Celebs in bid to raise R1m for Mpepule school
OVER 25 celebrities will pose for selfies with their fans in a bid to raise R1-million to build a new school for the displaced pupils of Mpepule Primary School in Limpopo.
The campaign, called #Selfie4Change, will see some of SA’s top personalities gather at the Southern Sun Hotel in Sandton on Saturday to take pictures with their fans. Each selfie will cost R50, which will go towards raising the R1-million needed to build a new school for the 142 pupils.
Sowetan ran a series of stories about the dire situation at Mpepule this year. Pupils were found using three classrooms for learning during the day and for sleeping at night. They answered the call of nature in the bushes, while two pupils were bitten by snakes while sleeping.
The school was shut down and pupils were forced to look for alternative schools. The provincial department of education claimed not to have funds to build a new school.
On Saturday, fans will rub shoulders with stars like Da Les, Nomuzi Mabena, Boity Thulo, Bontle Modiselle, Nadia Nakai, Zahara, Nonhle Thema, Maps Maponyane, DJ C-Live and many more. The event is a collaboration between Celebs4Change and Tomorrow’s Geniuses. The organisation raises funds for various charities that have interest in children and their education.
Celebs4Change co-founder Shally Nullens said the situation at Mpepule and what the pupils are going through talked to what her organisation was all about.
“Their neglect and lack of access to education is exactly what we stand against. We want to build this school and finish it by January next year so that other children from other schools who are in similar situation can also be accommodated in the new school,” said Nullens.
Nakai, a hip-hop sensation, is excited about the campaign.
Thema said being a mother made her personalise the crisis at Mpepule.