Johannesburg - Nelson Mandela’s great grandson, Luvuyo Mandela, says the family is humbled by the messages of support they have been receiving since his grandfather was admitted to a Pretoria hospital, for treatment of a lung infection.
“We are humbled by the message of support and we appreciate the time you spend thinking about him (Mandela) and his health. As a family, we say thank you very much for sending him your blessings,” he told SAnews after the launch of the 2013 International Nelson Mandela Day in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Luvuyo is the grandson of Thembekile, Nelson Mandela's son from his first marriage to Evelyn Mase. Thembekile was killed in a car accident in 1969.
Regarding Mandela Day, the 27-year-old Luvuyo said: “As people we must keep doing the good. On the Day we come together as a community of people, we take care of each other, so I urge people to help those who do not have the capacity to do it for themselves, it is worth doing it”.
International Relations and Cooperation Departmental spokesperson Clayson Monyela said they will be sending struggle hero and one of the Rivonia Trialists, Andrew Mlangeni, to the United Nation’s (UN) General Assembly session aimed at commemorating Mandela Day.
“Government we are honoured and privileged to partner with the Nelson Mandela Foundation for this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day.
“As you know, the UN convenes a General Assembly session every year to commemorate the Mandela International Day, so this year, as the South African government, we are sending Tata Andrew Mlangeni to go and speak on this day [about the life of Madiba]. Mlangeni is one of the surviving Rivonia Trialists, he knows Mandela as they have served prison terms in Robben Island together,” he said.
Monyela also urged South Africans and the people of the world to continue to make everyday a Mandela Day by doing good things that can make a difference in their respective communities.
CEO of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory Sello Hatang said: “There is no greater respect and honour than making sure that we care for our communities and we should continue to do that as a country.
“If the international community can participate and make a difference on Mandela Day, we should take the lead as South Africans.”
Mandela Day is the birthday of former President Nelson Mandela who was born on July 18, 1918, in the former Transkei homeland. Last year, it was launched at Hector Pietersen Museum in Soweto.
In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared Mandela's birthday, 18 July, as the annual Nelson Mandela Day.
On Mandela Day and the entire month of July, South Africans and people all over the world are encouraged to dedicate at least 67 minutes of their time to do community work in celebration of the values and principles that Mandela fought and stood for.
The 67 minutes symbolizes Madiba's years of selfless service to the people of South Africa and the world in the course of his extraordinary life.
Mandela spent 67 years of his life working to build a better life for all. It will also mark Madiba’s 95th birthday. - SAnews.gov.za
