The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile, will be representing government, during interfaith prayers and a wreath laying ceremony at Freedom Park, on 16 December 2013, as part of the programme for Reconciliation Day.
In line with the government’s theme of ‘Nation Building, Social Cohesion and Reconciliation’, and as part of the day’s activities, Freedom Park will host an interfaith prayer session on this day, from 07h00 to 08h30, at ISIVIVANE, one of the Park’s elements. The Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Councilor Kgosiento Ramokgopa, will welcome all guests present.
The programme starts with a ceremony during which religious leaders from the various faiths will render their prayers. Interfaith prayers will be conducted by representatives of the nine religious faith groups in South Africa, which will include prominent religious leaders from a number of faiths, such as Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Rastafarian, Baha’ism, Hari Krishna Faith and Judaism, as well as African traditional religion.
All these religious groups will come together at ISIVIVANE, and conduct prayers following their tradition and to respect each other. Religious leaders from various faith communities as well as the general public will unite to pray and intercede for peace and reconciliation in our country.
During this session, Premiers from different Provinces will also be laying wreaths on their provincial boulders, honouring the fallen heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for Freedom and Humanity.
‘Freedom Park, which is an inclusive space for spirituality, has decided to support a prayer service to pray for the nation’ says Fana Jiyane, Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Park. ‘This day is considered as one of the most historic and memorable days in the history of South Africa, especially when it is happening at a time when our Patron-in-Chief, Tata Madiba just passed on. Tata Madiba was the greatest human being this planet has ever produced – a unifier, reconciler, a nation builder and the greatest son of Africa. Freedom Park wants to express its profoundly heartfelt condolences to the Madiba Family and the Nation as a whole’.
Jiyane believes that events such as this prayer day are uniquely South African as it allows for and encourages individuals from a diverse nation, regardless of religion, culture or race, to unite. He invites all South Africans, to build on the values of reconciliation, social cohesion and nation building.
The rest of the day’s programme, starting at 11h00, will be conducted at the Union Buildings. It will include pre-official cultural programme, messages of support to political parties, and key-note address by President Zuma, which will include amongst other announcements, the declaration of the Union Buildings as a Grade 1 National Heritage Site and the unveiling of the Nelson Mandela Statue.
While the statue will be a monument dedicated to the life of the former President Nelson Mandela and his contribution to freedom and reconciliation in South Africa, it will also be a collective memorial to the struggles and sacrifice that millions of South Africans made so that our country could be free and her citizens live in peace and prosperity.
A delegation of Freedom Park will also attend the Reconciliation Day proceedings at Voortrekker Monument on 16 December 2013. In commemoration of the Groot Trek of 1838, an ox- wagon will be built after the church service. The Managing Director of Voortrekker Monument, Ms Sonja Lombard, and Dr Phillip Guma, member of the Freedom Park Council will ride on the wagon, as a symbol of reconciliation.
The general public is invited to attend the ceremony, and entrance to Freedom Park will be free.
For more information please contact:
Elsa Daniels
+27 (0)12 336 4006
+27 (0)79 515 3371
E-mail: Elsa@freedompark.co.za
