​This year the airport is taking 32 matric learners from schools located in the vicinity, along with airport staff volunteers to visit Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island. A heart-felt thanks to Robben Island who partnered with the airport for the educational tour.

The airport is fully committed to its communities, in addition to the educational tour our fire fighters will be keeping the community of Freedom Farm (an informal settlement on the airports precinct) warm by giving the children soup on Mandela Day, 200 mouths will be fed on the day. This is another way of caring for our communities. “Mandela Day is about individuals taking action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so, building a global movement for good. The airport is doing its bit with the aim of educating learners about the former statesman and what he stood for. In the process the airport hopes to inspire these learners to think beyond their circumstances and be custodians of the late Tata Mandela’s legacy,” said Deidre Davids, Communications Manager: Cape Town International Airport.

Due to weather conditions the learners will not visit the island but will instead be taken on an educational tour of the Nelson Mandela Museum and also get an opportunity to interact with ex-political prisoners who will share their experiences of their life on. “We hope that the visit will encourage the students to continue working hard in making their dreams a reality,” added Davids.

Nelson Mandela once said "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." As an airport, education forms part of our key pillars for Socio-Economic Development that is why we have decided to spend the day with the learners to educate them about Nelson Mandela, the history of Robben Island which is now a heritage site. “We hope the students will walk away from this excursion knowing that no matter their circumstances, with determination they can achieve your goals,” added Davids. 
 
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