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Coega Development Corporation adopts Early Childhood Development Centres to honour Mandela

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The Coega Development Corporation (CDC), in partnership with the Department of Social Development, will launch its Early Childhood Development Programme this month to coincide with the internationally recognised Mandela Day.

“The values adopted by the Mandela Day initiative speak to CDCs Corporate Social Investment (CSI) objectives. We strive continuously to contribute meaningfully towards the upliftment of communities,” said Thandi Rayi, CDC CSI manager.

Each CDC satellite office will be allocated an early childhood development centre to work with but activities will continue throughout the year.

Areas in which the projects will be carried out are:

  • Grassroots ECD Playgroup in Helenvale, Port Elizabeth;
  • Lukhanyo Day Care Centre in Walmer;
  • Phaphamani ECDC in Queenstown;
  • Vusumzi ECDC in Mdantsane;
  • Khanyisa Laleni in Qumbu; and
  • Nurdine ECDC in Mlazi, KwaZulu-Natal.

“CSI has come a long way in the country and is not seen only as a charitable donation or as a tax write-off. It plays a pivotal role in changing the lives of communities for the better,” said Rayi.

She said the organisation has approached its service providers to donate some of the items required by the centres.

“We started running a campaign to collect educational toys and equipment from our staff members to donate to the different centres.” Furthermore, in celebration of 67 minutes for Mandela Day, litter clean-ups and snare hunts in the IDZ have been identified as one of the many initiatives to be undertaken by the CDC this year. In support of Mandela Day, this Friday CDC staff will collect litter in Zones 1 to Zones 4 and also do snare hunting in Zone 4. “We have the responsibility to combat the plights faced by so many in this country. With our combined efforts we can do so much,” said Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing and communications.

In addition to supporting Mandela Day, CDC’s CSI unit also provides social assistance to destitute families throughout the year, bringing relief especially to families and to homes that are child headed.

During the 2014/15 financial year CDC spent more than R13-million in CSI projects across the country, making positive impact in the many disadvantaged areas in which it operates.

HELPING HANDS: The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) donated various seedlings, fertilizers and food parcels, as well as participated in cleaning and planting of vegetable gardens in support of Mandela Day last year (2014). CDC programme director Zine Mtanda donated seedlings to Velm Korkee (left) owner of the Bloemendal Community School Garden Programme in Port Elizabeth, last year.
The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) donated various seedlings, fertilizers and food parcels, as well as participated in cleaning and planting of vegetable gardens in support of Mandela Day last year (2014). CDC programme director Zine Mtanda donated seedlings to Velm Korkee (left) owner of the Bloemendal Community School Garden Programme in Port Elizabeth, last year.

Author: Shaanaaz Loggenberg

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Port Elizabethan

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