Deputy President Mashatile to lead Nelson Mandela International Day activities in Soweto

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, accompanied by the  Charlotte Mannya Maxeke Institute, will on Tuesday, 18 July 2023, lead the Nelson Mandela International Day activities taking place in Soweto. 

Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of the late liberation struggle veteran and international icon, President Nelson Mandela. 

This important day also serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to take time to reflect on Tata’s values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities.
 
This year’s Mandela Day will be observed under the theme ‘Climate, Food and Solidarity’ - urging all to action in response to the impact of climate change, addressing the challenges of poverty and inequality.

In this regard, the Deputy President and delegation will take part in planting 12 additional vegetable beds at the Morris Isaacson High School in Jabavu, Soweto, with the aim of encouraging the learners to start and maintain vegetable gardens at their schools and homes. 

This is also part of the food security initiatives aimed at contributing to the overall National School Nutrition Program.
 
While in Soweto, Deputy President Mashatile together with representatives of the National Youth Development Agency, Clinix Health Group and the Gauteng Provincial Government will hand over gifts to learners at both the Morris Isaacson and Matseke High Schools.

The Deputy President will then visit and hand over gifts to the elderly at the Soweto Home for the Aged which accommodates needy and destitute elderly people with full boarding and lodging facilities, frail care and other services.
 
As part of honouring and paying homage to freedom fighters, the Deputy President will be laying wreaths at Tsietsi Mashinini’s statue in Jabavu, the Nelson Mandela House in Vilakazi Street, as well as the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum in Orlando West.
 
The Deputy President will be supported by Gauteng Premier Mr Panyaza Lesufi, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mr Parks Tau, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ms Kedibone Diale Tlabela, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ms Morakane Mosupyoe, Gauteng MEC for Education Mr Matome Chiloane, Gauteng MEC for Social Development Ms Mbali Hlophe and senior government officials. 
 
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the programme as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 18 July
Time:
09:30 – 12:15: Morris Isaacson High School
12:20 – 12:30: Wreath Laying at the Tsietsi Mashinini Memorial
12:35 – 13:25: Soweto Home for the Aged
13:35 – 14:15: Matseke High School
14:20 – 14:30: Wreath Laying at the Nelson Mandela House
14:40 – 14:50: Wreath Laying at the Hector Pieterson Museum
 
For more information and accreditation, please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 and Tshiamo Selomo on 066 118 1505.
 

Media enquiries: Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile on 081 307 9233

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria