A fun day at the circus for 67 pupils from an Mvezo school was one of the early activities to mark Mandela Day, the global commemoration today of deceased President Nelson Mandela’s birthday.
Mandela was born at Mvezo on July 18 1918.
The international icon’s eldest grandson and Mvezo chief, Mandla Mandela, and wife, Nosekeni (the former Rabia Clarke), chaperoned the 67 pupils from Makgatho Lewanika Mandela Primary School to East London where they attended one of the final shows of the Aussie Circus Spectacular yesterday.
Mandla said: “Young and old pay tribute to an amazing hero and global icon whose life, struggle and triumph against adversity continues to inspire millions from the smallest villages to the largest cosmopolitan hubs and suburbia.
“Few things captivate the human mind as intensely as his 27-year incarceration. He wasn’t the first nor the last to be incarcerated on Robben Island, but the image of him staring defiantly out of his cell and gripping the bars that stood between him and freedom cuts a rare glimpse into the making of an icon,” Mandla said.
Mandela, who died on December, 5 2013 would today be turning 98.
“In life and in death he continues to inspire millions the world over, and it has become an astounding monument to his greatness that he is no more in our midst, but his legacy goes on and the light of his life shines ever brighter with each passing day.
“He continues to inspire us with the hope that the world can be a better place.
“His life since he was a young adult until his dying day was rooted entirely in the struggle for freedom, liberation and peace. One-time revolutionary, guerilla, commander-in-chief, even terrorist and primary ideologue Madiba’s life under apartheid was the epitome of struggle, defiance and resoluteness in the face of brutality, repression and oppression.”
He said that in triumph Madiba emerged as dignified, gracious and wholly reconciliatory towards his erstwhile political enemies, detractors and foes showing the highest degree of respect, deference and dignity.
As part of Mandela Day events:
l Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa will reopen the newly refurbished Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha today;
- The Nosekeni Nongaphi Mandela Clinic – named after Madiba’s mother – will be offering free healthcare services today. Although the clinic will start operating today it will be officially opened in September;
- Clarke Consultants will distribute 500 sanitary towel packs to female pupils at the Mandela School of Science & Technology in Mvezo today;
- OR Tambo District Municipality employees will conduct a massive cleaning of Mthatha CBD, between 10am to 11am and Buffalo City Metro will embark on a similar campaign;
- In partnership with Anglo Gold-Ashanti, OR Tambo District Municipality will paint the Ikhwezi Lokusa Special School;
- In partnership with Ibandla Lasemthini Evangelical Movement Church, the municipality will conduct a prayer service for a family with three children living with different disabilities in Slovo Park.
A process to build a house for the family has started.
The institution is the process of securing unique wheelchairs.
lThe Circle SuperSpar and Rotary Club will hand over food, cosmetics and personal care products to Empilweni home for the elderly in Mthatha; and
lThembelihle Home for abused and orphaned children will sing for the elderly people and there will be freshly baked cakes. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za.
Mvezo school outing to circus signals early start to Mandela Day activities
Mandela was born at Mvezo on July 18 1918.
The international icon’s eldest grandson and Mvezo chief, Mandla Mandela, and wife, Nosekeni (the former Rabia Clarke), chaperoned the 67 pupils from Makgatho Lewanika Mandela Primary School to East London where they attended one of the final shows of the Aussie Circus Spectacular yesterday.
Mandla said: “Young and old pay tribute to an amazing hero and global icon whose life, struggle and triumph against adversity continues to inspire millions from the smallest villages to the largest cosmopolitan hubs and suburbia.
“Few things captivate the human mind as intensely as his 27-year incarceration. He wasn’t the first nor the last to be incarcerated on Robben Island, but the image of him staring defiantly out of his cell and gripping the bars that stood between him and freedom cuts a rare glimpse into the making of an icon,” Mandla said.
Mandela, who died on December, 5 2013 would today be turning 98.
“In life and in death he continues to inspire millions the world over, and it has become an astounding monument to his greatness that he is no more in our midst, but his legacy goes on and the light of his life shines ever brighter with each passing day.
“He continues to inspire us with the hope that the world can be a better place.
“His life since he was a young adult until his dying day was rooted entirely in the struggle for freedom, liberation and peace. One-time revolutionary, guerilla, commander-in-chief, even terrorist and primary ideologue Madiba’s life under apartheid was the epitome of struggle, defiance and resoluteness in the face of brutality, repression and oppression.”
He said that in triumph Madiba emerged as dignified, gracious and wholly reconciliatory towards his erstwhile political enemies, detractors and foes showing the highest degree of respect, deference and dignity.
As part of Mandela Day events:
l Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa will reopen the newly refurbished Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha today;
A process to build a house for the family has started.
The institution is the process of securing unique wheelchairs.
lThe Circle SuperSpar and Rotary Club will hand over food, cosmetics and personal care products to Empilweni home for the elderly in Mthatha; and
lThembelihle Home for abused and orphaned children will sing for the elderly people and there will be freshly baked cakes. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za.
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