Qunu – They sang together in one big voice “Nkosi sikelel’utata wethu” (God bless our father and may he live for many years to come).
Hundreds of people braved the cold winter weather and gathered at Nelson Mandela’s home village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape to wish the former President a happy 95th birthday on Thursday. The celebrations got underway with the singing of the national anthem at Qunu Junior Secondary School and were followed by birthday wishes. A South African flag was hoisted at the school as part of celebrations.
Later in the day, the revellers all gathered at the Nelson Mandela Museum for a day of celebration. Jubilant villagers exchanged gifts, young children were given books to read, the elderly were given food parcels, houses were renovated and needy homes were assisted. It was all done in the name of the man who many regard as South Africa’s saviour.
It was a special day for Qunu residents who joined millions of South Africans and the world in the call to use 67 minutes of their time to help improve the lives of others. Qunu has been added to the map in South Africa because of its association with Mandela, a global icon. Madiba spent his childhood there. All 18 communities that fall under the village have been affected positively by the recent attention and locals are proud to have him as the reason for the growth in the area and the ever growing tourism interest.
The usually sleepy village was a hive of activity, each dweller determined to join hands with people of the world in celebrating the sacrifices made by The Nobel Peace laureate in his quest for equality, peace, justice and freedom for all. As the ailing former statesman, spends yet another day in hospital, those who came to celebrate his birthday at his home village still believe he will be healed and will walk out of the heart hospital in Pretoria.
“I believe Tata is hearing us. I believe with the grace of God he will be healed soon; he is celebrating with us; he is smiling at us,” shouted an elderly man, who walked more than 15 kilometres from the nearby Mqhekezweni village to be with the staff of the Nelson Mandela Museum, government officials and hundreds of school children who abandoned their desks to celebrate the icon’s life.
The Museum, situated at the heart of Qunu, in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture responded to the call for all to dedicate at least 67 minutes to community work through a number of activities aimed at making a difference to the lives of the needy and vulnerable.
Senior government officials, including Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Joe Phaahla, Eastern Cape, Social Development MEC, Xoliswa Tom, renowned Poet Lebo Mashile and actor Mashack Mavuso dirtied their hands planting trees and vegetables at Qunu Junior Secondary School.
“Qunu is a very important part of our country when we speak about the life of our former president…we know that he spent part of his early life in this village so when we celebrate him, Qunu becomes a major part of our focal areas,” said Phaahla.
Phaahla said Mandela’s birthday was not just about celebrating Madiba’s life but his legacy as a statesman and a father.
“It helps us to reflect on where we are as a country and what his legacy will do for many generations to come,” he said.
The museum council chairperson Pumla Madiba said they envisage Mandela Month as a way of “reviving a principle of Ubuntu” by engaging in a number programmes that would result to positive changes in the community”.
“It is about returning to the spirit of Ubuntu that says, I am because you are,” she said.
Ever since Mandela’s release from prison, the museum has been celebrating his birthday with the people of Qunu with the aim of using the occasion to create opportunities for that community.
Education was the main theme in the Qunu celebrations on Thursday with hundreds of books handed over to learners from different schools. Books about Mandela’s life and his teachings were handed over to 67 learners, drawn out from various schools. Hundreds of books were also donated to nine libraries in the area. The books will provide the much needed assistance to the libraries which are said to be struggling with reading material.
Said Phaahla: “As we all know, throughout his life, (former) President Mandela cherished the value of education. Before he became president and during his life as a leader of the liberation; he really emphasised that education should be valued and is the one thing that can change the quality of life for our people”. – SAnews.gov.za
