The overwhelming response to the inaugural Mandela Day has served to remind all of us that values of human solidarity, compassion and human dignity that are the legacy of Nelson Mandela enables our communities to achieve higher results through collective efforts, North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa said at the conclusion of the programme for community services on Saturday.
The joint programme of the Department of Public Safety and Moretele Local Municipality to celebrate Mandela Day through active community service was sponsored by private sector organisations like Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC), Builders Trade Depot in Rustenburg and Xstrata Alloys-Merafe Resources.
“The celebration of Tata Mandela’s birthday in this fashion has reminded us that our government is building on the foundation to extricate us from poverty that he has laid,” said 60 years old widower, Mpho Morebudi on behalf of seven needy families from Bosplaas, who received food parcels from Public Safety MEC, Howard Yawa and Moretele Mayor, Asnath Molekoa.
Three separate 67 minutes activities that made the programme for the day included distribution of food parcels to needy families and the cleaning and painting of Cyferskuil Police Station. The climax of the day’s activities was the birthday celebration of five elders who shared their 91st birthday with the former President of South Africa and icon, Nelson Mandela. The joyous and memorable birthday celebration was hosted by Moretele Local Municipality and attended by close to two hundred pensioners. Nothing could keep the aged in their seats as they danced and sang along to performance by gospel and soul singer Kori Moraba.
“The response we have received from the business sector, non-government organisations, community policing forums in the Mmakau Cluster and volunteers from the South African Police Service (SAPS), Moretele Local Municipality and our communities was phenomenal and has galvanised us to take forward the legacy of humility and selflessness that Madiba as our icon espoused and personified in pursuit of freedom, equality and a better life for all,”Yawa said.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lesetja Beetha, Station Commissioners for Police Stations in the Mmakau Cluster, Area Manager for PPC North West, Nico Roets, councillors and employees of Moretele Local Municipality and the Department of Public Safety also participated in the programme.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9164
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Safety, North West Provincial Government
20 July 2009
