The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund opted out of a big bash for underprivileged kids this year, and will instead deliver gifts to schools, it said on Wednesday.
This was done in an attempt to ”minimise exposing children to unnecessary difficulties”, the fund said in a statement.
In previous years, children gathered at a central point in the former president’s hometown of Qunu in the Eastern Cape to receive gifts.
This resulted in ”turnouts that attracted more than the children for whom the gifts are primarily intended”, the statement said.
This year, gifts were distributed between November 30 and December 2 to 10 schools, including Qunu Centre.
”During the distribution of these gifts, it was also communicated there would be no further distribution beyond the above mentioned dates,” the statement said.
Gifts were provided by companies like Mr Bread, Simba, Pick ‘n Pay, Amadillo Footwear, African Sales corporation and the Edcon Group.
”For the next coming years, any gifts obtained on behalf of children for their Christmas party, will be delivered at respective schools,” the statement said.
Last year’s party was called off amid a crush of pushing and shoving children and parents.
Between 40 000 and 50 000 people turned up — about 20 000 more than expected.
Several children were abandoned.
In 2002, 20 000 people — three times more than expected — turned up for Mandela’s annual bash. Several children were injured in the crush and security guards had to cut down fences. – Sapa