Ahead of Nelson Mandela day tomorrow, Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, has welcomed plans to display a giant tapestry honouring the beloved statesman at Cape Town International Airport.
Amnesty International today announced that the “Flying Madiba” tapestry would be unveiled in the “meeters and greeters” area in the international arrivals hall at the Cape Town International Airport.
The 6 x 3 metres tapestry was woven by Atelier Pinton in Aubusson, France.
The Mandela tapestry project is a partnership between Art for Amnesty and the Cape Town International Airport and is endorsed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The project has been backed and funded by Bono & Edge of U2, John Legend, Peter Gabriel, Sting & Yoko Ono.
“This is a fitting tribute to Madiba, displayed prominently so as to welcome international visitors to our country. The tapestry will be unveiled on 10 December 2015, which is International Human Rights day. Madiba is one of the world’s most celebrated human rights activists.”
This week, Minister Winde announced a Project Khulisa proposal to develop a heritage tourism route which would trace Madiba’s journey in the Western Cape.
Project Khulisa is the Western Cape’s growth strategy.
The proposed route stemmed from South African Tourism’s mobile app, which is based on the “Madiba-inspired tourism attractions” map.
The proposal is to develop signage to assist tourists and locals to walk in the footsteps of Madiba, a route which will highlight culturally significant sites in the province linked with our history. These sites include Robben Island, City Hall and Drakenstein Correctional Services.
For media queries, kindly contact:
Bronwynne Jooste
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
E-mail: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
