Pretoria – Cabinet has called on South Africans to make former President Nelson Mandela proud.
Madiba is being treated for a recurring lung infection at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria since 8 June.
“Cabinet joins the nation and the international community in praying for the father of the nation, former President Nelson Mandela. At this difficult time, let us all show love and compassion and make Madiba proud,” said Cabinet in a statement on Tuesday.
South Africans are marking July as Mandela Month under the theme “Take action, inspire change, make every day a Mandela Day” with a focus on food security, shelter and literacy. Madiba's birthday is on 18 July and citizens are urged to volunteer 67 minutes of their time on Nelson Mandela Day to help change their communities and South Africa for the better.
As part of the Nelson Mandela Month events, the Nkosi Dalibhubga Mandela Legacy Bridge has been completed and will be handed over the Mvezo community on Madiba’s birthday.
Madiba will be turning 95 on that day.
The Department of Home Affairs will this month also launch the Smart ID card and thereafter start with the roll-out of the IDs.
According to the department, the launch is a significant break with the past and the end of the passbook era in South Africa.
The Smart ID is a contactless card with a capability to accommodate information from various stakeholders now and in future.
Cabinet has also welcomed the launch of the Department of Basic Education campaign called 94+ Projects for Madiba to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s birthday and legacy.
The campaign aims to improve infrastructure in over 94 schools to become state-of-the-art institutions of quality learning.
The campaign gives hope and dignity to schools across the country. During Mandela Month, the department will be leading the handover of completed new schools per week as part of commitment to improve quality basic education.– SAnews.gov.za
