By Nangamso Mabindla
11 August 2008

LEARNERS from the underprivileged Duncan Village Nompumelelo Primary School were all smiles when the Leiden Youth Brigade stopped over to give them a present from their Leiden counterparts.

The gift, a R2 500 voucher, was the result of a fundraising effort by youngsters from a primary school in the Dutch city, who wanted to make a difference to the lives of their peers in Duncan Village. Present at the handover of the gift was ward councillor Mayenzeke Dinizulu, who said he was proud of the efforts of the Leiden youngsters.

“Leiden does care about our people; [the city is] involved in a number of projects which range in focus from HIV/Aids and solid waste to stormwater management. This gesture from the young people of Leiden is something that we welcome and appreciate,” Dinizulu said.

He encouraged local youngsters to emulate their Leiden counterparts. “I hope that our youth do the same; try to use their skills for the benefit of their community and those less fortunate. I want to thank the youngsters for working hard to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate youth of Duncan Village.”

Dinizulu urged the representatives of the Leiden Youth Brigade to impart some skills to the young people of Buffalo City during their stay at the Phand’ulwazi Children’s Home in King William’s Town.

Leiden international relations co-ordinator Muriel Bosman said that the Dutch visitors were happy to be back in town.

“We are very busy at Phand’ulwazi; we’re painting walls, fixing the roof and the bathrooms. We are working four to five days a week. Today we have chosen to come to hand over this gift from the youngsters from our Leiden primary school; that school has a twinning relationship with Nompumelelo,” Bosman said.

The principal, April Zwelibanzi, thanked the team from Leiden and said the school would use the money wisely. After the visit to Nompumelelo, the Leiden team was entertained by some of Duncan Village’s cultural groups.