City of Cape Town Outlines Commemorative Events to Honour Mandela

City of Cape Town Executive Mayor, Alderman Patricia de Lille, today confirmed the events that the City will host to honour the late Nelson Mandela.

The City’s events below are aligned with the national programme of events announced by the Presidency yesterday. All accredited media are welcome to attend the following events:

Nelson Mandela: A Life Celebrated – Wednesday 11 December 2013

The City will host a commemorative event at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday 11 December 2013. This will serve as Cape Town’s memorial service to honour the life of Nelson Mandela. Members of the public are encouraged to attend this event to mark Cape Town’s own tribute to Madiba.

The event starts at 16:00 and gates will open at 14:00. Prominent local acts will perform as well as a potential international artist. Details will be confirmed closer to the time.

In order to maintain order and safety, the City will have a coupon system in place to regulate entry to the stadium. A maximum of five coupons are available per person, free of charge, on presentation of a valid Identity Document or passport. These coupons can be collected via Computicket or at any Shoprite outlet across Cape Town.

This coupon allows free access to public transport in the form of the MyCiTi bus service, Golden Arrow Bus Services, and Metrorail into and out of the city.

Commuters are encouraged to use the free public transport service because some roads around the stadium will be closed and it is anticipated that there will be traffic congestion.

There will be a free MyCiTi shuttle service from the Civic Centre to the Cape Town Stadium and ‘walk of remembrance’ from the Civic Centre to the stadium will be activated (the fan walk).

Please note that there will be a separate media accreditation process for the above event at the stadium. This information will be communicated ahead of the time.

In addition to the main event above, the City will host the following events:

Special Council meeting – Sunday 8 December 2013

The City will host a special Council meeting on Sunday 8 December 2013 in order to allow the City’s elected representatives to pay tribute to Madiba. The Council meeting will take place in the Council Chambers at the Civic Centre on Hertzog Boulevard, starting at 10:00.

Prayers on the Grand Parade – Sunday 8 December 2013

In line with the National Day of Prayer and Reflection, the City will host an inter-faith service on the Grand Parade from 17:00 onwards.

Remembrance evening at OR Tambo – Monday 9 December 2013

Members of the public are invited to gather at the OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha for an evening of remembrance from 19:00 onwards.

Screening of national memorial service – Tuesday 10 December 2013

The City of Cape Town will screen the national memorial service on the Grand Parade so that all residents can come together to mourn Tata Madiba.

Remembrance evening in Atlantis – Thursday 12 December 2013

Members of the public are invited to gather at Wesfleur in Atlantis for an evening of remembrance from 19:00 onwards.

Night Vigil – Saturday 14 December 2013

On the eve of Madiba’s funeral, residents will be able to gather for a night vigil on the Grand Parade from 17:00.

Screening of national funeral – Sunday 15 December 2013

The national funeral service in Qunu will be screened for Capetonians on the Grand Parade on 15 December 2013.

Throughout the mourning period

Members of the public may leave flowers and write messages in books of remembrance, available at the Civic Centre and on Grand Parade.

Accreditation

The City of Cape Town has set up a dedicated Media Centre for all accredited journalists at the City Hall on the Grand Parade in Darling Street.

Members of the media are welcome to use this media centre as a base from which to work. Media can obtain accreditation at the City Library/Drill Hall on Buitenkant Street near the City Hall, between 09:00 and 14:00 daily. From here, they will be directed to the Media Centre in City Hall.

For more information please:

• visit the dedicated website: www.capetown.gov.za/nelsonmandela
• follow the City on Twitter: @CityofCT
• visit the facebook page: www.facebook.com/CityofCT

In addition, the Media Centre will serve as a venue for media briefings which will be announced ahead of the time.