Michael Power
Studens at Elder’s Mills Public School will honour former South African leader Nelson Mandela at an event at their school Tuesday.
Vaughan
April 24, 2008 10:23 PM
By: Michael Power
The global struggle for human rights has many heroes. But for Grade 8 student Amol Gill, Nelson Mandela stands above the others.
It is the man’s ability to lead and affect change — even through 27 years behind bars — that so impresses the Elder’s Mills Public School student.
“He’s an inspiration,” he said. “A man who can lead is a man who can succeed and I see that in Nelson Mandela. Hopefully, I’ve taken on that character trait.”
He was speaking after a presentation at the school Tuesday to celebrate and learn about the life of Nelson Mandela. The half-day event featured highlights such as speeches, musical performances and a poetry reading.
Grade 6, 7 and 8 students participated in the event. Several choirs performed, along with the school’s student drummers.
As well, South Africa’s Consul General in Toronto, Nogolide Nojozi, spoke to the assembly.
The event was organized by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, which raises money and awareness of the challenges facing youth in South Africa.
Dubbed the Spirit of Mandela week, April 21 to 25 marks an opportunity for students to discuss values such as tolerance, justice and freedom, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund CEO Mark Beckles said.
Students can better understand those values by studying South Africa’s journey to freedom and the role Mr. Mandela played in that journey, he said.
“In spite of that history, they have been able to live in peace and harmony, they have worked toward the spirit of inclusion,” Mr. Beckles said.
The symbol of freedom and change Mr. Mandela represents can help students realize their own potential, said Toronto poet Michelle Muir, who read during the presentation.
Ms Muir, a Grade 4 teacher in Peel and CBC Radio’s 2006 poet laureate, was impressed by the enthusiasm the students expressed during the two-hour event.
“We’re making our kids aware of what Nelson Mandela did and what they can do,” Ms Muir said. “I’m tingling from what I saw from beginning to end.”
The Spirit of Mandela half-day conference will again take place at Bayview Fairways Public School in Thornhill tomorrow starting at 9:15 a.m.