Pretoria - Residents of Mvezo and the surrounding areas in the Eastern Cape will forever remember the 95th birthday of former President Nelson Mandela as a day that changed the landscape of their community.
In celebrating the world icon’s birthday tomorrow, government will officially hand over the Inkosi Dalibhunga Nelson Mandela Legacy Bridge to the communities of Mvezo – Madiba’s birthplace – and 21 surrounding villages.
The 140-metre bridge has been built in honour of Madiba, who is still receiving medical treatment for a recurring lung infection at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria.
The bridge links Mvezo and the neighbouring villages with the N2. This linkage is expected to make travelling comfortable and reduce the distance to East London, Mthatha and Idutywa by at least 50km.
Currently, when the people of Mvezo have to travel to Idutywa, they have to go via Qunu village. This is an 86-km journey and the bridge will shorten the trip.
Over 100 community members have been employed in the R158-million infrastructure development project.
The bridge hand-over celebrations will be led by Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti.
Nkwinti said the bridge would help to integrate communities around Mvezo and Ludondolo, adding that it would also help unlock the economic potential in the area.
In executing the multi-million rand infrastructure project, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform worked with various government departments, including Public Works, Roads and Transport as well as Water Affairs.
To mark their 67 minute activities, Siemens, together with the Department of Basic Education, will on Thursday plant 100 indigenous trees at the Mandela School of Science and Technology in Mvezo.
The financial investment in this project is R100 million.
It is envisaged that a new generation of scientists and engineers will emerge from the school.
The Al-IMDAAD foundation will also contribute to the 67 minutes activities by giving children hats and gloves at the Early Childhood Development Centre in Mvezo.
Nelson Mandela Day is celebrated by millions of South Africans and the international community on Madiba’s birthday on July 18. - SAnews.gov.za
