In honor of the Father of the Nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow deliver the keynote address at the national commemoration of the United Nations-endorsed Nelson Mandela International Day in the Eastern Cape.
The President will also preside over the unveiling of two statues at the Nelson Mandela Museum, Bhunga Building in Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Museum Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu.
“A statue honouring the Father of the Nation will be unveiled at the Bhunga Building in Mthatha before the President delivers the keynote address and presides over a second unveiling at the Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu, Eastern Cape.
“The two monuments serve as a tribute to Nelson Mandela's enduring impact on South Africa and the world, and commemorate the 67 years he dedicated to the fight against apartheid and racism,” the Presidency said in a statement.
Since the United Nations’ proclamation of Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009, the Nelson Mandela Museum has observed the global Nelson Mandela International Day as a strategic opportunity to promote President Mandela's values and foster his legacy.
The museum aims to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need, and this day serves as a powerful platform to achieve that objective.
Meanwhile, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, accompanied by the Charlotte Mannya Maxeke Institute, will lead the Nelson Mandela International Day activities taking place in Soweto.
This year’s Mandela Day will be observed under the theme ‘Climate, Food and Solidarity’ - urging all to action in response to the impact of climate change, addressing the challenges of poverty and inequality.
In this regard, the Deputy President and delegation will take part in planting 12 additional vegetable beds at the Morris Isaacson High School in Jabavu, Soweto, with the aim of encouraging the learners to start and maintain vegetable gardens at their schools and homes.
This is also part of the food security initiatives aimed at contributing to the overall National School Nutrition Program.
While in Soweto, Deputy President Mashatile together with representatives of the National Youth Development Agency, Clinic Health Group and the Gauteng Provincial Government will hand over gifts to learners at both the Morris Isaacson and Matseke High Schools.
The Deputy President will then visit and hand over gifts to the elderly at the Soweto Home for the Aged which accommodates needy and destitute elderly people with full boarding and lodging facilities, frail care and other services.
As part of honoring and paying homage to freedom fighters, the Deputy President will be laying wreaths at Tsietsi Mashinini’s statue in Jabavu, the Nelson Mandela House in Vilakazi Street, as well as the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum in Orlando West.
The Deputy President will be supported by Gauteng Premier Mr Panyaza Lesufi, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Parks Tau, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale Tlabela, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Morakane Mosupyoe, Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane, Gauteng MEC for Social Development Mbali Hlophe and senior government officials.
Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of the late liberation struggle veteran and international icon, President Nelson Mandela.
This important day also serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to take time to reflect on Tata’s values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities. – SAnews.gov.za
