On 18 July 2025, Adopt-a-School Foundation, a partner entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, marked Mandela Day through its annual Back to School for Mandela Day campaign at Hlakaniphani Primary School in Dlamini, Soweto.
The event brought together nearly 300 volunteers, 13 partner companies, and several public figures — all united in the spirit of service and collaboration to improve learning conditions for children.
Activities included the extension and restocking of the school library, renovation of the Grade R building, refurbishment of the sick bay and outdoor play areas, and the renovation of a new multi-purpose sports court. Additional enhancements such as classroom painting, the development of a hopscotch walkway, and the installation of a vegetable garden contributed to a renewed sense of pride and ownership within the school community.
Support from Adopt-a-School Foundation’s partners was critical to the success of this initiative. Companies such as Tamela Holdings, Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, Thrive, ROMH, Cell C, Lesedi Power, Edge & Co, MP+A Foundation, School-Days, Shenzhen International Chamber of Commerce, Colgate, Krispy Kreme, and Vaal Aqua provided resources and manpower for a range of activities. Long-term supporters AngloGold Ashanti and Shoprite Foundation played an essential role in ensuring the sustainability of the improvements, with Shoprite also supplying kitchen resources and hosting a Robo Day introducing learners to coding and robotics.
The presence of well-known personalities, including Penny Lebyane, KNaomi, Matshepo Sekgopi, Ayakha Ntunja, Tshepiso Jeme, and Julius Kgole, added further energy to the day as they engaged with learners, reinforcing the importance of education.
Beyond the physical improvements, the initiative reinforced the values of compassion, collaboration, and community upliftment that Mandela Day embodies. The 2025 campaign at Hlakaniphani Primary demonstrated the transformative power of partnerships in building equitable education, rekindling hope, and creating opportunities for learners to thrive — honouring Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy.
