Thebe Public School Celebrates New Mandela Day Library

At 9 a.m., the grounds of Thebe Public School buzzed with anticipation. Over 1,460 children gathered to welcome guests and dignitaries for the opening of their Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Library.

The township of Mamafubedu came alive with school leaders, ANC representatives, and community members. Entertainment came courtesy of the school choir and drum majorette squad, who set the tone for a day of celebration.

This library installation was part of the Joburg2C mountain bike race’s community give-back initiative, marking the eighth library delivered in partnership with race organisers and generous sponsors: Old Mutual Joberg2C, Avis, Hollard, Fussell & Associates, and Momentum Consult.

Programme director and principal, Me Rebecca Mokoena, guided the morning with grace, from Rev Baleni’s opening prayer to heartfelt speeches by long-time supporter Andrew Fussell. Mandela Bangle Programme CEO Robert Coutts captivated the children with memorable quotes from Nelson Mandela, encouraging them to pursue their education as a pathway to opportunity.

The new facility was stocked with:

• 560 new readers, some in local Sesotho, from Qualibooks Naledi

• 250 magazines from Joe’s Magz in Johannesburg

The day closed with a shared lunch for all, sealing the joy of knowing that more than 1,400 children now have access to books and a safe space to read, learn, and grow.