Govt to celebrate Mandela Day
2009-07-16 19:01
Johannesburg - Government leaders will celebrate Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday on Saturday by doing community work, the ANC's chief whip said on Thursday.
"This best day of our icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, has provided us with an annual platform to cultivate ubuntu/botho values, principles, work ethics and the spirit of volunteerism necessary for the creation of cohesive, caring and sustainable communities," said ANC chief whip Mathole Motshekga.
He said millions of South Africans were expected to join the international community by engaging in 67-minute activities in their communities, "signifying the 67 years that our legendary icon spent serving humanity".
What to do
"Members of Parliament from all political parties have undertaken to work with government departments, at provincial and municipal level, to engage in community work within their constituencies," said Motshekga.
This includes painting or refurbishing schools, clinics or hospitals, providing clothes to children, starting food gardens at schools, visiting hospital patients, collecting books and magazines for libraries and helping with school feeding schemes.
President Jacob Zuma will spend his 67 minutes with elderly people in Ivory Park, Johannesburg.
Several ministers will do community work in different provinces, including the planting of vegetable gardens, the fixing of water pipes and the refurbishing of police stations.
The ANC Women's League will take part in programmes at old age homes while the ANC Commission on Religious Affairs will co-ordinate 67 minutes of prayer services at correctional services centres, orphanages and victim rehabilitation centres.
Time to party
Meanwhile, a party hosted by the arts ministry will be held at Newton on Johannesburg where several artists will perform.
"A total of 15 000 people in and around Gauteng are expected to attend this celebration. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will deliver the keynote address.
"The programme for the day will begin with community work in various areas in Gauteng, after which people will descend on the Square by midday. After a brief formal programme, there will be cultural activities and entertainment to celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday," said Motshekga.
- SAPA