The Nelson Mandela Museum has outlined a year-long programme of activities in honour of Nelson Mandela, as the year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the late statesman’s passing, in December 2013.
The itinerary includes the unveiling of two statues of Madiba on his birthday on Tuesday, July 18, also known as Mandela Day, which will be performed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Nelson Mandela Museum CEO, Vuyani Booi, speaking at a recent media breakfast to outline the organisation’s programmes for Madiba’s birthday and 10th anniversary of his passing to be held at the Nelson Mandela Museum and Youth Centre in Qunu.
Booi said that the two statues represent Madiba as a statesman, and a man grounded to his culture and traditions.
“The statues are meant to preserve and promote the legacy of Nelson Mandela. One of the statues, situated in Qunu, preserves Madiba as a man that is grounded to his culture, heritage, history, and traditions.
“Another Madiba statue that represents him as a statesman will be unveiled at the Bhunga Building (Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha) on Mandela Day,” said Booi.
The unveiling of the statues will be preceded by an International Public Memorial Lecture, under the theme “Reigniting the Values of Nelson Mandela” and this will be held on Monday, July 17.
“The objective of the memorial lecture is to revisit and share the values of Nelson Mandela as an intellectual person, a political figure, as a father, a reconciler and a peace-building person,” added Booi.
The Nelson Mandela Museum will also be spending its 67 minutes as part of the Nelson Mandela Day by renovating and handing over a library to Zingisa Comprehensive High School in Mthatha.
This will be the third library to be donated by the institution as part of its Mandela Day goodwill initiatives.
A Nelson Mandela Golf Day is also planned for Saturday, July 29, at the Mthatha Golf Club, with proceeds of the day going towards a charity organisation of the museum’s choice.
“Because of the work we are doing on behalf of Madiba, we have managed to attract the interest of various businesses in Mthatha who have joined the crusade of sharing the values of Nelson Mandela with the world.
“The tournament is supported by various business owners in Mthatha, and will provide an opportunity for the Nelson Mandela Museum to create sound and mutual partnerships and collaborations with the business fraternity,” said Booi.
Booi said that SOS Children’s Village in Mthatha is one of the organisations that will benefit from the proceeds of the Golf Day.
An African Liberation Heritage Indaba, with the aim of reflecting on the significance of the values espoused by African leaders who were at the forefront of African liberation struggles, whilst also confronting the political, social and economic challenges facing African people, is planned to take place on Thursday, October 12 and on Friday, October 13.
