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Children make Madiba's day
18/07/2003 12:15 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Nelson Mandela's second official function on his 85th birthday was probably the one he will cherish most - being with children.
About 14 disabled youngsters from the Ikwezilokusa home in Vereeniging gathered in a marquee at Mandela's home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Friday to meet their hero.
Supervisor Lillian Dyarvane said they had been singing "happy birthday, Madiba" on the hour-long bus ride to Mandela's home.
Dyarvane said her centre had received R500 000 from the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
The money had been used to teach the staff how to use computers and how to stimulate the minds of their disabled charges.
She said the training had made a huge difference in the children's lives and had greatly increased morale. "Everyone is so happy and proud," she said. "It makes such a difference to the children."
Nakita dos Reis, 11, from the East Rand, said it had always been her dream to meet Mandela.
"I always wanted to see him because he has helped so many people."
Nakita's mother Jill said her daughter, who has leukemia, did not sleep on Thursday night because she was so excited about meeting Mandela. On Friday her dream came true.
Mandela told her another famous leader had been called Nikita Kruschev. "Is that your surname too?" he asked the awe-struck child.
Mandela displayed his love for young people by greeting each one of them. "Are you well?" he asked them.
He told them while in Ireland to attend the Special Olympics recently, he had met someone from Uganda who, having witnessed his father kill his mother, ran into the jungle and was cared for by monkeys.
"You can see why animal lovers don't want us to mistreat animals," said Mandela.
He told the children that despite their disabilities, they were still human beings and that the Special Olympics allowed each of them the opportunity to overcome those disabilities.
A spokesman for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund said the fund, started 10 years ago, had reached 500 000 people and had handed out grants totalling R100m.
- SAPA
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