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South Africa: Tshwane Elders Celebrate Madiba's Birthday
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
20 July 2008
Posted to the web 21 July 2008
Edwin Tshivhidzo
Hamanskraal
Christmas came early for the elderly who were treated to a free lunch by the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality as part of Madiba's 90th birthday celebrations.
The pensioners, who came in large numbers to Hamanskraal on Friday, were treated to a free lunch of pap and meat as well as live music by local artists.
Also as part of Madiba's birthday celebrations, the city embarked on a campaign to register poor households to enable them to receive free water and electricity.
One Gogo, Rosina Tshabalala, 84, told BuaNews that she was excited to be taking part in the Madiba's birthday celebrations.
"He is our hero, he provided us with houses and we are also receiving pension grants because of him," she said.
Asked what she will tell Madiba if she could be given an opportunity to speak to him, with excitement, she said she would just thank him for the democracy he brought.
"We are free because of him, he fought for us so we could be free," she said.
Also echoing the similar sentiments was Jostenos Modila, 67, from Majaneng in Hamanskraal, who said his biggest wish was to meet Madiba and thank him for everything he has done for the country.
"He is our hero, I wish he could live [forever]," he said.
For Gogo Makgabo Setutuwela, celebrating Madiba's birthday would be a day she will always remember.
"I wish he was here with us, I was going to tell him that he is the greatest. He fought for the poor so they could live a better life," she said.
The campaign to register indigent households was launched in February this year by the Tshwane Executive Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa.
The municipality hopes to have registrations completed by the end of this financial year.
The municipality has identified 100 000 poor households eligible for free services in the metropolitan area, of which 80 000 have already been registered.
Eligible households would receive 100kw of electricity and 12 kilolitres of drinking water and six kilolitres for sanitation.
Also as part of the celebrations, the city has invited residents to a free Jazz music session at the Mandela Square in Hamanskraal on Sunday.
President Thabo Mbeki also extended his message on behalf of the entire nation to the internationally revered statesman and former political prisoner on Friday.
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Mr Mbeki said all South Africans glow in the light of fame because the country stands on the shoulders of icons such as Madiba.
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