Members of the Media are cordially invited to join Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube and His Worship the Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo to participate in the Freedom Flame roadshow which will cover the length and breadth of the Municipality from Tuesday, 8 to 12 April 2014.
This occasion will officially commence the countdown to National Freedom day scheduled to take place on '27 April 2014.
The Freedom Flame will be officially received in Durban tomorrow at Lungisisa Indlela Village at Cotton lands, north of Durban (near Verulam), officially kick-starting the 20 years of Freedom celebrations in Durban.
Throngs of community members are expected to welcome the Freedom Flame and participate in activities aimed at celebrating the strides made in building a united, non-racial and prosperous world class city from the debris of apartheid fragmentation and spatial development.
EThekwini’s approach to freedom celebrations entails visiting various high-impact projects that have tangible impact for the community which were delivered by the current government. This is to acknowledge the positive change that has been brought by the visionary leadership of the Municipality.
The celebrations will demonstrate the level of development that has taken place in various areas in the City since 1994 where there was no electricity, water, roads or homes before against visible results on the ground.
The programme will further highlight the work which lies ahead, such as the urgent need to fast-track the delivery of infrastructure, basic services, economic growth and job creation.
Details of the event are as follows:
Time: 7h30
Day one:
Tuesday, 8 April: The Freedom Flame will be handed over to the eThekwini Municipality during an official reception ceremony to be held at Lungela Indlela Village (LIV) Orphanage in Verulam at 7am. The current host, Ilembe District Municipality will deliver the Flame which will be received by Cogta MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo. The Flame will then tour identified sites in the north of the City including Hammonds Farm, Phoenix, Amawoti, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu and end off with a parade around Bridge City.
Day two:
Wednesday, 9 April: The celebrations will start at the Dumisani Makhaye Bridge in KwaMashu and then move to Chesterville, Cato Crest, UKZN Howard College, Wentworth, Lamontville, Chatsworth, Welbedacht and end off with a celebratory session with the traditional leaders at Pinetown Civic Centre.
Day three:
Thursday, 10 April: The celebrations will be held in western areas of eMaphephetheni, KwaXimba, eNtshanga, Hammersdale, Hillcrest, eNtshongweni, KwaNdengezi and Clermont.
Day four:
Friday, 11 April: The programme will kick off in Umlazi and then proceed to Folweni, eMbumbulu, Illovu, KwaMakhutha, eSiphingo and finish off with a parade on the beachfront in Durban. There will be a screening of the Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Movie. (By invitation only)
Day five:
Saturday, 12 April: The celebrations will kick off with the One City One Book relay to be held at Newlands. It will then move to the Workshop Shopping Centre and Gateway Theatre of Shopping. On its way to the next host, Ugu District Municipality, the Freedom Flame will make a stop at Umnini where there will be celebrations with the local community. The handover to Ugu District Municipality will be held at Umzinto Hall.
To RSVP send an e-mail to: gugu.mbonambi@durban.gov.za
Journalists requiring transport to the different venues can meet at the City Hall car park, at 6h45.
For more information contact:
Municipal Spokesperson
Thabo Mofokeng
Tel: 031 311 4820
Cell: 082 731 7456
E-mail: thabo1.mofokeng@durban.gov.za
