Wanted: People to sing to Mandela

2012-04-10 23:03

Johannesburg - A planned attempt to break a world record, with over 20 million people singing "happy birthday" to former president Nelson Mandela, was announced on Tuesday.

"This year we hope to break the Guinness Book of World Records with more than 20 million South Africans singing," Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and Lead SA said in a statement.

"We want to encourage the nation to join in."

Last year the department and the civic participation group arranged for millions of schoolchildren to sing to Mandela at 08:00 on his birthday.

Lead SA spokesperson Yusuf Abramjee said he was confident that the public would show their love and affection for Mandela by participating in singing to him on his 94th birthday on Wednesday 18 July.

"In addition to the millions of schoolchildren, we want people in offices, in factories and those out on the streets to join in..."

The SHOUT Foundation, a movement aimed at reducing crime, committed 94 singers to record the song for distribution in the run-up to Mandela's birthday.

- SAPA