Rangers donate container to Little Angels

Liezel Mathews and Fulya Hartley cut the ribbon.

A Mandela Day initiative by Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) rangers sparked further benefit for the Little Angels Community Centre as the Hangberg-based organisation received a much-needed container last week.

Little Angels is a creche and community centre caring for more than a hundred children in Hout Bay.

On Mandela Day this year, the TMNP rangers, joined by honorary rangers from the Table Mountain region, undertook a mini renovation of the centre, including building a new deck, painting and upgrading the ablution facilities. During the initiative, Little Angels principal Liezel Mathews mentioned that the centre could benefit from additional space that could serve as an office and sick bay facility.

Honorary ranger vice-chairperson, George Smith, took this request to his fellow rangers, who managed to quickly source a container from Gavin Prinsloo, operations director of Philippi-based Intercon Trading and Logistics, who also equipped the container with a door, windows, insulated walls, electric fittings and a new coat of red paint. All these items were constructed from recycled materials.

The complete container, revealed to the community at Little Angels on Thursday October 18, was transported to the centre by Ish Rigging Solutions.

“I must pay tribute to our foreman, Ronald Rhode, who was responsible for the design of the container and managing the project. Our team has been terrific,” Mr Prinsloo said at the unveiling ceremony.

“Uplifting kids is very close to my heart, so I feel very honoured to be here for this occasion. The structure is fully certified, including the electricity connection.”

Mr Smith said the project had been well managed by all the stakeholders involved. “Liezel said she wanted an office space and sick bay, so we are very happy that we have been able to provide this,” he said.

Ms Mathews said the new container represented a culmination of her dream to make Little Angels a top-class facility for children. “I am proud of myself and proud of my teachers, and I am so grateful for all our funders who support us. I want to thank all those who have supported me in my eight-year journey: my husband, my dad who raised one of the toughest women, our volunteers from Switzerland and Germany, the community, and the Peace and Mediation Forum, which has always helped me in difficult situations,” she said.

Ms Mathews revealed that next year, Little Angels would be adding four more classrooms and another deck.

Little Angels has also been supported by Hout Bay resident Fulya Hartley, who provided furnishings for the new container.

Wana Bacela, the area manager for TMNP’s northern region, said he felt “immense appreciation” for the work stakeholders had undertaken on the project.

“We will always be happy to partner with you. Nelson Mandela had a passion for kids, and you at Little Angels are continuing his legacy,” he said.