A celebration of the Nelson Mandela Centenary

Former South African President Nelson Mandela. PHOTO| AFP

What you need to know:

  • This year, South Africa will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

Nelson Mandela’s legacy lives on five years after his death. The global icon is celebrated for having led South Africa in the quest to overcome the oppressive apartheid regime.

In 1994, the fight against white-minority rule was won as South Arica gained independence and democracy. Mandela became its first black president.
When Nelson Mandela passed on in 2013, the world all over eulogised him as a selfless leader who stood in the face of great injustices for the freedom, peace and unity of his people.

Nelson Mandela celebrates his 86th birthday with Graca Machel (left) and Winnie Madikizela Mandela (right) on July 18, 2004. PHOTO | FILE

His passion and commitment to cause continues to touch the hearts of many globally. Songs, books, art exhibitions and even charity causes have been started to keep the memories of the great leader alive.

Every year on July 18, the world joins South Africa in marking the late Nelson Mandela’s birthday. This year, South Africa will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

Various activities have been lined up to mark the Nelson Mandela Centenary celebrations.

  1. Former US President Barrack Obama’s public address at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on the eve of Nelson Mandela Day. President Obama paid tribute to the late Mandela for being an example and inspiration of hope. "And now an entire generation has now grown up in a world that by most measures has gotten steadily freer, healthier, wealthier, less violent and more tolerant during the course of their lifetimes. It should make us hopeful."

    Former US President Barack Obama speaks during the 2018 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture at the Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Johannesburg on July 17, 2018. PHOTO| AFP

  2. A showcase of the Madiba T-shirt by designer Sonwabile Ndamase at the 100 Years Centenary Nelson Mandela Fashion experience in Pretoria, South Africa. Sonwabile redesigned the T-shirt to fit in the latest trend and resonate with the youth. South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) that the showcasing will run over three days from July 19-21.

  3. The launch of a sanitary pads production machine at Mandela’s birthplace in Mvezo, Eastern Cape. The event will be led by founder of Beauty with a Purpose, Julia Molley alongside the current Miss World South Africa. The machine has a capacity to produce 2,500 pads per day and will go a long way in empowering women and schoolgirls in the area.

  4. Melrose Gallery’s “The Mandela 100 exhibition” in Melrose Arch that opened om July 11, 2018 and will run throughout the celebration period. The exhibition features a variety of artwork including sculptures, paintings, caricatures, photography et cetera. It aims at portraying various elements of Nelson Mandela’s legacy and also his journey as a world icon. The exhibition is curated by Zanele Mashumi.

  5. Trek4Mandela embarked on a journey to reach the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania last week. Trek4Mandela is an initiative aimed at bringing together inspired individuals to assist in raising funds and creating awareness on empowering girls. It was established by innovative social entrepreneur and humanitarian Richard Mabaso.

  6. A concert in honour of Mandela’s 100th birthday is scheduled to take place on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg bringing the Nelson Mandela Centenary to a close. Singer Beyoncé and Jay-Z will headline the star-studded concert that will also feature Wizkid, D’banj, Femi Kuti, Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Pharrell Williams and Usher among others.

    Nelson Mandela speaks during the 46664 concert in honour of his 90th birthday in Hyde Park, central London, on June 27, 2008. PHOTO| AFP