Youth Day 2022 saw over 700 fun-loving community members from Mahube Valley, ext 1 in Mamelodi East (Tshwane) paint the town red, blue, green, yellow and more at a fun Colour Run hosted to raise awareness around mental health issues affecting young people.

Energy levels and good vibes were at an all-time high – from the moment when young and the young-at-heart took to the streets for the race to a one-hour aerobics session following the race. Talented local performers also had an opportunity to showcase their singing, dancing and poetry skills on stage! Following the race, 344 children under the age of 16 were served soup and dumplings thanks to NGO, Patch Up who cooked up a storm!

Social media, particularly the Proud of Mamelodi Facebook group, was buzzing as participants posted images that so beautifully capture the spirit of the day. Fun. Hope. Joy. Life. For persons struggling with mental health issues, the world becomes a place void of colour. Grey and lifeless. The Colour Run signified the organisers’ and participants’ shared vision for restoration of joy, peace and emotional wholeness for those battling to stay afloat mentally and emotionally.

Making the day happen was a true team effort – and we have a long list of thank yous!

  • Our primary sponsor, the Nedbank Proud of my Town programme. Thank you to Rhulani Maluleka from Nedbank at Mams Mall for handing over goodie bags and medals.

  • NGO, Brain Waves Development for taking care of all the logistics (and what a fantastic job they did!) as well as sponsoring medals for the first 100 runners to complete the race.

  • Renault (Hatfield) for sponsoring the powder paints and medals for the top 20 runners. Thank you, Charlotte, for your presence!

  • NGO, Patch Up, who made soup and dumplings for the children

  • Programme director, Kau Chimeloane, who made sure word got out about the event and mobilised the community to come together to spread the message of hope. His everyday Motto is “It takes a community to raise a child”, which he echoed throughout the day.

  • Mamelodi Sundowns, Far North branch for the donation of Sundowns T-shirts to some of the performers. Thank you to the Chairperson for his presence and participation.

  • MoFit Fitness instructors for facilitating the aerobics session

  • Pixel Art photography for capturing the story on camera

  • SAPS and the medical team from Mamelodi East for being on standby

  • The 25 volunteers and marshalls who gave freely of their time and energy to ensure the success of the day

  • Every community member who participated so enthusiastically

  • Last, but definitely not least, a big thank you to Lesego Masethe – CEO of Brain Waves Development and also Marketing Coordinator for Ranyaka, who not only took to the stage to introduce the purpose of the day, but who was the overall event coordinator who made this incredible day possible. Thank you, Lesego! You truly spread joy wherever you go!

  • Ranyaka team members who contributed towards the planning and support.

Photography: Pixel Art Pro

Mamelodi is one of  21 communities in 9 towns in 8 provinces that is part of Nedbank’s Proud of my Town initiative. Events such as these form part of the People Care & Development programme under the PoMT umbrella. We strive to see communities prosper in every sense of the word – and this includes a sense of social cohesion, opportunities to relax and have fun, initiatives that promote mental and physical health – and those that carry a message of hope!