Address by Phumeza Shenxane to the Junior Town Council on Madiba's birthday

"As a man, Nelson is passionate, emotional, sensitive, quickly stung to bitterness and retaliation by insult and patronage.  He has a natural air of authority.  He cannot help magnetising a crowd.  He is commanding with a tall, handsome bearing;  trusts and is trusted by the youth for their impatience reflects his own;  appealing to women.  He is dedicated and fearless.  He is a born mass leader."  This is an extract from a book I recently read, written by Professor William Gumede.  The book is titled 'Nelson Mandela, No Easy Walk to Freedom'.  These words were said by Nelson Mandela's long time friend and partner, Oliver Tambo.

Recently, one of my favourite writers, Shaka Sisulu (grandson to Walter and Albertina Sisulu) tweeted, "What would you ask Mandela if you had to meet him?"  I remember thinking, I would ask him if he really liked those printed shirts they made him wear?

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a Xhosa born to the uThembu royal family.  Born to Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Knosi Mphakanyiswa.  uTata grew up hearing stories of his ancestors valour during the wars of resistance.  He dreamed of making his own contribution to the struggle of our people.  A former Johannesburg attorney who, together with his best friend, established South Africa's first black law firm.

As I read through Madiba's history and background, I discovered that Mandela was meant for greatness.  Born into royalty, then becoming the very first person in his family to attend secondary school, establishing South Africa's first black law firm in 1952 and, the biggest one of them all, becoming South Africa's first democratic president.  Reading through all of this, you cannot help but admire who he is, and be grateful for all the extraordinary things he has done for our country.

On Thurday, 18 July 2013, we celebrated Mandela Day, and on this day uTata ask each and every South African to do something meaningful for someone else.  To me, this day means we take the values, morals and lessons that Madiba has taught over the years and we put them into practice.  It means that for 67 minutes we live through uBuntu and we celebrate what makes us proud to be South African.

As uTata spends his 44th day in hospital, in a critical, but stable condition, we honour and celbrate him for he bears an enormous and inspiring legacy for his people, and the world of recognition, genuine human sacrifice, which, if adopted by humankind, can have remarkable results.

Thanks to this big guy, we have an opportunity to pioneer, to take our place in the world and become what our great grandparents, grandparents and our own parents imagined we could never be.  Imprtantly, we have become a united South Africa;  a South Africa that is alive with possibility! So, let every day be a Mandela Day!

Charlton House Outing to Rhodes Memorial

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MADIBA

Happy birthday, President Nelson Mandela

After the birthday assembly, the girls assembled on the lawn to form a 95 and to sing happy birthday to Madiba!