BuaNews (Tshwane)
Edwin Tshivhidzo
9 May 2008
Pretoria — The Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality will on Tuesday bestow the Freedom of the City award on former President Nelson Mandela in recognition of his role in a democratic South Africa.
The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate will turn 90 this year with numerous international events set to take place in a build up to his birthday on 18 July.
Announcing the award on Thursday, Executive Mayor, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa said the council had resolved during its meeting to bestow this important honour of the Freedom of the City as the highest honour by the city to deserving individuals.
"Mr Mandela was inaugurated in this city and this award is in recognition of his role as the first President of the democratic South Africa over and above having suffered for decades for freedom and justice for all South Africans - both black and white," said Ms Ramokgopa.
Ms Ramokgopa expressed delight in that Madiba had accepted the offer to bestow on him the Freedom of the City award.
"It is indeed fitting that the capital city, the city in which he worked and lived as the first President of the democratically elected republic should bestow on him this honour.
"Madiba epitomises our struggle for freedom, justice, reconciliation and nation building. He is recognised world-wide as the symbol of statesmanship and peace," added Ms Ramokgopa.
The official ceremony will take place at the City Hall and at the same time an open public event will be held at Church Square in Pretoria central.
The ceremony will be attended by politicians, business people, diplomats, national and provincial government officials and representatives of various sectors in civil society.
Special arrangements at Church Square will be made for the elderly, people living with disability and children and music and entertainment will be provided.
The Executive Mayor will be accompanied by the Speaker, the Chief Whip, Representatives of all parties and representatives of stakeholders from Tshwane.
The event forms part of activities planned towards the celebration of Madiba's birthday which will see people all around the globe having the opportunity to send their personal messages to Mr Mandela through SMS, MMS and via the web.
The main event, the 46664 concert, will be held at Hyde Park in London on 27 June.
The annual 46664 World Aids Day concert will be held on 29 November in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
The 46664 campaign will unveil a range of silver, gold and platinum 46664 branded bangles in June at a special fund raising event in London.
Other activities include a series of six newspaper interviews in honour of Mr Mandela that would be published from March to July on the site www.nelsonmandela.org.
In South Africa, the Parenting a Nation: Walter and Albertina Sisulu campaign will be unveiled which will coincide with the opening of the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa on 12 March at Mandela House.
Another highlight during the run-up to Mr Mandela's birthday is a visit by the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who will deliver the 6th Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture at Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto, on 12 July.
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