South Africa will come alive with activities in celebration of Nelson Mandela’s centenary tomorrow by spreading some Madiba Magic by helping charities, disadvantaged schools and advocating for peace and reconciliation.
The Nelson Mandela centenary celebrations take place countrywide under the theme “Be the Legacy”, a call that induces all of humanity to accelerate impactful change that fights the inequalities and improves the lives of the people.
On 18 July, former President Nelson Mandela, who died on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95, would have turned 100 years had he lived.
To mark the day, citizens across the globe are to donate 67 minutes of their time performing good deeds for those in need.
President Cyril Ramaphosa
For his contribution to the National Day of Service, President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit Mvezo in the Eastern Cape.
Deputy President Mabuza
Deputy President David Mabuza will led a government service delivery programme in the Mkhondo Local Municipality in the Mpumalanga.
Deputy President Mabuza will lend a hand during the centenary celebrations by visiting the Nganana High School where activities of the day will include an address of the school assembly, as well as handing over of school uniforms, sanitary towels, sports attire and equipment to the learners and the planting of seedlings.
The Deputy President Mabuza will have an engagement with the older persons, as well as officiate at the handover ceremony of newly built houses for families that had no decent shelter.
Later, the Deputy President will proceed to the community where he will oversee the launch of the mobile App, Satise Silalele App, which is meant to strengthen service delivery and deepen public participation.
Tata’s widow, Graça Machel will take part in a walk to Constitutional Hill in Tshwane. She will be alongside members of The Elders, a group of leaders working together for peace and human rights which was founded by Tata.
Various other organisations and departments also have planned activities aimed at eradicating poverty and racism, while building a better country.
GCIS
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) will host the MaSisulu Women Dialogue session at Difa Nkosi Hall in Leandra as a build up to Mandela Day.
The event targets woman who are community workers, civil society group woman leaders, youth woman leaders and government officials seeks to educate women about the values as part of celebrating the centenary of Albertina Sisulu.
On Mandela Day, GCIS will also host an Open Day Exhibition at the Tholulwazi Thusong Centre in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality.
The Thusong Service Center programme is aimed at redressing the imbalances of the past by taking government services and information closer to where people live and bring empowerment to those previously marginalised from the mainstream of socio-economic development.
The Open Day Exhibition will bring together all critical stakeholders of the Thusong Service Centre Programme from various sectors including government, civil society and private sector to showcase economic opportunities and render social services to community members.
Police Ministry
Police Minister Bheki Cele, together with SAPS top management, will conduct unannounced visits to 100 police stations as part of his contribution.
According to SAPS, the senior management will be visiting 100 police stations unannounced in one day, to check on compliance and whether a code of ethics is being adhered to by members at station level, as well as keeping to the code of conduct and the Batho Pele principles. This will translate to a total of 10 police stations in each province.
Unannounced police station visits are inspired by the values of the global icon, Madiba.
Minister of Police and National Commissioner will be in Gauteng and North West province respectively, embarking on a service delivery exercise of visiting police stations.
Unannounced police station visits will continue throughout the year, as one of the legacy commemoration events ensuring effective and efficient service to the public.
The obligation is reinforced by the Batho Pele principles, which emphasizes access to public institutions and improved service.
Energy Minister Jeff Radebe
Energy Minister Jeff Radebe will officially hand over the Reneuwe Day Care Centre in one of the disadvantaged communities in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality. The day care centre will provide improved, better and safer learning environment for the children.
Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi
Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi will be at Mamelodi Secondary School, in Pretoria.
The Minister will as part of the department’s commitment to contribute towards social upliftment, roll-up his sleeves and lead the department in a variety of activities such as painting and cleaning activities at the school as it was identified as one of the disadvantaged schools in the area.
The department will also donate computers to the school as part of its investment in learners’ education.
Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana
Telecommunications and Postal Services Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Communications Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana will be at the BK Matlala Commercial High School, Matlala-a-Thaba area, in Limpopo.
The Deputy Ministers will officially open the newly-built administration block and Cyberlab.
Kimmotive, PGC, Safer SA, Vodacom
Further, NGO – Kimmotive will hand over 250 packs of sanitary pads and toiletries to learners from indigent households.
The outreach is a joint programme in partnership with POPCRU Group of Companies (PGC), Safer SA, Kimmotive and Vodacom.
In 2011, BK Matlala School’s administration block was burned down, destroying the staff room and typing area.
Through its corporate social responsibility programme, PGC responded and rebuilt the burnt-down building, which includes a library and computer room. In-line with its Universal Services and Access Obligation, Vodacom also installed a Cyberlab at the school.
Thembekile Mandela Foundation, NSG
The Thembekile Mandela Foundation (TMF) in partnership with the National School of Government (NSG) will be launching the “Leading Like Mandela” Leadership Programme.
The programme established by Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s eldest grandchild, Ndileka Mandela, offers leadership development to the public sector, corporate and civil society organisations.
It is aimed at continuing the legacy of Mandela and to build transformational leadership amongst African and global leaders for the realisation of the vision of the National Development Plan, AU Agenda 2063 and UN Vision 2030.
Various other government departments and institutions have planned activities for the day - which is also known as National Day of Service - to go out in their numbers to follow in Tata’s footsteps to make a difference by donating time towards humanitarian efforts and disadvantaged communities to inspire a positive change that promotes the culture of ubuntu. - SAnews.gov.za
