On 18 July 2025, Eagle’s Nest Christian Primary School in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein was filled with colour, laughter, and connection. In the true spirit of Mandela Day, learners, teachers, and volunteers joined Breadline Africa, Capfin, and our Baz-Art team to celebrate the installation of a brand-new kitchen at the school: a life-changing addition that will provide hundreds of children with nourishing meals every day.
To mark the occasion, we led a Paint-by-Numbers mural activity designed by local artist Mernette Swartz, aka BLAKZ. At the heart of the mural is a powerful image: five arms holding each other in a circle, symbolising unity and support. The words HOPE and UBUNTU stand boldly at the centre, reminding everyone of the strength found in the community. Surrounding this core are vibrant, colourful depictions of fruit: painted in bright, unexpected hues as children and volunteers embraced a bit of artistic license and made the mural their own.
As the day unfolded, blank panels turned into a dynamic explosion of colour and meaning. Children, staff, and volunteers worked side by side, each brushstroke reinforcing the message at the centre of the mural: that if we hope together, we rise together. The process was just as moving as the finished work: a reminder that giving people space to create can foster confidence, joy, and a sense of belonging.
Moments like these capture what Mandela Day is all about: uplifting others and planting seeds of hope for the future. Watching the learners step back and smile at the mural they’d helped create was unforgettable.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Breadline Africa, Capfin, Eagle’s Nest staff, BLAKZ, and every volunteer who made this day possible. Together, we didn’t just make the space beautiful, we brought a vision of hope and ubuntu to life, one brushstroke at a time.
We look forward to seeing this new kitchen and mural nourish both bodies and spirits for years to come. Here’s to more moments where art and community come together to create lasting change.
