Music, dancing and good times will be had
in Newtown on
Mandela Day, along with the more serious business of devoting time to humanity.
EXCITEMENT is mounting as Mandela Day
approaches, and preparations are in full swing throughout Joburg to celebrate
Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday.
Houghton Primary School learners plant a tree at The Wilds
Mandela Day is being celebrated by
encouraging people to take 67 minutes of their day to do something for the good
of humanity and the planet, in recognition of the 67 years Mandela devoted to
making the world a better place.
The efforts, on Saturday, 18 July, are
spearheaded by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the 46664 Campaign. This year,
the day will be widely celebrated across the world.
Party time
In Joburg, the big party is taking place at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown,
with a host of events ranging from music and dance to spoken word.
Under the theme Working together for the
common good of our nation, the celebrations start at 9am.
Artists performing include Taliphani, TK
Dancers, Sechaba, Winnie Khumalo, RJ Benjamin, Chommie, Arthur, Nhlanhla Nciza,
Solly Moholo, Kwela Tebza, Jonas Gwangwa, DJ Sbu, Stoan Seate, Florence Masebe,
Meshack Mavuso, DJ Fistas, DJ Pepsi, DJ Mahoota, Deborah Fraser, DJ Siyanda,
Thembi Seete, Professor and Tizozo and Wanda Baloi, and Nigeria's Kunle
Ayo.
The concert is free and will end at 5pm. After
that DJs will be performing at various venues late into the night.
Jonas Gwangwa is performing in Newtown
People are encouraged to bring picnic
baskets, but no alcohol or bottles or dangerous objects will be allowed on the
square. Vendors will also be selling food. Organisers say there will be a
strong security presence.
For the greater good
A number of activities have also been planned by the City of Johannesburg.
The newly appointed chief Whip, Nonceba
Molwele, has urged all ward councillors to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to
community work in their respective wards.
Other City activities include the planting
of 67 trees in different townships, with the last being planted in Thokoza Park,
Soweto. City
Parks planted 90 trees in the park for Madiba's birthday last year, making this
tree the 91st.
Elderly
In addition, the City will honour older
residents at an event in Brixton. "It will provide the elderly with an
opportunity to celebrate the life of an icon through fun and laughter. The
elderly will also get an opportunity to remember the past in the company of
their peers," according to a City press release.
The department of transportation will also be interacting with all road users
on Nelson Mandela
Bridge, crossing from Braamfontein to Newtown, creating an
awareness of the City's transport values.
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Transport values
Ubuntu is the key to everyone being stress-free when moving around the City.
- Be accountable for your own actions;
- Co-operate with other road users;
- Be honest in all you do;
- Respect others; and
- Acknowledge others.
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In addition, Pedestrian Angel - the City's
transport mascot - will be stopping pedestrians and giving them road safety
tips.
"The City is extremely excited to be able
to pay tribute to the revered former president, Nelson Mandela on his 91st
birthday," City's spokesperson, Virgil James said.
The City's water supply and sanitation company has also pledged to do something for Mandela Day. According to the manager of marketing and communications, Baldwin Matselmela, "Johannesburg Water will be unblocking sewer lines, fixing leaking pipes and taps in Alexandra." The team clean 7th and 13th avenues.
In his inaugural state of the nation
address earlier this year, President Jacob Zuma spoke in favour of this event. "Let
us wholeheartedly support Mandela Day and encourage the world to join us in
this wonderful campaign."
Madiba, born on 18 July 1918 in Transkei, served 27 years in prison, with most
of this time spent on Robben Island in Cape
Town. He dedicated 67 years of his life to making the
world a better place.
"We are humbled by the call for an annual
Mandela Day in our honour. Our struggle for freedom and justice was a
collective effort. Mandela Day is not different," said Mandela. "It is in your
hands to create a better world for all who live in it. Mandela Day will not be
a holiday but a day devoted to service.
"It is our hope that people will dedicate
their time and effort to improve the conditions within their own communities.
We thank you for participating in Mandela Day."
The national celebrations in South Africa for Mandela Day will begin at 9am
at Mary Fitzgerald Square
in Newtown,
Joburg. The City has also planned other celebrations.
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