Madiba’s spirit honoured at Reconciliation Day celebrations | Western Cape Government

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Madiba’s spirit honoured at Reconciliation Day celebrations

18 December 2013
The vibrant and multicultural spirit of Cape Town was celebrated at the Reconciliation Day festival held in Green Point on 16 December 2013. Efforts to bring South Africans together were remembered at the event and the memory of Nelson Mandela was honoured at Prestwich Memorial Square where the FIFA 2010 Fan Walk was renamed the Walk of Remembrance.
 
To symbolise their commitment to creating a socially inclusive city, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Dr Ivan Meyer, City of Cape Town Mayor Patricia De Lille and soccer star Quinton Fortune placed their hands in wet cement. The impressions of their hands will be placed along the Walk of Remembrance. Referring to Madiba, Dr Meyer said “We live the values of the architect of reconciliation”.
 
Festival goers were treated to stilt-walkers, mimes, dancers and a free concert at the end of the walk. They were also given the opportunity to leave farewell messages to Mandela by painting on a canvas that stretched most of the way along the route to the Cape Town Stadium. The event marked the 25-day countdown to the 2014 Orange African Nations Championship soccer tournament (CHAN) that will take place in Cape Town, Mangaung and Polokwane from 11 January to 1 February 2014.
Media Enquiries: 

Annerie Pruis-Le Roux
Acting Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9730
E-mail: annerie.pruis@westerncape.gov.za