MISS South Africa, Natasha Joubert, spent Nelson Mandela International Day at Mveledzandivho Primary School in Chiawelo, Soweto.
Joubert was taken on a walkabout of the school where she also gave an inspirational talk to learners, read to the Grade Rs and helped with some painting.
Joubert – along with sponsor Anglo-Gold Ashanti – has pledged to help the Adopt-a-School Foundation (AASF) school to reach a standard where the learners and teachers have the assets they need to facilitate the best educational outcomes.
AASF – a partner entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation – is a non-profit that supports the creation and enhancement of a conducive learning and teaching environment in disadvantaged schools, using a Whole School Development (WSD) model that focuses on school leadership, curriculum, infrastructure and social welfare. The model ensures the schools are equipped with quality education.
The philosophy fits in with Joubert’s advocacy programme, announced when she was crowned Miss South Africa, and which she has centred around building an equal playing field for every learner.
This year, the slogan for Nelson Mandela International Day is a return to Madiba’s words “It is still in your hands to combat poverty and inequity.”
Joubert said she was delighted to play her part: “I know from experience that the sense of fulfilment that one gets from being able to help someone get an education, to give them a chance in life, is like no other. I urge everyone, particularly corporates looking to make a worthy contribution to education, to get involved.
Adopting a school and providing the necessary funds for infrastructure improvement, curriculum development and equipment procurement allows learners to thrive.”
The Back to School for a Day on Mandela Day is AASF’s annual initiative commemorating active citizenship, volunteerism and organisations that stand on the front line, championing causes that remain crucial to South African society.
Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with Sun International. S3 is the official broadcast partner.
Image (Miss South Africa, Natasha Joubert, spent Nelson Mandela International Day at Mveledzandivho Primary School in Chiawelo, Soweto.)
