On 18 July 2016, the Military Academy members participated in 67 minutes as part of Mandela Day celebrations, in order to make a change in the Saldanha Military Area, as well as in the Saldanha Bay community. This year the Military Academy collaborated with members from Arcelor Mittal, under the guidance of Ms Lebo Mokete.
Under the leadership of the Military Academy Sergeant Major, Master Warrant Officer Cedric Abrahams, the students and staff members were divided into teams and several areas were attended to.
Inside the Military Base, the two children's play parks were cleaned and the play equipment were repaired. Another grouping cleaned the beach at North Bay as well as the braai areas at the bay. Members also cleaned the historical graveyard of the Sadie family inside the base.
Three Day Care Centres were attended to during the day. At Hopland Day Care Centre, members cleaned the yard by cutting the grass and cleaning the premises. The mess personnel of the Military Academy under the leadership of Warrant Officer Class 1 Gordon Phongolo handed out soop and bread to the children and staff of the centre. At the Albertina Sisulu Day Care Centre, the Military Academy members planted tyres along their pathway and cleaned the whole area. They used paint donated by Arcelor Mittal to paint all the outside play equipment. The Military Academy also donated carpets for their classes. At the Mfesane Day Care Centre, members cleaned the play area and fixed their fence, as well as donated some carpets to the centre.
Through a collaboration with Arcelor Mittal, the Military Academy tended to a household full of young children of which the eldest is 20 years old. Bedding, food, etc were donated. Arcelor Mittal will replace their house structure in the near future and the Military Academy student community interaction group (Masiza) will visit them regularly and act as mentors for these young people.
Another group lend their support towards the Anglican Church in Saldanha, where the walls were scrubbed, gutters cleaned and shrubs and rubbish were removed. The trees and plants around the church were also trimmed. The last group assisted the West Coast Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD Centre) to clean the area and establish a vegetable and herb garden with plants donated by Arcelor Mittal.
Although this day was about giving, the Military Academy members received irreplaceable moments and memories of gratitude by interacting with the different entities and people. It also reflected the Military Academy's commitment to the community and the overall aim of 67 minutes.
Photos and Article: Major Engela Meintjes (Military Academy Communication Officer)
Photos
1 – Sergeant Barry Plaatjies (left) and Captain Swipey Lourens taking a donated carpet inside the Mfesane Centre
2 – Members at the Albertina Sisulu Day Care Center
