’s (NHC) Nelson Mandela Ubuntu Initiative honoured Dr Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe (5 December 1924 - 27 February 1978), a leader in South Africa’s liberation struggle, on Wednesday 26 March.

The occasion took place at Nqweba Secondary School, and essential supplies were handed out to the learners as well. 

Human Rights Month was celebrated, as well as Sobukwe’s selfless leadership and his commitment to equality and African unity.

The Nelson Mandela Ubuntu Initiative’s aim is to instil the spirit of ubuntu as part of South Africans’ living heritage. 

The NHC also intended to restore dignity and ignite pride in Nqweba Secondary School’s learners.

The acting principal, Nonceba Gladile-Ndamane, thanked the NHC and the initiative for the donations they had made to the learners, saying that the items were essential to the learners and its community.

Present at the event was research manager at Freedom Park Sandile Zeka, NHC programme support officer Gugu Hlatshwayo, Amos Mulandzi of the NHC, Adoko Sobukwe-Whyte of Sobukwe Trust and Family, and Nqweba Secondary’s school governing body.

Mulandzi says it is the NHC’s mandate to instil heritage in individuals and communities, believing a better society will be the result when those elements are practised. 

He said the NHC intends to preserve and promote heritage, especially living heritage, and one of these elements is ubuntu, a tradition among African communities.

Thirty-two food parcels were donated to the impoverished learners, as well as school uniforms, shoes and sanitary towels. 

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