Mandela Day 2 Oceans Vibe Radio and Friends Pay it Forward

Today's post is a pay it forward post, I am not following any of my previous formats and I have added a lot of pictures. 

"The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action 

to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement 

for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere." 

http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/One+Only+Cape+Town+Lunch+Benefit+Mandela+Childrens+1w_OCmjyhWRl.jpg

This is the wish of our Madiba. So this year (my first in Cape town) I decided to gather the Cape Town troops and do a little something for some incredible friends of mine in Gugulethu (affectionately known as Gug's). 2oceansvibe Media were amazing and with the support of Richard Hardiman and Kirsty Solomon we began to plot a course of action.

“Take Action; Inspire Change; 

Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”

(Its funny ironic, not funny haha, that I made that the name of the event, because the actual point of Mandela Day is to inspire people to do service throughout the year, not just on Mandela Day, Mandela day should just be the starting point, a moment of inspiration which leads to ongoing action.) 

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

There will be about 60 to 80 people to feed, including kids (ended up being about 100)

1. DJ’s please bring 5 -10 friends each

2. A Large pot of soup, roll’s and perhaps something sweet 

(please also remember paper cups)

and 3. Spread the word and start collecting now!

This is the Creche'

The Crèche needs:
- Blanket's
- Mattresses (Baby bed/cot mattress),
- Hot water bottles,
- Any educational toys and books for 1 to 4 year olds
(If you have educational toys or books for slightly older kids, nothing will go to waste)
They also need some general supplies, nappies, formula, baby food, baby powder, baby aqueous, etc. These are ongoing needs and so you are always encouraged to drop off supplies at our studio)

Our make-shift stage

The Kids learnt what sounds animal's make so that they could join in with the story

Kiki, Dean, Dan, Dan Green, Kelly, Rox, Benita, Loamie, Aidan and Richard holding up his camera

The Gogo's helping prep lunch: "Shew, too many roll's to butter eish"

Mamzi and me singing “Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika” with the Kids "Remember kids, always hold your hands to your hearts kids"

The wonderful actors doing a reading of the selfish crocodile, far left Benita Doria and Loamie Van Rhyn, with guitar Vaneshran Sixface,  and The Lion narrator Thabang Ruff Sidloyi

The grumpy crocodile was played by Aidan Whytock, he was a little too convincing as the poor kids got an incredible fright. Definitely one of the guiltiest moments in my life. but once he had wipped off his mask they calmed down and really did enjoy the story - Thank Goodness!

The 2oceansvibe team and guests enjoying the play perhaps even a little more than the kids by the looks of things!
From left: Kelly Sweet, Dean Delaney, Roxanne Bennett, Daniel Green, Dan Skinstad, Vanessa Lara Wood, Richard Hardiman, Kirsty Soloman and more.

Jen enthralled in the play

 Vaneshran Sixface played various characters as well as the guitar,

Thabung our wonderful Lion narrator 

The kids ended by running and hugging the crocodile - Thank goodness!

Richard taking more pictures as the kids came together to hug the animals from the play - its all about social media ;-)

Loamie played our mouse and other forest creatures
We all share soup and rolls ...

Jen with one of the kids who fell in love with her, did not want to move from her lap

Rox, Benita, Vanessa and Thabung

My lovely friend Sakhumzi taking pictures

 

Sakura, Shanna and Guto

Dean handing out soup: "Sorry Sipho we only have chicken and veg"

"So you strum it like this..." 

Richard having a conversation about the importance of social media: So kid's you need to just get on the internet and tune into 2oceansvibe Radio as often as possible" 
"Well, kind of, you'll get there just keep practicing"
"I cant, I just cant do it, I cant look at your face anymore"

"Ah look at Sipho trying to hide from Susana"

"I don't know what to do, it's not my fault, I only have this face"

Soccer time with the amanita (the boyz)

Jen: "Ok you can have another sweet little girl"     "Um Benita, they for the kids"

Sakura: "So you smack your hands together         Kelly: "One for you, and one for you, and    

and it makes a clapping sound"                               one for - woops ok I'll have to go get more"

Shanna: "You might want to take the 

sweets out of your hands first"

Vanessa: "Aidan you really scared those poor kids"
Aidan: "Personally I think they handled it really well"
Marlize: "Ah thats sweet, you sharing"

Susana: "Look Mamzi, its christmas!!!"

Mamzi: "OOOOoooo Hi-Bo, sisi it really is!"

In the kitchen with Dan Skinstad, he even washed my soup pot! Good Man!

Handing out sweets with my sister Kiki

A massive THANK YOU to 2oceansvibe and everyone that came out to Gugs or donated goods and made Mandela Day so special, Sakhumzi Mati, 


Thabang Ruff Sidloyi, Marlize Swanepoel,Richard Hardiman, Benita Doria, Daniel Green,Kelly Sweet, Rita Chang, Aidan Whytock,Roxanne Bennett, Vanessa Lara Wood, Marlize Swanepoel, Dan Skinstad, Jen Stevens, Sakura Butler, Vaneshran Sixface, Shanna Freedman,Loamie Van Rhyn, Guto Bussab, Kristen Kennedy, Dax Fine and Dean Delaney.

I deeply hope that this experience has inspired you all to make  Madela Day a regular habit.

My long term goal for the community the is to help buy the property that the crèche is on, so that it can be converted into a self sustaining community center. It is currently owned by a minister in the UK and he is asking a ridiculous price for it, which we are hoping to negotiate down.

There are currently on going needs of supplies as well so if you can help in any way or if you know of any sponsors that may want to come on board and assist on this project we would be extremely grateful, please e-mail me on info@susanakennedy.com

To 2oceansvibe and all my incredible friends, Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all your support and enthusiasm, it will be forever remembered. Please feel free to share this post, send feed back and comments and have a wonderful week!