Premier Mabuza launches foundation on birthday celebration

Premier Mabuza launches foundation on birthday celebration

Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza celebrated his 54^th birthday in style on Saturday as he brought huge smiles in the faces of his home villagers of Phola near Hazyview.

Although the Premier’s birthday Monday 25 August 2014, he celebrated on Saturday 23 August 2014 with the rest of his community, family, and friends.

More than 4 000 children were treated to fun and game, while 450 elderly women were given food parcels and blankets. As if that was not enough, a further 462 learners from Mdzimba Primary School, the school where the Premier first studied as young boy, received school uniforms, soccer and netball kits.

A real surprise came when the Premier launched a DD Mabuza Foundation, which he described as a “new-born baby” which he said he was handing over to the youth of Mpumalanga to developed themselves. Shortly after its launch, the foundation managed to raise more than R50 million from the pledges in front of a 6 000 strong crowd.

“We have just witnesses the birth of a child called ‘DD Mabuza Foundation’ which I am gladly handing over to the youth of this province. The people who are pledging their support to this foundation are simply saying the youth should go to school and empower itself.

“We are securing our future with this foundation. Education indeed changes life of the very impoverished families to be better, there is no better way of achieving that unless our youth go to school and study. I am not taking these donations for granted, as there is nothing that comes easy in life, it is the hard work and sweat of these men and women who have pledged to say the youth should go to school,” said Mabuza.

He explained that the foundation would focus mainly on providing financial support for in education, look at the affairs of the elderly people, would further deal with matters relevant to health, youth development, environment and sports. The foundation is already registered and has a bank number.

Besides encouraging the youth to go to school, Mabuza has previously supported more than 300 students from his own pocket to pursue higher education. The foundation will help provide a structured support as students always queue at the Premier’s house to ask for financial support.

The Premier further utilized the opportunity to thank his family, friends and the rest of the villagers for the support gave while he was young.

“I thank you all for your special contribution in my life. I think my ancestors are turning in their graves, it feels good to be back home. You taught me well to love, forgive and care for others. I will remain strong and resolute in life,” said Mabuza.

The Premier further utilized the celebration to thank his friends and business people for the support including a well-know businessman Mr Robert Gumede, one of the trustees who donated R5 million to the foundation for a period of five years. Gumede further donated 25 computers with Internet at the school and had brought the games for fun for children.

“Mr Gumede is a good example that nothing is impossible in life,” said Mabuza.

Mabuza further surprised a well-known Mpumalanga gospel group, Masibuyele KuJehova, with a brand new kombi to assist them travel to their gigs.