Commemoration of Madiba on the first anniversary of his passing

The South African government, led by the Presidency and supported by the Department of Social Development, and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, have collaborated to commemorate Madiba on the first anniversary of his passing in the year that marks 20 years of democracy.

The aim of the Nelson Mandela Foundation is to contribute to the making of a just society by utilising the legacy of Nelson Mandela as a vital instrument for sharing memory, for growing it, and for engaging it in the pursuit of social cohesion.

The Foundation has planned and partnered on a number of key activities and initiatives between 4 and 15 December as a call to all South Africans, and the world, to keep his legacy alive.

1 December: Launch of the nationwide Mandela Day Leadership for Literacy Book Drive. Members of the public are encouraged to donate books for the Mandela Day library programme via www.bookpeople.co.za/nelson-mandela-drive.

Books may also be dropped off at selected Cotton On stores and the Foundation’s Centre of Memory on 107 Central Street in Houghton.

4 December: Launch of the ‘In Tribute to Nelson Mandela’ exhibition at the Foundation’s Centre of Memory from 5.30pm onwards.

The Foundation has curated a selection of the messages and contributions received from people across the world following Madiba’s passing in a special multimedia exhibition experience titled In Tribute to Nelson Mandela, which will be on display at the Centre of Memory in Houghton from 4 December until the end of February next year.

The gun carriage that carried Madiba’s coffin will also be on display as the SANDF’s poignant military tribute of Madiba.

5 December: The South African government will host commemorative activities in Pretoria. Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, will lead an international call to action for schools, community centres, places of worship and individuals to ring bells and sirens, use instruments, vuvuzelas and loudhailers at 9.56am followed by a period of three-minute silence from 10am in tribute to Madiba at Freedom Park in Pretoria. The South African national anthem will then be sung wherever people are gathering.

The time lapse from the ringing of the bells to the end of the moment of silence is six minutes, seven seconds and is symbolic of the 67 years Madiba spent in the service of humanity.

This will follow the inter-faith prayer service and symbolic wreath-laying led by veterans, including Ahmed Kathrada, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

At 3pm, the Mandela Legacy Cup public tribute event takes place in the Proteas versus Springboks friendly cricket match held at the Bidvest Wanderers stadium with special performances from Johnny Clegg and Prime Circle, and public team signings to honour Madiba.

6 December: Artists in Tribute to Madiba from 9.30am to 12.30pm will take place where poets, writers, performers and musician will be hosted in an open session led by Professor Njabulo Ndebele, chairman of the Nelson Mandela Foundation at the Foundation’s Centre of Memory.

7 December: National Bikers for Madiba (#BigRoarForMadiba) breakfast run. Bikers are encouraged to dedicate their Sunday breakfast runs nationwide to Madiba and support the Mandela Day Leadership for Literacy Book Drive.

12 December: Comedians in Tribute to Madiba from 5pm to 7.30pm, at the Foundation’s Centre of Memory.

13 December: Nelson Mandela Remembrance Walk.

14 December: The inaugural Tshwane City Marathon, with the “last mile” in honour of Madiba.

To close, we are at this time reminded of Madiba’s words: “When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for eternity.”

Twitter hash tags: #LivingtheLegacy, #RememberMadiba

Details: www.nelsonmandela.org