On Thursday, 21 May the children of three preschools in the Overstrand were the happy recipients of a winter-warming gift of a woollen beanie and scarf from Executive Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU).
The dark grey clouds on the day were a clear reminder of the looming winter weather and the woollen gifts were a welcome treat to stave off the elements.
Rather than the pool of funds derived from private telephone calls made by IMATU members over a period of time being allocated to an event for their enjoyment, a mandate was given to the IMATU Committee by its members to furnish the needs of a community project. To this end, the Mayor was approached for her input on where she thought the money could best be utilised.
Three preschools were identified in the Overstrand area and it was decided that the R6,600 raised would be used to purchase packs of beanies and scarves for the children concerned.
The three schools visited on the day were the Vrolike Vinkies in Mount Pleasant, Siyabulela in Kleinmond and Die Kleine Gansies in Gansbaai.
In her address to the children and teachers the Mayor said, “I am extremely passionate about Early Childhood Development. If we focus our attention on the needs of children at this stage of their learning then they will be adequately prepared by the time they start school. As they sit here today we are looking at the future leaders of our country. We are therefore duty-bound to ensure they are equipped to assume their rightful place in society.”
Francois Willemse, Chairperson of IMATU Western Cape echoed those sentiments and stated, “Our members are actively involved in community driven projects, as is evident here today. We feel that by ploughing back into our communities in this way we will inevitably reap the benefits of a better social order.”
The looks of joy on the faces of the little ones were evidence enough that their gifts were well-received and appreciated.