North West wish Madiba happy 94th birthday

The North West Provincial Government has joined all South Africans and the international community in wishing former President Nelson Mandela a happy 94th birthday, and in celebrating his life and legacy.

Speaking at the International Mandela day celebration held at Dinokana Stadium on Wednesday, Acting Premier, MEC for Education and Training Louisa Mabe wished Madiba a happy birthday citing that the province is happy to be hosting an event that is honouring the world icon. "Our former President, Nelson Mandela is very special to all of us, he dedicated most of his life to the democracy that we are enjoying today.

"As the first President of a democratic South Africa, we will always thank him for promoting peace and stability in the entire South Africa," she said.

Thousands of people throughout the North West province came in large numbers to join Ministers, MEC’s, Mayors, MPL’s, in celebrating the Madiba's birthday.
Thabiso Mere, 22, from Dinokana village thanked government for choosing her village to host the national Mandela day event.

“I really see how Madiba has touched the lives of so many people and thanks our government for hosting this event here. Happy Birthday to Madiba, he means a lot to all of us,” she said.

In honour of Madiba, people have been urged to spend 67 minutes of their time helping others especially the poor. Acting Premier Mabe joined Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile to hand over a four bed roomed house to the family of Bertha Badirwang who lives in Kgalagatsang village.
They were also accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and Health Minister Aaron Motswaledi.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Culture, Joe Phaahla, North West MEC’s for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Raymond Elisha and MEC for Economic Affairs, Conservation and Tourism, Motlalepula Rosho led a team of volunteers that dedicated 67 minutes of their time painting Maramage Primary School.

Minister Paul Mashatile called on South Africans to make every day a Mandela Day by continuing to helping others especially those that are poor or less fortunate. He said South Africans must stand together to fight the challenges of poverty.

"We must together join hands in expanding job opportunities for the unemployed youth. Let us all strive to become agents of a caring society," he said. Speakers from various political parties led by the Chief Whip of the Majority Party in the National Assembly, Mathole Motshekga also paid tributes to Madiba.