Pretoria - Government is to host a ‘Tribute to Nelson Mandela’ Sport Day later this year, Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula announced on Thursday.
“The sport and recreation movement, together with the Department of Arts and Culture, will be hosting a ‘Tribute to Nelson Mandela’ Sport Day on 17 August 2013, where we will be celebrating the enormous contribution of this human colossal by hosting One Nation, One Venue, One Ticket Music Festival and Sport Spectacular.
“During this day, all South Africans will be united in their diversity to celebrate the Mandela Magic and take stock on the road we traversed in sport and recreation as well as in arts and culture in our struggle and quest for reconciliation and national unity,” he said.
Mbalula, who was tabling his 2013 budget vote before the National Council of Provinces, said this would be done in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture.
With regards to the celebrations to mark South Africa’s 20th democracy and freedom, Mbalula said: “During this year and in 2014, our country and people will be engaged in activities that are aimed at searching for purpose and meaning of democracy and freedom.
“As government and members of society, we are called upon to engage the youth of our country to talk about the benefits and the significance of democracy and meaning of freedom with its concomitant responsibility.”
Mbalula said young people will be engaged to give an account of how democracy and freedom have changed their lives.
He said the campaign, which he believes will keep South Africans talking, will be targeting the 20-year-olds who were born in 1994.
“The born-frees will give account to the nation of how it is to be born in a democratic and free society. This campaign is anchored on the giant pillars of social cohesion and nation building.
“Given the significance of our two decades in the history of our struggle, we will create platforms for such reflections by utilising our National Youth Games and National Youth Camps, amongst others, for the reflections and escalating the debates,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
