SOUTH Africans united in their diversity yesterday to celebrate the birthday of late president Nelson Mandela.
- In KZN, the celebrations kicked off at the place where Madiba was captured by Apartheid police in 1962. Led by KZN MEC for co-operative governance Nomusa Dube-Ncube, dignitaries planted 67 trees at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick.
Mandela’s granddaughter, Nkosikazi Nodiyale-Mandela, also laid a wreath at the site and locked 67 padlocks to pay respect to her mkhulu.
- In Soweto, former Robben Island prisoner and ANC stalwart Ahmed Kathrada brought smiles to the kids of Little Rose Centre Creche in Kliptown when he showered them with goodies.
Workers from the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation were joined by staff from Trade Route Mall in Lenasia, south of Joburg yesterday. They distributed blankets, scarves, clothing, books and non-perishable food.
- In Joburg, public protector Thuli Madonsela got her hands dirty when she helped to plant crops as part of her 67 minutes for Mandela Day at Afrika Tikkun – a centre that caters for young children from disadvantaged families.
- In Ekurhuleni, Dali Tambo, the son of the struggle icons Oliver and Adelaide Tambo, laid wreaths at their graves in Wattville. Mama Adelaide shared her birthday with Madiba. Retired Constitutional Court judge Albie Sachs said:“ Their fight was for freedom, votes and dignity.
- In Tembisa, Pie City in collaboration with the Festival Mall in Kempton Park treated almost 200 kids and adults at the Tumelo Home for the Disabled to a big party.
Cookies, juice and cupcakes were all part of the menu as the centre’s 60 disabled kids partied the day away.
The Mall also handed over three new wheelchairs and computers to the home.
- In Alexandra, Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane,with Media24’s advertising team, Power FM and the community of Alex, cleaned up the famous Jukskei River.
- Officials from Emfuleni Municipality in the Vaal visited several homes for the aged.
They cooked, cleaned and helped with gardening duties at Vukuzenzele Old Age Home, and donated groceries and committed to build toilets at Phuthaditjhaba Home for the Aged in Kanana, Sebokeng.
- In Orange Farm, workers from subscription TV network StarSat brought hope in the form of groceries, a TV and a lifetime subscription to the station for Vuyiswa Home for the Disabled inmates.
- Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa joined residents of Sunway RDP in Hartebees, North West to pick up rubbish in the kasi.
- In Joburg, mayor Parks Tau was joined by Gauteng agriculture MEC Lebogang Maile and other politicians who cleaned up several parts of the city, including taxi ranks.
- In North West, Skeem Saam actor John Morapama spent Mandela Day with children living with disabilities.
- At Sunrise Park, North West, a group of ordinary women belonging to the Community Work Programme donated groceries and clothes to the Mbambezeli family in Congo squatter camp.
