The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) will join the nation in honouring the call by our President, Mr Jacob Zuma, that all South Africans should dedicate 67 minutes of their time to make a positive contribution to society in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day.
In his State of the Nation Address on 3 June 2009, President Jacob Zuma said: "An international campaign has been initiated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and related organisations, called Mandela Day, which sums up what Tata stands for."
Cabinet, on 1 July 2009, endorsed the call to declare 18 July as Mandela Day globally. Cabinet called on all South Africans, civil society organisations and the citizens of the world to support the Mandela Day initiative by doing 'good' in their communities. In celebration of Mandela Day, staff of the KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office of the Department of Mineral Resources will on Saturday, 18 July 2009, visits the new Princess Nombuso Early Childhood Development Centre to help clean the premises, clear rubble and plant trees and flowers. This is in preparation for the official launch of the project, located at KwaNzimakwe, Port Edward.
The Minister of Mineral Resources, Ms Susan Shabangu, said her department hoped its contribution to Mandela Day would help to make a difference. Minister Shabangu said: "As we congratulate Madiba on his 91st birthday, we also want to commend this South African icon for his contribution to our country and indeed the world. Nelson Mandela's lifelong and tireless commitment to the development of South Africa and its people is a shining example for all of humanity.
"Inspired by Madiba's love for children, our staff will be spending at least 67 minutes helping to clean the premises of the newly-built Princess Nombuso Early Childhood Development Centre so that when the children start using the facilities, they will be learning and playing in a place that is fit for their needs."
The ECD Centre is a public-private partnership between Natal Portland Cement, which has lime mining operations in the area, as well as the Hibiscus Coast Municipality and the Department of Mineral Resources.
The visit is scheduled as follows:
Date: Saturday, 18 July 2009
Time: 10h00
Venue: Kwa-Nzimakwe, Port Edward
Enquiries:
Jeremy Michaels
Head of Communications
Ministry and Department of Mineral Resources
Telephone: 012 679 9091
Cell number: 082 772 1122
For media RSVPs please contact:
Solly Phetla
Chief Directorate: Communications
Tel: 012 679 9042
Fax: 012 679 9061
Cell: 076 765 3863
Issued by: Department of Mineral Resources
17 July 2009
