A replica of Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island cell will be officially opened in Qunu tomorrow. The opening coincides with the first anniversary of the death of the late struggle icon.
Nelson Mandela Museum marketing manager Nokuzola Tetani said the replica of his cell was built by the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) and donated to the museum, in partnership with the Robben Island Museum.
Premier Phumulo Masualle will open the exhibition at the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu.
“The cell will come alive and will be much talked about as most people will for the first time see the cell in which Mandela spent most of his prison years on Robben Island.
The exhibition at the youth centre is only temporary as it will be transferred to the refurbished Nelson Mandela Museum in the Bhunga building in Mthatha. The museum is expected to reopen on February 11.
Tetani said new components to the museum included a reference library, multi-media centre, children’s exhibition rooms, theatre, exhibition halls and orientation centre.
Tetani said they were grateful to the SANDF’s Western Cape division for honouring South Africa’s first democratically elected commander-in-chief.
“We see this initiative as a symbol of unity and appeasement among members of the SANDF who once fought each other.”
Tetani said the cell exhibition would be open for viewing by both all those visiting the museum.
She said Mandela commemoration day would also be marked by a series of events that begin at 7am, which include:
lA Walk-For-Peace and Unity at 7am from the Mandela residence in Qunu to the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre. There will also be a recommitment pledge to Mandela’s values;
lAn amateur boxing tournament symbolising Madiba’s love for boxing and sport at the centre tomorrow evening; and
lThe Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, which opened 10 years ago, and which in conjunction with the Walter Sisulu University will be commemorating Madiba tomorrow. The hospital will also celebrate their 10th anniversary on December 11.
The South African government has lined up a number of activities to commemorate Mandela.
Tomorrow, at exactly three minutes and seven seconds to 10am, all schools, factories and places of worship have been asked to ring their bells and sirens to call the country to attention.
South Africans will then be asked to observe a moment of silence up to 10.03am followed by the singing of the national anthem. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Qunu to see Madiba’s ‘Robben Island cell’
Nelson Mandela Museum marketing manager Nokuzola Tetani said the replica of his cell was built by the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) and donated to the museum, in partnership with the Robben Island Museum.
Premier Phumulo Masualle will open the exhibition at the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu.
“The cell will come alive and will be much talked about as most people will for the first time see the cell in which Mandela spent most of his prison years on Robben Island.
The exhibition at the youth centre is only temporary as it will be transferred to the refurbished Nelson Mandela Museum in the Bhunga building in Mthatha. The museum is expected to reopen on February 11.
Tetani said new components to the museum included a reference library, multi-media centre, children’s exhibition rooms, theatre, exhibition halls and orientation centre.
Tetani said they were grateful to the SANDF’s Western Cape division for honouring South Africa’s first democratically elected commander-in-chief.
“We see this initiative as a symbol of unity and appeasement among members of the SANDF who once fought each other.”
Tetani said the cell exhibition would be open for viewing by both all those visiting the museum.
She said Mandela commemoration day would also be marked by a series of events that begin at 7am, which include:
lA Walk-For-Peace and Unity at 7am from the Mandela residence in Qunu to the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre. There will also be a recommitment pledge to Mandela’s values;
lAn amateur boxing tournament symbolising Madiba’s love for boxing and sport at the centre tomorrow evening; and
lThe Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, which opened 10 years ago, and which in conjunction with the Walter Sisulu University will be commemorating Madiba tomorrow. The hospital will also celebrate their 10th anniversary on December 11.
The South African government has lined up a number of activities to commemorate Mandela.
Tomorrow, at exactly three minutes and seven seconds to 10am, all schools, factories and places of worship have been asked to ring their bells and sirens to call the country to attention.
South Africans will then be asked to observe a moment of silence up to 10.03am followed by the singing of the national anthem. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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