
This is a challenge that will take Nelson Mandela Day to another level, with a long term view of converting every day in the city to a Mandela Day.
The municipality will this year celebrate International Nelson Mandela Day (July 18) in a manner that depicts the journey of endurance travelled by former President and world icon Nelson Mandela.
The Ekurhuleni Metro has sponsored well-known Sibusiso Vilane and his team to take on Mount Kilimanjaro in the name of Madiba, as part of the Trek4Mandela Challenge.
EMM Mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele said the pursuit of excellence requires the attributes of resilience and endurance as evidenced, in the life of the world icon.
“The question is: do we know what Mandela he stands for? Can we boldly say we will live up to his legacy?” the mayor asked.
Addressing a media briefing in Germiston,on Monday morning, Gungubele handed over the city’s flag to the Trek4Mandela team, to fly it at the peak of the majestic mountain,in honour of Madiba.
Gungubele said the Trek4Mandela challenge will be used to raise funds for identified projects, namely the Caring4Girls and Youth Leadership Development programmes,as part of the 67 Minutes for Mandela’s call for goodwill.
Caring4girls is set to benefit 500 secondary school, underprivileged girls at two of the priority areas in Ekurhuleni (Winnie Mandela and Zonkezizwe), through the provision of a year’s supply of sanitary towels.
These will come with complete hygiene kits and educational manuals.
According to Vilane, he has conquered all the highest mountains in the world, but there are yet still many mountains, in terms of charity work, to be conquered.
“When I was invited to climb Kilimanjaro for a cause that will give many girls their dignity back, I didn’t hesitate,” he said.
“I was touched to hear that there are actually millions of girls without access to sanitary towels, as a result of which some eventually drop out from school.”
The team departed yesterday (Thursday) to pursue the six-day journey to the peak of the mountain and are expected back on July 21.
The second leg of the city’s programme includes hot spot interventions for the 67 minutes element of the campaign, on 18 July. The third and final leg will see the municipality continue to deliver meaningful programmes beyond International Nelson Mandela Month, as they strive to make every day a Mandela Day.