The Dolphins embarked on an extended Mandela Day project in the Valley of 1,000 Hills.

In commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day, the Dolphins picked Nyuswa Senior Primary School, located at the Valley of 1,000 Hills in Botha’s Hill, as this year’s recipients of ’67 Minutes for Mandela’.

Dolphins players, KZNCU staff, Associated Host Catering, sponsors Hollywoodbets, AmaZulu FC and members of the KZN Cycling Federation all came together to make this a special day for pupils at the school.

There were various cricket, football and cycling clinics set up for the children to partake in.

On 18 July 2018, Mandela would have turned 100, so the Dolphins decided to use this milestone as part of an ongoing project in conjunction with the school.

According to Nana Ngubane, the marketing manager, this year’s project will run in two phases.

‘Today’s phase was basically a launch of what is about to happen with the school hall as we witnessed that it is in a dire state and in need of significant reconstruction,’ commented Ngubane.

‘We were hoping to open our stakeholders’ eyes and hope that they can see the bigger picture going forward.

‘So, phase two is going to start immediately and we will open it up to the public.

‘As the Dolphins, we would like to urge the community of KwaZulu-Natal and surrounding areas to join hands and assist us in rebuilding the school hall at Nyuswa Primary School that was damaged by heavy rains in 2015.

‘It may not be a lot considering what we have witnessed so far at the school; however, we believe that this may open doors for other organisations to take up tools and join this deed of goodwill that we have begun,’ concluded Ngubane.

As part of the project, the activities included starting a vegetable garden. Pupils in this school rely heavily on meals provided by government feeding programmes and these newly planted vegetables will help in alleviating the reliance on government supply.

Sandile Zondi, the principal, expressed gratitude on behalf of the school.

‘Seeing the Dolphins, AmaZulu FC and others who were present today has brought hope to the school and has made us all believe that change will come,’ he said.

‘Our school was built a long time ago and when those heavy rains damaged our hall in 2015, that put us in a difficult position as we used to utilise it for all our gatherings.

‘Since then, we have been writing to the Department of Education and various organisations, seeking help. However, as we have seen today, nothing has come out of it.

‘We are hoping that this will be a start of remarkable things for our school and that we will regain our dignity,’ said Zondi.

The Dolphins will be collecting donations from the public to rebuild the school hall.

For more information, visit www.dolphinscricket.co.za

Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gameplan Media