Excitement ahead of Mandela Day
2009-07-17 13:55
Johannesburg - "I'm going to spend my 67 minutes reading newspapers to the gogos who live near me," said a police officer speaking above the hubbub of 91st birthday preparations at Nelson Mandela's home in Houghton, Johannesburg on Friday.
As the street began filling up with cars adorned with Mandela Day stickers, and passers-by slowing to a cruise to take in the atmosphere, the policeman said Mandela was in good spirits as visitors arrived to wish him well ahead of Saturday's global celebration.
Security specialists spread plans out on bakkie flaps and police officer and guards dotted the suburban road in preparation for more than the usual convoy of tourist buses making the pilgrimage to his home.
Adults and children traditionally arrive singing and clapping each year to drop off flowers and handmade cards, hoping that Mandela will emerge briefly from his private circle of family and friends to receive personal wishes outside the house.
Meanwhile, around the country, plans were being hatched on what sort of community service to offer for the 67 minutes the Nelson Mandela Foundation has suggested as a way of marking his birthday.
Different ideas
These ranged from spring cleaning neglected schools, to helping carers bath and feed young orphans. President Jacob Zuma opted to spend time with the elderly in Ivory Park while FW de Klerk, the country's last apartheid president, said he would think of ways his two foundations could further their work in helping countries going through a difficult transition and helping handicapped children.
Over 300 health practitioners from KwaZulu-Natal will travel to the Eastern Cape to take health services like x-rays and examinations to the doorsteps of villagers in the Nqanduli area, the province's health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said.
Health workers in Bhisho will donate their time to cleaning up the hospital there, while public works MEC Pemmy Majodina will distribute food parcels in the area.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union in Mpumalanga will spread itself out among orphanages and homes for children managing HIV/Aids, as well as clean cemeteries and schools, while Minerals and Energy Minister Dipuo Peters will help paint six houses in Noupoort in the Northern Cape.
At the same time, birthday messages were pouring in for Mandela, with the National House of Traditional Leaders and the SA Football Players Union adding their wishes.
Messages posted on internet forums included: "Happy birthday Madiba. I travel the world with my neck high like the African Girraffe (sic), proud of being an African and most importantly a South African" posted on The Times website under the moniker "mrsMbeki".
Characteristic of such forums, debates arose on why people should bother with Mandela Day with comments like: "So wheres (sic) the De Klerk and Tutu day?" by "smartdarkie" and "so what? he's not the 1st person to turn 91. anyway happy b-day dude, hope u'll see many more" by "moratwa".
- SAPA
