Nelson Mandela, right, holding the World Cup trophy, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, left, and other members of the South African delegation celebrate after it was announced that South Africa will host the 2010 soccer World Cup. Photo: AP/FIFA via Keystone Nelson Mandela, right, holding the World Cup trophy, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, left, and other members of the South African delegation celebrate after it was announced that South Africa will host the 2010 soccer World Cup. Photo: AP/FIFA via Keystone
In the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “The greatest gift our nation could possibly give uTata Nelson Mandela for his 94th birthday this week would be to emulate his magnanimity and grace.”
On the eve of Madiba’s birthday, he explained: “Mr Mandela taught us to love ourselves, to love one another and to love our country. He laid the table so all South Africans could eat; we must ensure all members of the family are invited.”
Tutu said citizens should spend a few moments on Wednesday thinking about Mandela’s gift to the nation.
His gift had been to place reconciliation and national unity at the top of the agenda. He had also been willing to listen to others, to solicit and acknowledge all points of view, to set an example of forgiveness and tolerance, and to inspire hope and pride in others.
On Wednesday, Mandela Day, the call is to dedicate 67 minutes to a worthy cause, in honour of Mandela fighting for social justice for 67 years.
Transport and Public Works MEC Robin Carlisle said: “Ward councilor Ian Iversen and I, in collaboration with Metrorail and the Newlands Residents’ Association, will dedicate 67 minutes to refurbishing Newlands station. We will paint over graffiti, touching up wherever we can to turn the station into a more professional and more pleasurable facility.”
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille will join the Thunderbolt neighbourhood watch at midnight in Lavender Hill for a 67-minute patrol, said her spokesman Zak Mbhele.
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said: “The executive deputy mayor Alderman Ian Neilson and I will spend 67 minutes conducting a graffiti clean-up operation in Kalksteenfontein as part of the city’s celebrations for Mandela Day, joined by a team of senior city officials.
Cosatu and its affiliates in the Western Cape said they would visit the Fikelela Children’s Centre on Christmas Tinto Street in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha.
Cape Argus