Nelson Mandela’s magnetic force lives on. This was evident on the birthday of South Africa’s first black president on Saturday, as millions around the globe from non-governmental organisations, political formations, interest groups and individuals volunteered their time by embarking on activities aimed at improving the lives of the less fortunate.
In the areas surrounding his birthplace, Mvezo, and around Mthatha, senior government officials and prominent South Africans rolled up their sleeves and took time out sprucing up schools, donating to hospitals and visiting patients.
They entertained children and made contributions to advance education, two issues dear to Madiba’s heart.
Members of the Mandela Royal family, notably grandsons Ndaba and Mandla Mandela, took a lead in all the activities.
Children played games and were entertained by a host of local and international artists at a music concert held in Qunu while in Mvezo, family heir Chief Mandla Mandela planted trees at Makgatho Lewanika Primary School and dished out groceries to local villagers in the presence of government ministers.
They included Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Fikile Xasa.
In Qunu, sports, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina handed out sports gear to schools while agriculture MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane mingled with the crowd.
In Qunu, actors and actresses in conjunction with the SABC Foundation helped to paint Thandokazi Primary opposite Qunu forest.
Although delighted by the revamp, the school’s principal Nonkumbulo Mandela used the opportunity to highlight serious infrastructural challenges that impeded teaching and learning.
In Mvezo Village, Xasa said Mandela’s birthday celebrations were here to stay as a token of eternal gratitude to the 67 years of his life he dedicated to the struggle for liberation.
“All of us must be committed. We are going to celebrate Mandela in his absence and this is going to continue until some of us who knew him are no longer around,” said Xasa. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Goodwill legacy survives Madiba
In the areas surrounding his birthplace, Mvezo, and around Mthatha, senior government officials and prominent South Africans rolled up their sleeves and took time out sprucing up schools, donating to hospitals and visiting patients.
They entertained children and made contributions to advance education, two issues dear to Madiba’s heart.
Members of the Mandela Royal family, notably grandsons Ndaba and Mandla Mandela, took a lead in all the activities.
Children played games and were entertained by a host of local and international artists at a music concert held in Qunu while in Mvezo, family heir Chief Mandla Mandela planted trees at Makgatho Lewanika Primary School and dished out groceries to local villagers in the presence of government ministers.
They included Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Fikile Xasa.
In Qunu, sports, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina handed out sports gear to schools while agriculture MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane mingled with the crowd.
In Qunu, actors and actresses in conjunction with the SABC Foundation helped to paint Thandokazi Primary opposite Qunu forest.
Although delighted by the revamp, the school’s principal Nonkumbulo Mandela used the opportunity to highlight serious infrastructural challenges that impeded teaching and learning.
In Mvezo Village, Xasa said Mandela’s birthday celebrations were here to stay as a token of eternal gratitude to the 67 years of his life he dedicated to the struggle for liberation.
“All of us must be committed. We are going to celebrate Mandela in his absence and this is going to continue until some of us who knew him are no longer around,” said Xasa. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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