Emeris And Vega School At Emeris Staff And Students Give Back During Mandela Month

In honour of Mandela Day and Mandela Month, some of the staff and students from Emeris Durban North and The Vega School at Emeris uMhlanga dedicated their time and talent to uplifting their local communities.

Their efforts supported Briardene Primary School, the Team Care Assisted Living Centre, The Domino Foundation, the SA Outreach and Emergency Services and the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre.

Staff at both campuses prepared sandwiches for the elderly and frail residents at the Team Care Assisted Living Centre in Asherville and for beneficiaries of the SA Outreach and Emergency Services.

Emeris Durban North staff also held a Mandela Day Walk to Freedom and donated tinned food to The Domino Foundation before participating in a symbolic Mandela Day 67-minute walk around campus.

"Madiba taught us that we all have the power to make a difference, regardless of how small the act may seem. Our Emeris Durban North 67-minute walk was about more than marking Mandela Day. It was about walking together with purpose, strengthening our sense of community, and reminding ourselves that collective action has the power to change lives," said Cathy Durholz (Campus Deputy Head Emeris Durban North).

"Seeing our staff enthusiastically support the initiative, donate generously and spend time together was incredibly rewarding. As Madiba so aptly said: 'It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it'," she added.

The spirit of service continued at Briardene Primary School in Greenwood Park, Emeris Durban North's KHUMO (Kid Heroes Under the Mentorship of Others) partner. Staff and students rolled up their sleeves to repaint the Grade R play area, the jungle gym and three classrooms after rain had damaged the paintwork.

Shreya Sewsanker (third year IIE Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences in Application Development student and member of the student wellbeing body Emeris Cares) said the most inspiring part of the day wasn't the painting, but the people.

"Future educators, accountants, lawyers, developers and student leaders all set aside their own commitments to spend time serving their community. It was a reminder that the qualities that shape great professionals which include empathy, service, teamwork and leadership, are developed just as much outside the lecture room as they are in it. Giving back, leading with purpose, and investing in our communities are just as important as the qualifications, we'll one day graduate with," she said.

Prebashini Beekuram (Departmental Head at Briardene Primary School) said the school was grateful for the staff and students' efforts. "It was an exciting start to the third term for our learners, who were over the moon with the improvements to their play area. The teachers were equally excited," she said.

Meanwhile, students and staff at The Vega School at Emeris uMhlanga collected and distributed pamper packs containing toiletries, toothpaste, and soap to residents at the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre.

"For us, Mandela Day was about putting compassion into action. Every pamper pack represented a small act of kindness and together they showed our students how meaningful it is to use their time and resources to make someone else's day a little brighter," said Nivedita Dayanand (Counsellor at The Vega School at Emeris uMhlanga).

Both campuses’ Mandela Month initiatives reflected a shared commitment to service, reminding staff and students that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a lasting difference in the communities they serve.