Celebrating the life of the great statesman, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, proved to be quite an eventful day at Hawk Academy on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The school welcomed visitors from Abcon Group Foundation (AGF) and Pride Factor, a life skills academy dedicated to improving the quality of young people\u2019s lives.<\/p>
\u201cWe are here celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela the best way we know how, by serving our community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that he fought for the liberation of all people.<\/p>
\u201cHe fought inequality and he fought against racial segregation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want these children to know that they have a right to education because of struggle heroes such as Nelson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Nelson was released from prison he said \u2018I humble myself before you as a servant\u2019. If a man as great as he was could dedicate his life to serving his people, we all can.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should all look within ourselves to find our ultimate purpose which is to help one another, by doing so we\u2019ll make the world a better place,\u201d said Londiwe Mthembu of Abcon Group Foundation.<\/p>\n
The day\u2019s activities included painting the school\u2019s mobile library, book sorting, cleaning and the handing out of gifts.<\/p>\n
There was even a barber onsite for those who fancied a Mandela inspired haircut.<\/p>\n
Pride Factor held down the entertainment segments with dancing, motivational speeches and a short comical play based on the importance of education.<\/p>\n
Emily Mabasa, an ambassador for The President\u2019s Award for Youth Empowerment, gave the learner\u2019s a heartwarming speech about confidence.<\/p>\n
Emily was born with cerebral palsy, a muscle disorder that is caused by damage that occurs to the immature developing brain.<\/p>\n
She encouraged learners to believe in themselves and to always strive to excel.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a dancer, a poet, and a fashion designer, but all of this would not be possible if I wasn\u2019t active.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was 12, I told my doctor I was tired of my wheelchair and wanted to learn how to walk. He told me that was impossible.<\/p>\n
\u201cI took out the \u2018i\u2019 and the \u2018m\u2019 from the word impossible and told him \u2018I\u2019m possible\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you change your mindset, you can change your life,\u201d said Emily.<\/p>\n