SA honours Mandela

JOHANNESBURG — South Africans honoured the 67 years of former president Nelson Mandela’s service to the country with 67 minutes of charity and community action around the country on his birthday on Saturday. Established in 2009, the day is meant to encourage South Africans to emulate Mandela’s humanitarian legacy and recognise the decades he spent fighting apartheid.

All over the country, volunteers handed out blankets and books, distributed toys at orphanages, and cleaned up public areas, before reporting their activities on social media.

His former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela held a lunch for elderly, needy women at the Mandela family restaurant near the family home in Soweto, calling it a chance to recommit to his values of “bettering the lives of our people.”

Dozens of elderly women wrapped in coats and scarves against the crisp winter weather filled a tent set up on the road.

“It makes me happy but it reminds me of the past, of the apartheid years,” said Elizabeth Khoba, 77, who had just received a fleecy purple blanket. She lived near the late statesman and remembered him “as a very tall chap” who would chide misbehaving children in the neighbourhood.

Retired archbishop Desmond Tutu, who once lived a few doors away from Mandela, described his fellow Nobel laureate’s work as “a lifetime of selflessness . an example of humanity for the ages.”

At the University of Johannesburg, Mandela’s widow Graca Machel gave out food parcels and blankets knitted specifically for the occasion.

“Knowing my man as I know, wherever he is up there, he’s with a bright bright smile blessing you all, blessing our nation,” said Machel.

Mandela died in December 2013.

To mark the day, the United Nations announced the first Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize to be awarded every five years to a man and woman who have furthered his legacy, which embodied “the highest values of the United Nations,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

President Jacob Zuma called on South Africans to dedicate themselves to building a united and caring society, as the world celebrated Nelson Mandela International Day.

“In unity, let us take forward Madiba’s vision of ending poverty, inequality and unemployment and build a more prosperous society in which all, especially the poor and the working class, are assured of a better life,” Zuma said.

He also called for an end to the abuse of women and children, as well as the abuse of drugs and other substances.

Zuma went on to call for an end to crime and disobedience.

The destruction of property during criminal activities and “hooliganism” also needed to end.

“In his memory, let us rededicate ourselves to unity, love, forgiveness, reconciliation, respect for one another and tolerance,” Zuma said.

l President Zuma was discharged from hospital yesterday following a procedure to remove gallstones, the presidency said.

“Doctors are pleased with the outcome of the operation,” spokesperson Bongani Majola said.

“The president will spend the next few days resting and recuperating at home. He will also work from home during this period.”

The presidency announced late on Saturday evening that Zuma had been admitted to hospital.

The gallstones were discovered during a routine medical check-up about two months ago, Majola said.

He was not able to have the procedure earlier because of his schedule.

“The period of recess in Parliament and Cabinet provided an opportunity to have the procedure done.

“The presidency wishes the president well and a speedy recovery,” he said.

The last reported time the public was notified that Zuma was in hospital was June last year.

At the time, Sapa reported that Zuma had been admitted to a Pretoria hospital for routine tests.

Zuma was reportedly advised to rest following a demanding election and transition programme to the new administration.

The presidency said Zuma undergoes two major medical examinations per annum, the first one in January and the second in June. — Sapa