Madiba inspires South Africans
2009-07-17 10:50
Mia Willemse, Hendrik Cronjé and Verashni Pillay
Pretoria – From well-known personalities to the Springbok rugby team and Madiba's family - South Africans are making special plans to celebrate Mandela Day with the rest of the world on Friday.
Saturday is the 91st birthday of one of the Boks' greatest allies, former president Nelson Mandela, and the Boks have decided to kick off their preparations for the Tri-Nations by gathering at Vodacom Park at 11:45 on Friday to sing to Madiba
"The Bok camp asks that as many supporters as possible come and sing along. The Boks will show their congratulations in this way to Madiba," said Anthony McKaiser, the Boks' media manager.
"A special bond has existed between the Boks and Madiba for many years. And the Boks consider this bond of friendship an enormous privilege," he added.
Family affair
Meanwhile as volunteers and statesman across the world prepared to honour the newly launched commemorative day one of the people closest to the iconic statesman got his good deed done early - so he can spend time with his grandfather on his birthday.
"I had to give up that day for a family lunch we have in Houghton with the old man," said Zwelivelile Mandela, also known as Mandla.
He got his "67 minutes" done ahead of time by taking five HIV+ people in his Eastern Cape village to Johannesburg for treatment, and providing them with medication.
Zwelivelile, 35, has been chief of the Mandelas' tribal home of Mvezo since 2007 and a member of Parliament with the ANC since 2009.
His act is particularly poignant for the family. Mandela' last-surviving son - and Zwelivelile's father - Makgatho died of the disease in 2005.
The family broke the taboo around the disease haunting government at the time and told the world.
For Zwelivelile the new Mandela Day, while never expected, is a far more appropriate way to honour his grandfather's legacy than flashy music concerts.
"When I discussed it with him he even expressed that he wished such a day could be used to honour the ordinary men and women that walked jointly with him on this path - and sacrificed more than he ever did," Zwelivelile told News24.
Bring about real change
The singer and presenter of Kwêla, Pieter Koen, joked that his wife will "order him" to do some work.
"My wife says Mandela took 67 years to give everything to this country and to try to bring about genuine change."
"So, on Saturday I will take 67 minutes to unpack my cupboard and all the clothes that I haven't worn for a long time and even the sentimental items, will be put in a box and taken to Genadeplaas (a haven for the poor) in Pretoria," said Koen.
Singer Amor Vittone said her family have a close friendship with Mandela and are always left in awe regarding the humility and forgiving nature he exudes.
"On Saturday Joost (van der Westhuizen) and I will take our two kids to a children's home in Johannesburg, where we're going to read stories to the children and hand out sweeties. Like Mandela, we want to share love and warmth with the children."
‘He is incredible’
According to Vittone, it was Mandela's warmth and love, like that of a father, which turned the whole country around and brought about change.
Idols presenter Liezel van der Westhuizen is also the spokesperson for the 46664 campaign, and will also be spending her Mandela Day at a children's home.
"I met Mandela when I was in Grade 10 when I served him as a waitress at a function. My manager said I should first go and introduce myself, but once I got to Mandela, he held his hand out to me and introduced himself to me first. He's incredible," Van der Westhuizen said.
Pik Botha, former minister of foreign affairs, said although he didn’t see the full legacy of Mandela in the country today, he and his wife, Ina, would spend Mandela Day giving clothes to those in need.
"Doing good things for others shouldn't just happen on one day, it should be an continuous process. - Beeld, Volksblad