As part of the International Mandela Day celebrations, celebrated on Monday 18 July, and the Mandela month, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille had visited Encotsheni Primary School and a local community project, Iliso Care Society organisation.
During the visit on Monday 25 July, De Lille planted seeds in their garden at Encotsheni and spent time with children at the centre.
Iliso, a non profit organisation (NPO), runs various programmes in a quest to build a better community.
While at the school De Lille stated that her department adopted the project a couple of years ago and is planning to put in a borehole and build an irrigation scheme for the project.
“This is what Tata Madiba was striving for. Tata Madiba once said that a nation that cannot look after its children is not worth to be called a nation. We will ensure that every six months the project is getting seeds to plant. We would love to see this project developing and making change in the community,” said De Lille.
She stated that within two months the borehole will be installed. “We need to follow procedures. I believe the whole administration process will take a month then after that will start its construction,” she said.
Founder of Iliso Vivian Zilo said it is a great feeling to be visited by the minister. She described the project as part of alleviating poverty in the community.
“It means a lot to us as staff members and to the children at large. There is a lot that we are doing here besides the food garden. We also have a soup kitchen, youth programme, sewing, creche, homebase careers etc,” she stated.