Congratulations to Limbikani Kadango for being chosen as a Brand ambassador for the Nelson Mandela School SleepOut . We submitted his application form last Thursday 31 May 2018 in order for him to be considered as a Brand Ambassador. We were notified on Monday that he was a. successful applicant! Hip, hip Hoorah!
He will be one of the Brand Ambassadors required to use their influence and voice to spread the message of positive social change to their peers. Across all platforms, he and his fellow ambassadors will support fellow learner and teachers to participate in the Nelson Mandela School SleepOut
As a Brand Ambassador, he will have the opportunity to promote our school and encourage other schools to #RiseToTheChallenge and participate in their own The Nelson Mandela School SleepOut™ – Empowered by Liliesleaf: For The Tomorrow Trust Event.
My name is Limbikani Kadango. I am 12 years old. I was born in Gweru in Zimbabwe in 2006. I came to South Africa when I was 3 years old. I remember it being an exciting time travelling in the bus from Beit Bridge into South Africa. I loved seeing the different architecture because in Zim the architecture is mostly rectangular, plain, and colourless. I am a learner at CityKidz Pre & Primary school. I am a cautious but adventurous kind of person. I know when to be careful and when to have fun. My family is very important to me and my education is what drives me. I was excited when I heard that I had been chosen as an ambassador for The School SleepOut because I want to make a difference and provide people living in poverty with hope. My family have taught me that there is always hope and by coming to South Africa they were able to give my sister and I a better life.
What do you feel about The Homeless and Homelessness, how can You, Your School and all of us make a difference?
I travel to school each day with my Mom. We get to school early and on our way to school I see what being homeless is all about. I see homeless people every day because I attend an inner city school in the centre of Johannesburg CBD. The streets of central Johannesburg are home to many homeless women, men and children, looking for warmth and shelter.
I see homeless people sleeping on the street directly opposite our school. I see the harsh conditions outside on the street. I see homeless people wrapped up in old and tatty blankets. I see the fires they have made to keep warm during the cold nights. I see the rags they wear.
I see that everything they own is with them. I see that many of them are very young. I see some inject drugs into their arms. I see some smoking dagga. I see some drinking alcohol or sniffing glue. I see the homeless prostitutes on the street corners. I see the eyes of many young men who have giving up on life, hope and their dreams.
I see the sadness I often wonder “How did they get there?”. I know that they don’t like to live that kind of life. I worry about their future. It makes me so sad. I often think how can I help?
Luckily, our school CityKidz has taught me that there is a way in which I can help. We are not a wealthy school but we still believe we can help others less fortunate. This will be the third year our school will take part in the Sleepout. Our motto for the Sleepout is “ #No matter how little we have we can always give back.” We believe we can still support and show kindness for those in need. All my friends collect for charity even those who come from very poor homes give back even if it is one teabag. We can make a difference. I can make a difference.
