The Inter-Ministerial Committee responsible for the centenary celebrations of the two struggle icons – Nelson Mandela and African National Congress Women’s League Stalwart Mama Albertina Sisulu – says everything is ready for the events.
Committee Chairperson and Minister of Energy Jeff Radebe has thanked in particular the SABC for a number of Radio, TV and Online radio programmes for promoting the legacy of Madiba.
Radebe says this year’s Mandela Day celebration will be different as the traditional 67 minutes of civilian acts and good deeds will be replaced by what he called “a day of service”.
“We are delighted to announce that today marks 12 days to the International Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July. This year’s 18th July will not be observed as a normal International Mandela Day where citizens across the globe donate 67 minutes of their time performing only acts of good deeds to those in need, but will be used as an opportunity for us to remember the time in which transformation gained traction in our beloved country and celebrate the man who made a meaningful contribution.”
The Inter-Ministerial committee also confirmed that the 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture will be delivered by former American President Barack Obama.
The Media Review Network (MRN) and CAGE South Africa recently called on the Nelson Mandela Foundation not to give Obama a platform to lecture about Madiba.
Radebe announced that the inspirational amputee Comrade Marathon runner Xolani Luvuno will participate together with 100 other runners in the 100 km marathon that will take place at Madiba’s birth place in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape.
“One hundred athletes including the inspirational amputee Xolani Luvuno who ran the Comrades in June will be part of the 100 runners who will run 100km to celebrate 100 years of Nelson Mandela in Mthatha. The run will start at Clarkbury near Ngcobo to Mandela’s birthplace in Mvezo.”
