It feels like yesterday that the sad news of his passing was made plubic and Nelson Mandela Tributes started showing up from all over the world.
In the mean time social development minister Bathabile Dlamini has called on all sectors of society to use the day Nelson Mandela died as an opportunity to keep his memory alive and to promote social cohesion. Dlamini said in a statement: “We will use the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s passing to make a call to all South Africans and the world to keep his memory alive by living his values and continuing with efforts aimed at ensuring that all humanity lives in a society where peace, tolerance, the rule of law, justice and human rights form the cornerstone of our daily lives.”
The South African government would hold an official commemoration event at Freedom Park in Pretoria. On the day, government will collaborate with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which will be preceded and followed by a series of other events on different dates.
The Minister also announced that the Nelson Mandela Foundation would during the anniversary launch a “buy-a-book” campaign aimed at urging members of the public to buy and donate books to their local library, especially if they live in disadvantaged areas. She said the buy-a-book campaign was significant and all organisations and private individuals should partake in it to honour Madiba’s memory.
“Building on the buy-a-book campaign, the Department of Social Development requests South Africans to buy and donate books to their local early childhood development centres, in line with Mandela’s vision for the nurturing and development of children,” she said.
Some of the events that the foundation will hold include:
- The launch of the “In tribute to Nelson Mandela” Exhibition at the Nelson Mandela Foundation offices in Johannesburg on 3 December at 1730;
- The foundation’s Centre of Memory will host open days between 5 and 15 December on weekdays from 0900-1600, including on weekends;
- The Mandela Legacy Cup at the Wanderer’s Stadium on December 5 from 1500, where the Springboks will play a cricket match against the Proteas. Johnny Clegg, Prime Circle and the Soweto Gospel Choir will also perform on the day;
- A writers, poets, artists and musicians tribute to Madiba on 6 December;
- A Big Roar for Madiba on 7 December, where bikers will do a breakfast run on a route to be announced;
- A Remembrance Walk in honour of Madiba on 13 December; and
- The inaugural Tshwane City Marathon “The Last Mile” in honour of Madiba will be hosted at the Union Buildings on 14 December.
