Giyani – Limpopo MEC for Housing and Local Government, Soviet Lekganyane, described the man of the day, former President Nelson Mandela as a source of inspiration to humanity.
The iconic world leader, Madiba, who was born on 18 July 1918 in the former Transkei homeland, turns 93 today.
Lekganyane began Mandela Day celebrations by getting his hands dirty by finishing incomplete houses for residents at Homu village.
“We wish him many more days to live long so that he could see the good things which the government he loves so much is doing for its people, so that he could see that his efforts were not in vain.
“He is a source of inspiration to humanity, his good values and principles that he fought and stood for, would always remind us to do more for those of us who are less fortunate,” he said.
The MEC officially handed over houses to Gabela Mphephu Mathebula, Piet Mkhatsane Shivambo, and the Mlanga and Lestinah Mbombi family.
Speaking to BuaNews, Mbombi who has been staying in a small dilapidated one-roomed house with her five children and unemployed husband, could not contain her joy.
“I will never forget this day in my lifetime. I never thought that I will ever get a decent house like this one. When it rains, we used to wake up and stand against the wall.”
Earlier in the day, Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale and Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile donated 10 computers and books about Nelson Mandela’s role in the liberation struggle to Mavalani High School.
Acting school principal Magezi Baloyi said: “We appreciate the donation from the leadership; it is a motivation for us as teachers and the learners.
“We believe that the books will help the kids to understand why as a nation we are celebrating Mandela’s birthday.”
Mandela Day is an annual international day adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2009. It is more than a celebration of Mandela’s life and legacy; it is a global movement to take his life’s work into a new century and change the world for the better.
Mandela Day asks people across the world to embrace Madiba’s values and honour his legacy through an act of kindness.
Mandela Day includes a series of events involving interactive art, entertainment, music, film, educational outreach and community service activities, with the hope of inspiring people around the globe to embrace their individual power to make an imprint and help change the world around them for the better.
This year, the main Mandela Day is celebrated at Giyani stadium in Limpopo. Giyani’s economy is predominately rural, mealies, peanuts, tomatoes, potatoes, mangos, bananas and cattle ranching form the backbone of the economy.
With the country’s economic boom, Giyani has now become a retail and entertainment centre for the local population. Modern shopping centres and a mini-mall have uplifted the local economy. – Nthambeleni Gabara, BuaNews
