Mandela's 90th: News24 launches education resource

2008-07-01 10:56

Cape Town - In advance of worldwide celebrations of Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday on July 18, News24.com has launched a comprehensive educational resource about the South African icon.

In addition, South Africa's leading news portal has invited all citizens to email their own written and video tributes to Madiba. (The best contribution will receive R1 000 in cash.)

Intended to educate South Africans about the life and impact of Nelson Mandela on the emergence of the country as a fully democratic nation, the Mandela Media Centre includes a multimedia rich environment with an interactive show-and-tell slideshow, a comprehensive timeline of his life, several of his most famous speeches and other features to learn about the man who has become a symbol of freedom, reconciliation and the struggle for equality around the world.

"For this milestone we want to pay homage to South Africa's most respected citizen and a legendary leader in our country's rich history," said Jannie Momberg, editor of News24.com. "As South Africa's number one source for digital news we also want to give South Africans a chance to engage with a range of Web-based content and contribute their own tributes."

The site includes over a dozen three to four-minute video interviews featuring well-known South Africans including Helen Suzman, George Bizos, Johnny Clegg, Ahmed Kathrada, Zelda La Grange, Zackie Achmat, Raymond Ackerman, Francois Pienaar, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and Penny Heyns.

One of the exclusive interviews is with Zwelivelile (Mandla) Mandela, Nelson Mandela's grandson, who still lives in the Transkei, where Madiba was born.

Another feature is a set of audio slideshows that tell Mandela's life story through the use of still images and sound. The topics covered include "Trial and detention", "The negotiating years 1990-1994", "Mandela as president 1994-1999" and "The retirement years".

Tribute videos should first be uploaded at play.24.com and the unique URL then mailed to [e-mail]. Written tributes to Mandela can be emailed directly to [e-mail].

To learn more and to participate in various online tributes to Madiba, visit News24.com, MyNews24 or http://specialreports.news24.com/Mandela

- News24