Pretoria – Cabinet has thanked South Africans and the world for participating in this year’s Nelson Mandela Day, on 18 July.
“South Africans from every part of our country answered the call to dedicate their time and energy towards making a difference,” said Communications Minister Faith Muthambi, on Thursday.
She was briefing media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, in Cape Town.
President Jacob Zuma, in his State of the Nation Address, called on South Africans to use the day to clean their communities. Cabinet ministers, premiers and citizens around the country rolled up their sleeves to tidy up the environment.
Minister Muthambi said the clean-up operations beautified surroundings and ensured the preservation of the environment.
“As part of the campaign, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (cogta) dispatched about 150 municipal technical officials across municipalities to take part in this clean-up campaign, but also to support municipalities throughout the year,” she said.
Women’s Month
The minister also announced that President Jacob Zuma will launch Women’s Month next week at the Union Buildings.
“The launch will be joined by the Pan African Parliament which will also pay tribute to the Pan African Women’s Organisation and its role in liberating South African women.”
She said a number of activities have been planned for the month to celebrate the gains made by South Africa in changing the lives of South African women.
The main Women’s Day event will be held in Durban and the Department of Arts and Culture is expected to launch the “20 Best Moments for Women” during August.
“These key events mark achievements by exceptional women and the gains made by all South African women,” said Minister Muthambi.
National Orders
The minister said the Chancery of Orders has invited nominations for the National Orders – the highest form of recognition that a country bestows on deserving citizens.
South Africans can nominate members of the public, non-governmental organisations or civic and faith based organisations for National Orders. The President, as the Grand Patron of the National Orders, award these orders to deserving recipients.
“Members of the public are requested to submit names of an outstanding individual in their community using a form available from www.presidency.gov.za,” said the minister.
This must be accompanied by a separate motivation covering various areas, including an introductory paragraph with a summary of the nominee’s achievements, a list of exceptional milestones reached by the nominee in his/her career and/or international area.
The motivation should also include a description of the exceptional, outstanding, dedicated service or act of bravery rendered by the nominee.
The closing date for nominations is 31 July. – SAnews.gov.za
