Madiba centenary programme launched
JOBURG – Mandela's foundation unveils a logo that will symbolise Nelson Mandela's centenary activities.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation has unveiled a two-year centenary programme that will honour the late former president, Nelson Mandela.
The liberation hero, who died in 2013, would have been turning 100 next year, had he been still alive.
At the launch, held at the YMCA, the foundation unveiled a logo that will symbolise Nelson Mandela’s centenary activities. Trustee Tokyo Sexwale also paid tribute to former ANC president Oliver Tambo, whose centenary takes place this year. “There is no Nelson Mandela without Oliver Tambo,” exclaimed Sexwale to thunderous applause from the audience.
The centenary programme launch takes place during the Nelson Mandela release week, which started on 11 February. February 13 marks the day when Mandela addressed, for the first time, the masses of Soweto, at the iconic football venue of Orlando Stadium in 1990.
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A number of activities will be rolled out this year, both here and abroad, ranging from education and the arts to exhibitions and sports.
Chief executive of the foundation, Sello Hatang, said he hoped the centenary programme would inspire integrity, passion, respect, service, transformation and transparency.
“These are the values the foundation wants to be the guiding pillars of the South African nation when it celebrates the centenary of these iconic leaders of our history. These are the values that we, as the foundation, live by and would like to transfer them to our daily lives if we are to make a meaningful contribution to society,” he said.
At the event, a Letters To Madiba book project was announced, where primary school children were invited to submit their letters to Nelson Mandela throughout the year. The book will be published next year.
The Soweto Gospel Choir performed songs from their upcoming project at the launch.
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What are you going to do to mark Madiba’s centenary? WhatsApp us with your comments on 079 439 5345.
