“Working on this project has been a humbling experience. We are undertaking to shape and influence young minds who we hope to develop into future leaders,” says Makwetla.

More schools will be added to the project that focuses on Grade 6 and Grade 7 learners who are exposed to film-making and cinematography, with the aim of encouraging them to consider it as a career path. It also wants to create an awareness of the political history and leaders of the country highlighting the anti-Apartheid struggle. Furthermore, the aim of this project is to allow the youth to document their everyday lives to encourage them to use the creative arts to express themselves on socio-economic and political issues.

“As a company that is committed to developing the communities in which it operates, MTN is excited to be involved in this project with Tsepiso and the other partners,” says Mapula Bodibe, GM consumer segments at MTN South Africa.

The project will include the donation of equipment to show films and videos, providing information on film studies, learning on the use of image and camera in the telling of stories, and career guidance presentations.

Says Nilesh Singh of Videovision Entertainment; “As Videovision Entertainment is a leading film production company in the country, we welcomed the invitation to partner with the Nelson Mandela Centre for Memory and Tsepiso Makwetla to add a film element to the container library project as we thought it would add value, especially Videovision Entertainment’s productions focus on South Africa’s history. Additionally, Anant Singh’s profile as the leading film producer in the country is seen as a motivating factor to young minds.”

Makwetla will also use the R100 000 donation she received as one of the MTN Y’ello Roses last year to donate relevant books to the school library to assist the learners with the course on film studies.

Her donation will also allow learners to go on excursions to historical sites, places of remembrance, and museums to increase the awareness of learners on the work done on the journey of the country towards democracy.

"The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory is pleased to have received this consignment of books and audio visual material. We hope that it will help build a culture of reading in order to combat illiteracy. It will also help give learners other career opportunities. It serves as a reminder that we can all play our part and help Make Every Day a Mandela Day," said Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory spokesperson, Sello Hatang.

Launched last year, the MTN Y’ello Rose initiative recognises and celebrates the achievements of women as an affirmation of the commitment of the operator to making a positive and lasting change in the lives of women.

“The work done by Tsepiso and the other MTN Y’ello Roses is testament to the effectiveness of this initiative and how the passion of MTN towards empowering the citizens of the country is benefiting those communities who are less fortunate,” concludes Bodibe.