Pretoria - The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital initiative is a symbol of who former President Nelson Mandela is and his love for children, says his wife Graca Machel.
Machel left her husband’s bedside briefly at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria to speak at the launch of Mandela Sport and Culture Day at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg on Thursday.
“The initiative which is being launched today symbolises in many ways exactly who Madiba is and his love for children…”
Many people and organisations made pledges to the construction of the hospital.
Machel said Madiba also gave South Africans the gift of reconciliation and unity.
“The best gift which he has given this nation is the gift of unity. In the beginning he offered South Africa the gift of reconciliation, where he brought people of different races together to rally behind the South Africa which belongs to all, the South Africa which will provide a better life for every single human being.”
She said her husband’s admission to the hospital offered South Africans an opportunity to unite.
“While he lies in hospital, he offers an opportunity for all of us again, from deep in our hearts to be united. We saw young and old, rich and poor, black and white, people from all walks of life, every single South African united and I think that is the gift.”
Machel used the platform to also extend the Mandela family’s gratitude to the world for the continued messages of support.
“I want to say again, thank you. The outpouring and humbling demonstrations of love, care, support and hope are taken into our hearts every single day.”
She appealed to the nation to keep Madiba’s dream alive by supporting the initiative to build the hospital.
According to Machel, apart from treating children, the hospital will also train young professionals who will not only serve South Africa, but the entire Southern African Development Community SADC region.
The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital honours Mandela’s life-long commitment to children. In his words, this hospital will be a “credible demonstration of the commitment of African leaders to place the rights of children at the forefront”.
Mandela Sport and Culture Day
The inaugural Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day, aimed at paying tribute to Madiba’s legacy, will be held at the FNB Stadium, outside Johannesburg on Saturday, 17 August.
On the day, South Africans will be entertained by a double header match of two different sporting codes, football and rugby.
Bafana Bafana will play an international friendly match against Burkina Faso at 1:30 pm and it will be followed by the Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Argentina at 5pm.
Tickets for Mandela Sport and Culture Day, which will also include a music concert, are priced from R220 to R550 and will be available from Computicket outlets from Monday, 8 July.
The proceeds will go to the building of the hospital.
Springbok winger Bryan Habana has donated R50 000, while the chairman of the South African Premier Soccer League, Dr Irvin Khoza, has pledged to buy 5 000 tickets.
On Friday, August 16, there will be a gala dinner at a venue yet to be announced also to raise funds for the Mandela Children’s Hospital.
The former President has been in hospital from 8 June receiving medical treatment for a recurring lung infection.
Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund CEO Sibongile Mkhabela said individuals who want to donate a gift to the children of Southern Africa can send a text message with the word “gift” to 40301, which costs R20. - SAnews.gov.za
