Rotary Club of Pretoria East Marks Mandela Day with the Second Harambee Youth Holiday Programme
Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s belief that “what counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived, but what difference we have made to the lives of others,” the Rotary Club of Pretoria East (RCPE) celebrated Mandela Day through its second Harambee Youth Holiday Programme at Emasangweni Primary School in Mamelodi East.
The initiative brought together Rotarians, Rotaractors, diplomatic families, community volunteers and young people with one shared purpose—to create a cleaner, more welcoming learning environment for local learners. Volunteers cleaned classrooms, washed windows, organised learning spaces and helped prepare the school for the new term.
Harambee, a Swahili word meaning “all pull together,” reflects Rotary’s belief that lasting change happens when communities work together. The programme was designed not only to serve the school but also to inspire young people to develop leadership, empathy and a lifelong commitment to community service.
This year’s programme also highlighted RCPE’s growing diplomatic and community engagement. Several diplomatic families participated, including the High Commissioner of Jamaica and her family. Their involvement added a valuable dimension of cultural exchange, bringing together children and volunteers from different backgrounds to learn from one another while serving a common cause.
For many of the young volunteers, the experience was eye-opening. Several reflected that although they attend schools with greater resources, spending time at Emasangweni Primary School gave them a deeper appreciation of their own opportunities and a stronger sense of responsibility to support those less fortunate. It was a powerful reminder that service begins with understanding and compassion.
The programme also introduced participants to Rotaract, Rotary’s global network for young adults, encouraging them to continue serving their communities while developing leadership skills.
The impact extended beyond the day’s activities. Rotarians and friends of the club donated much-needed classroom resources, including shelving, storage units, preschool educational toys and books, ensuring that the benefits of Mandela Day will continue long after the volunteers have left.
While Mandela Day is traditionally associated with 67 minutes of service, the true significance lies not in the time given but in the willingness to make a difference. Throughout the day, volunteers demonstrated that even simple acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact on a community.
The Rotary Club of Pretoria East extends its sincere appreciation to every volunteer, donor and community partner who contributed to the success of the programme, as well as to the leadership and staff of Emasangweni Primary School for their warm welcome and collaboration.
As the Harambee Youth Holiday Programme continues to grow, RCPE hopes to inspire even more young people to discover that service is not simply an event, but a way of life.
On this Mandela Day, the volunteers honoured Madiba’s legacy not only through their actions, but by demonstrating that when people from different generations, cultures and communities come together in service, they can create meaningful and lasting change.
About Rotary District 9400 Rotary District 9400 is part of Rotary International, a global network of neighbours, friends, and community and business leaders who volunteer their time and talents to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.
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