The traditions of Christmas stretch far back in time and place, having originated in the northern hemisphere, where it is the height of winter on December 25. Christmas customs draw on those of several festivals that celebrated light amid winter’s darkness, including the Jewish Hanukkah, the Pagan Winter Solstice, the Germanic Yule and an ancient Roman fest called the Birth of the Unconquered Sun.
After a gruelling year of fundraising events, Selborne College and the larger East London community were able to surpass their goal for pupil Ubuko Mpotulo and raise more than R600,000 towards his mechanical hand. The story of Ubuko has been followed by many. At only three years old he contracted viral meningitis and lost both legs and several fingers.