As a countdown to Mandela Day, Human Capital Services (HCS) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) visited Carrington Primary School in Umbilo, to donate schoolbooks and to paint the school’s guard house and kitchen, on Monday, 17 July 2023.
The Transformation Specialist at DUT HCS, Ms Buhle Ndawonde, said the unit chose Carrington Primary School because it was one of the schools that catered to disadvantaged children.
“As a build-up to Mandela Day which took place on Tuesday, 18 July 2023, we decided to visit Carrington Primary School where we donated schoolbooks and stationery. We also brought in the beautiful DUT paint colours, to brighten up the school. We painted the security guard’s chamber and also the school’s kitchen. This school really needed our assistance because they are quite underprivileged. We wanted to impact their lives the DUT Way and to contribute to the development of young minds,” said Ndawonde.
Some of the HCS staff members painting the guard’s chamber at Carrington Primary School.
One of the HCS Directors, Mr Rembuluwani Magiledzhi, Director: Remuneration and Benefits, who was amongst the team members painting at the school, said this Mandela Day initiative was in line with the DUT ENVISION2030 strategy which highlighted DUT as an engaged university. In addition, this was the team’s way of making an impact in the community and contributing towards improving lives and livelihoods.
Two of the HCS staff members, who are DUT alumnae, Lusanda Bukhali, a Human Resource Management graduate and Nomthandazo Ntenga, a Business Administration graduate, were also excited to be part of the team that visited Carrington Primary School.
Bukhali thanked the DUT team for allowing her to be a part of this great initiative, where she had an opportunity to give back to the community. Meanwhile, Ntenga said that she would always cherish this year’s Mandela Day as it was the first time that she had donated her time and helped in making a difference in society. She added that this has motivated her to continue doing more charitable work.
Carrington Primary School Principal, Mrs Thokozani Kunene extended her gratitude to the DUT staff for choosing the school for their Mandela Day campaign.
“Our school mostly caters for disadvantaged children from the area. Some of them are also from Mayville, Cato Crest and we also have a few from Umlazi and KwaMashu. We truly appreciate the books donated to the school and we thank DUT for their beautiful painting of our guard house and kitchen. DUT brought in and blended beautiful bright colours for the guard’s chamber and the school’s kitchen which will bring much joy and contentment to the learners and staff,” shared Mrs Kunene.
Pictured: DUT HCS team with Carrington Primary School Principal, Mrs Thokozani Kunene during their Mandela Day initiative.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Simangele Zuma
