Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will on Saturday, 18 July, officially open a newly upgraded state-of-the-art school and participate in community development project activities in Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, in honour of Mandela Day.
The Makgatho Lewanika Primary School, which was formed as a result of a merger between Nkwenkwezi Primary School and Mvezo Primary School, currently has an enrolment of 600 learners.
As part of his 67 minutes contribution to the community, President Zuma will also participate in the program of reinforcing the existing parameter fence by securing an extra mesh wire around the school in order to prevent the livestock from grazing inside the premises of the school.
The President will further participate in a cleaning campaign and also in the planting of 67 Umkhanyakude trees, and later address leaners and the community of Mvezo which is the birthplace of the late founding father of the democratic South Africa and the world icon, former President Nelson Mandela.
President Zuma has called on all South Africans, young and old, to patriotically contribute 67 minutes of their time by participating in various community development projects in honour of Madiba.
"President Mandela was a selfless, caring and loving leader therefore as we celebrate Mandela Day let us perpetually emulate his character and humanity by promoting his progressive ideals to take South Africa forward.
"We call on every South African to contribute 67 minutes of your time in uplifting the lives of those who are less fortunate and continue to work together peacefully to build a non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa,” the President said.
Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day) is an annual international day in honour of the late President Mandela which encourages all global citizens to take responsibility in improving each other's lives and addressing the world's social injustices
This significant day, which was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, is celebrated each year on 18 July which is the birthday of the South African struggle stalwart.
The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010.
The day is more than a celebration of Madiba's life and legacy but a global movement to honour his life's work and act to change the world for the better.
President Zuma will be accompanied by Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga. – SAnews.gov.za
