Tomorrow, Tuesday 20 August, Premier Helen Zille and Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works Robin Carlisle will open the refurbished "Madiba Freedom Walk" road (Schuurmansfontein Road) at the Drakenstein Correctional Centre (formerly Victor Verster Prison) in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The road is the historic site where former President Nelson Mandela took his first steps to freedom from the then-Victor Verster Prison where he was incarcerated from December 1988, after being held initially on Robben Island and then transferred to Pollsmoor Prison.
The provincial road has been rebuilt by the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works in partnership with Cape Winelands District Municipality at a cost of R 6 million, as an investment to preserve this significant piece of South African history and honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela as a statesman and global icon.
Media are invited to attend. Details are below:
Date: 20 August 2013
Time: 14h00 to 15h00
Venue: Drakenstein Correction Centre, Schuurmansfontein Road, Drakenstein Municipality
(Directions: Travelling on the N1 from Cape Town towards Paarl, take the Exit 59 off-ramp (Jan Riebeeck drive), then turn right in the direction of Franschoek, travel for about 5 km and Drakenstein Correctional Centre will be on your right. Provincial Flags will indicate the correct turn-off.)
Media enquiries:
Zakhele Mbhele – Spokesperson for Premier Helen Zille
Tel: 021 483 4584
Cell: 083 600 2349
E-mail: Zak.Mbhele@westerncape.gov.za
Sanele Nyoka – Acting Spokesperson for Minister Robin Carlisle
Tel: 021 483 5522
Cell: 083 641 9691
E-mail: Sanele.Nyoka@westerncape.gov.za
