Image via: Jenny Griesel
Nomzamo Mbatha joins fight for quality education in South Africa
Actress Nomzamo Mbatha partook in the official opening of the Ethekwini Primary School in KwaMashu, Durban on Thursday.
Image via: Jenny Griesel
South African actress, businesswoman and human rights activist Nomzamo Mbatha, has partnered with the Cotton On Foundation — a philanthropic arm of Australia’s largest fashion retailer the Cotton On Group — to create widespread change in the lives of young people in South Africa.
Nomzamo was announced as the first Cotton On Foundation Ambassador in South Africa at the official opening of the Ethekwini Primary School on Thursday 13 February. Situated in KwaMashu, a township 12 kilometres north of Durban, the school marks the first big milestone in a long-term partnership between the foundation and the community.
“So honoured to be announced today as the @cottononfoundtn Global Ambassador. The announcement being in the township that raised me, KWAMASHU Durban, at the official opening of Ethekwini Primary School,” Mbatha tweeted on Thursday.
Mbatha an advocate for quality education
Nomzamo uses her personal experiences as a means to help young people gain access to quality education, regardless of their personal or financial circumstances.
“It is a heartwarming and fulfilling moment for me to be part of EThekweni Primary, in the township that raised me, Kwamashu. Education is incredibly close to my heart, as it was my way out. My mother is a teacher so I understand the impact of the foundation’s partnership with EThekweni Primary School,” said Mbatha.
“I am honoured to support the Cotton On Foundation’s work with local communities to ensure that young people have access to quality education. Education empowers individuals and the communities around them, it builds economies and reduces inequalities,” she added.
State of the art school handed over
The foundation, in partnership with the KwaMashu community, has delivered a state of the art school and created 1 280 education placements for primary school pupils.
The foundation’s next project partner is Dr JL Dube High School, also located in KwaMashu.
“This project brings to life the foundation’s ‘Child’s Journey’ model and will close the loop on local children gaining quality education in KwaMashu from primary through to secondary school,” said a statement.
“Ethekwini Primary School is the 24th Cotton On Foundation supported school that has opened around the globe. And it’s especially important to us because it’s our first foundation-supported school here in South Africa”, said Country Manager of the Cotton On Group, Natalie Wills.
