By Tabisa Mntengwana
21 July 2009

RESPONDING to the call to celebrate the 91st birthday of Nelson Mandela on Saturday, 18 July, Buffalo City residents and government officials gave their 67 minutes.

Activities undertaken in the town included clean-up campaigns, a boxing extravaganza, visiting the aged and giving toddlers educational equipment.

The clean-up campaigns kicked off at Mtsotso Cemetery in Mdantsane at 8am, where more than 100 youngsters cut grass, cleaned and weeded.

Giving his welcome address at the event, local entrepreneur Thamsanqa Mbambo, the main sponsor of the Buffalo City celebrations, said: "Coming together as youngsters and celebrating Madiba's birthday in a special and unique way brings joy to me."

Encouraging the city's youth, he added that sponsoring the event was part of his social responsibility to give back to the community "and I would like you [youth] to do the same for Madiba".

There was also a boxing extravaganza at the Mdantsane City Mall targeting youngsters in honour of Madiba's boxing youth. Hosting young boxers from eight to 13 years, Buffalo City, the Eastern Cape Youth Commission, Rhweboluhle Construction Company and the National Youth Service encouraged youngsters to be active in sport.

"Mdantsane is known for boxing and would like to encourage youngsters to be active in all sports and stay out of trouble," said Mbambo. The amateur boxing tournament rounded off with an awards ceremony.

Mandela, the former president and world icon, turned 91 on 18 July. Around the world people joined in the celebrations on the day, which from this year will be known as Mandela Day.

On the other side of town, in Duncan Village, senior City officials and residents cleaned up the township's C Section.

The event started at 9am, with municipal workers being ferried to the town in pickup trucks. Present at the clean-up were the council Speaker, Luleka Simon; the acting municipal manager, Amanda Magwentshu; the acting chief financial officer, Eddie Mnqonywa; and the director of community services, Jerome Ismail.

Mandela Day celebrates the idea that individuals have the power to bring about change. People have been urged around the world to spend 67 minutes doing something for the good of humanity and the planet. This marks the 67 years Mandela devoted to the fight for human rights.

The celebrations continued until Monday morning, 20 July in Zwelitsha, Phakamisa and Second Creek.

A visit to Cliff Day Care Centre in Phakamisa, began the day, where the MEC for roads and public works, Pemmy Majodina, handed over two park homes, a 12m container and a Mecer desktop computer.

In his welcome address, the portfolio head for local economic development, tourism and rural development, Sithembiso Tyilo, spoke about the City's joy in sharing this day with young and old alike. "We have to urge youngster to stay in school and know the value of education and learn various skills while still young."

The park homes will substitute the shacks used for crèches for toddlers.

In Zwelitsha, officials painted the Vukani Old Age Centre in Zone 4. The last stop was the Second Creek informal settlement in East London, with another park home being handed over.

The event was organised by Buffalo City, in conjunction with the provincial department of roads and public works, and the department of social development.

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