Picture: Taung District Hospital
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Chivas Crew Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), which consists of a group of youth from Chiefscourt village, near Taung, set to visit the Taung District Hospital on 18 July 2023 to celebrate 67 minutes of International Mandela Day. Chivas Crew coordinator, Bontle Keokame said, they will provide soup to more than 60 patients on that day.
“We will be providing soup cups to outpatients. As the organisation, we have noticed that patients come very early in the morning. Most of them come from far away and might have not eaten anything when they arrive.
“So, we see it fit to atleast put something together to help them to keep warm. The main objective of this initiative is to assist and give back to our community during times of need. The group was established in September 2020 and we have 30 good-standing members,” Keokame said.
She further said they are looking forward to seeing more young people with the same vision joining them.
Meanwhile, the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa will unveil two statues of Madiba in Mthatha, Eastern Cape on 18 July 2023, as part of the International Nelson Mandela Month celebrations. The programme spearheaded by the Nelson Mandela Museum is in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture; OR Tambo District Municipality and King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality.
According to the statement, the statues will be unveiled at the Nelson Mandela Museum, Bhunga Building in Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Museum Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu.
Ramphosa spokesperson, Mr Vincent Magwenya said, the two statues of Nelson Mandela will resemble Nelson Mandela as a Statesman and the other as a traditionalist. Magwenya further said, on the same day, the museum and department will hand over a library at Zingisa Comprehensive High School as part of “Making a Difference” in the community.
“This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day will be commemorated under the theme: “It is in Your Hands”. The planned International Mandela Day activities will kick start with an International Mandela Day public lecture at the Nelson Mandela Museum Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu on 17 July 2023, where Minister Zizi Kodwa will be in attendance.
“The government has called on citizens to contribute to turning the tide against food insecurity and climate change in honour of Madiba’s legacy. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), in a statement on Tuesday, described former President Nelson Mandela as a leader who abhorred injustice. He is known mainly for the personal sacrifices that he and fellow freedom fighters made towards achieving democracy in South Africa,” he said.
Magwenya added: “Even outside of prison, Mandela continued the fight against injustice, especially poverty, through various means, including mobilising local and international friends to support fundraising efforts for food insecurity and education, among others.
“Mandela viewed anti-poverty efforts as the protection of human rights. He once said, ‘Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life’. As such, South Africans will do well to honour him by emulating these ideals not only during Mandela Month but make them part of their daily lives.”
He said during this month, the government will host several events led by Ministers, Premiers, Deputy Ministers, Directors-General and public servants in all provinces. Magwenya said these events include the planting of trees and the donation of blankets, clothes and food.
The programmes will also support communities by starting food gardens.
TaungDailyNews 