Tyger Valley Centre focused on children and food security this Mandela Day

One of the themes of this year’s Mandela Day was food security, and Tyger Valley Centre took the mantra “Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are” to heart by visiting and supporting two Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Cape Town. On July 18, Tyger Valley Centre’s management staff did their 67 minutes at the Drie Beertjies ECD in Fisantkraal, Durbanville - by building a vegetable garden for the children, before handing over lunchboxes. Outdoor play equipment, educational toys and learning material was also donated.

That afternoon, more educational toys and equipment was handed over to Ukama Community Centre in Capricorn Park, Muizenburg, alongside a hot meal for the 80 children. “Tyger Valley wants to make a significant impact in our communities,” said the Centre’s marketing manager, Alleta van Wyk. “Malnutrition is a big problem in the Western Cape, especially amongst children. We believe that optimum nutrition early in life can permanently alter an individual’s development direction and maximise their potential, so Tyger Valley Centre decided to contribute positively and help to combat the issue with a healthy meal and by creating a sustainable veggie garden for the school.”

The children at the ECD’s range in age from two to six years’ old and were surprised by the Tyger Valley Centre mascots -Tom and Tina, who entertained them on the day. During the 67 minutes, the staff focused on showing the children how to plant seasonal vegetable seedlings and teaching them how to take care of their organic garden in a chemical-free way. Mandela Day this year was focused on promoting community and home-based gardens, supporting fruit and indigenous tree planting, and creating awareness of the intersections between food security and climate change.

“The impact that we created was beyond expectation from the Drie Beertjies ECD,” Van Wyk said. “We have expanded our selection of educational learning equipment and material that was donated, thus ensuring longevity for future children in need, and the garden will create sustainable growth of vegetables that will support future savings for the ECD.” Tyger Valley Centre is co-owned by Pareto Limited and Momentum Metropolitan Life Limited, and each owner has invested equally in the two ECD’s with the focus being learning and development of children in their early childhood phase.

“The children had an amazing Mandela Day, and we are grateful to Tyger Valley Centre for their commitment to the seven ECD’s under our care,” said Ukama Community Foundation founder, Janine Roberts. “Our schools are underdeveloped and the equipment such as the mats, crayons, books, educational toys and play equipment goes a long way to supporting the early development in the children in these communities.”

Children from Drie Beertjies ECD in Fisantkraal, Durbanville, receiving their lunchboxes.

Tyger Valley mascot, Tina Tiger enjoys her Mandela Day at Drie Beertjies ECD in Fisantkraal, Durbanville.

Children from Drie Beertjies ECD in Fisantkraal, Durbanville, enjoying the donated educational toys.

Tyger Valley representatives with the caregivers and children from Drie Beertjies ECD in Fisantkraal, Durbanville.

Tyger Valley representatives handing over educational items to representatives of Ukama Community Holdings, Muizenberg.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived; it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

- Nelson Mandela