CHRISTMAS is never going to be the same for the children of Qunu following the death of the rural village’s most famous son – Nelson Mandela.
For years youngsters from poor homes around Madiba’s place counted the days until they crossed under the busy N2 highway and escaped grinding poverty for a couple of hours opening presents and eating sweets with the former president.
“They were the best parties I have ever been to in my life,” said Lindelwa Gqabantshi.
Although the party was moved to Johannesburg years ago and the date changed from December to mid-July to coincide with Madiba’s birthday, as long as he was alive, people living near his home hoped they would return.
“Everybody misses them so much, we wished they would happen here again.”
Living with her elderly grandparents and 10 other family members in a hodge podge of Western and traditional-style mud brick homes, the teenager says she will never forget the two Christmas parties she attended at Mandela’s house across the road as long as she lives.
“Everybody was very happy; we ate sweets and chocolates and chicken, we got toys ... it was a real Christmas party.”
She recalled how children were given presents and even shook hands with the global icon.
“We said hello to uTata Mandela and he mentioned our names.
“He did that to every child, we all felt very special – it is something I will never forget.”
Older sister Siphokazi Gqabantshi, who went to three Christmas parties and a birthday party over the years, said Madiba loved children so much he even hugged them. “It was a great privilege to be there; the people loved Madiba. We would eat lots of food and we would also see celebrities there.”
The girl’s elderly grandfather Arlington Gqabantshi, who attended a party with his grandchildren, said it was great because “we never really got nice presents for the children because there is not enough money ... we could not get them nice dresses; we could not get them a piece of cake”.
Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund spokesman Oupa Ngwenya said the most popular Christmas party was in the early days at Mandela’s Qunu home but “they used to be outdoors and at times in stadiums, resulting in massive turnouts that grew risky to the children they were meant for as they attracted the adult community as well”.
He said a decision was taken in 2004 to relocate the party to a “controlled and safe environment”– the fund’s offices in Johannesburg.
“The date was also shifted from December to July ... to resonate with birthday activities of Madiba.”
The event was renamed the Annual Children’s Celebration (ACC) in 2005 and still runs today. “Children take centre stage in shaping how they, as children, want to celebrate Madiba’s birthday,” Ngwenya said. Children run the programme, recite poems, read birthday wishes and provide the entertainment.
The last time Mandela attended was 18 July 2011. “The last two years have seen the ACC being held in honour of Madiba in his absence. The event is now eight years old ... and is set to continue in line with Madiba’s wish.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Qunu’s own Christmas wish
For years youngsters from poor homes around Madiba’s place counted the days until they crossed under the busy N2 highway and escaped grinding poverty for a couple of hours opening presents and eating sweets with the former president.
“They were the best parties I have ever been to in my life,” said Lindelwa Gqabantshi.
Although the party was moved to Johannesburg years ago and the date changed from December to mid-July to coincide with Madiba’s birthday, as long as he was alive, people living near his home hoped they would return.
“Everybody misses them so much, we wished they would happen here again.”
Living with her elderly grandparents and 10 other family members in a hodge podge of Western and traditional-style mud brick homes, the teenager says she will never forget the two Christmas parties she attended at Mandela’s house across the road as long as she lives.
“Everybody was very happy; we ate sweets and chocolates and chicken, we got toys ... it was a real Christmas party.”
She recalled how children were given presents and even shook hands with the global icon.
“We said hello to uTata Mandela and he mentioned our names.
“He did that to every child, we all felt very special – it is something I will never forget.”
Older sister Siphokazi Gqabantshi, who went to three Christmas parties and a birthday party over the years, said Madiba loved children so much he even hugged them. “It was a great privilege to be there; the people loved Madiba. We would eat lots of food and we would also see celebrities there.”
The girl’s elderly grandfather Arlington Gqabantshi, who attended a party with his grandchildren, said it was great because “we never really got nice presents for the children because there is not enough money ... we could not get them nice dresses; we could not get them a piece of cake”.
Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund spokesman Oupa Ngwenya said the most popular Christmas party was in the early days at Mandela’s Qunu home but “they used to be outdoors and at times in stadiums, resulting in massive turnouts that grew risky to the children they were meant for as they attracted the adult community as well”.
He said a decision was taken in 2004 to relocate the party to a “controlled and safe environment”– the fund’s offices in Johannesburg.
“The date was also shifted from December to July ... to resonate with birthday activities of Madiba.”
The event was renamed the Annual Children’s Celebration (ACC) in 2005 and still runs today. “Children take centre stage in shaping how they, as children, want to celebrate Madiba’s birthday,” Ngwenya said. Children run the programme, recite poems, read birthday wishes and provide the entertainment.
The last time Mandela attended was 18 July 2011. “The last two years have seen the ACC being held in honour of Madiba in his absence. The event is now eight years old ... and is set to continue in line with Madiba’s wish.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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