If you were at the Silverbird Galleria last weekend, you will marvel at the beautiful rendition of both the Nigerian and South African national anthems.
With traditional gung, drums and acrobatic dance steps, Art Kingdom, a cultural troupe, performed the anthems to the delight of the dignitaries at the event and even visitors at the galleria who could not resist the stage performance and melodious rhythm.
While the guests were still captured in the euphoria of the dramatized national anthem rendition, a young man took the microphone and shouted: “Madiba lives on”. It was then it dawn on people around that it was July 18; late Nelson Mandela’s birthday, and his countrymen, Nigerians, and other nationals in the country were celebrating him, even at death.
Of course, having spent 67 years of his active life in prison for fighting for the freedom of his people, the late former president of South African president left behind legacies that are worth celebrating and sustaining. That was the rationale for the celebration, especially as the United Nations officially declared July 18 of every year as Nelson Mandela International Day since November 2009.
With that in mind, the South African community in Nigeria and their friends led by Mokgethi Sam Monaisa, South Africa Consul General in Nigeria, rolled out the drums once again at the celebration of Mandela’s birthday on July 18, 2015.
The key message echoed and reechoed by speakers at the event was ‘67 minutes for Mandela’. They were all asking every participant at the event and elsewhere in the world to give just 67 minutes of their lives to doing things that would positively impact the world, or rather 67 minutes of sacrifice to better humanity.
Beyond the cultural performances, another highlight of the celebration was a paper delivered by Newton Jibunor, founder, Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE).
In his paper presentation titled: “What can I do to make everyday a Mandela day”, Jibunor said the expected change and action towards making everyday a ‘Mandela Day’ can start with building relations, reconciliations and partnering to make our world a peaceful one, especially among African countries.
Jibunor further noted that part of his efforts as sustaining Mandela’s legacies and making everyday a Mandela Day was the establishment of a Mandela Park in Asaba, close to the airport.
While construction is ongoing at the park, Jibunor said the park would complement others of its like in London, South Africa among other countries.
Later, Tabise, a South African female vocalist, furthered the call for selfless service to mankind with her performance that highlighted Mandela’s virtues. These were amidst light refreshment, especially wines, beer and other drinks from South Africa.
After feting his guests with good wine, thrilling performances and paper presentation, Monaisa explained that Nelson Mandela International Day celebrates Mandela’s values, dedication to the service of humanity and contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.
The celebration, according to the ambassador, aims to serve as a global call to action for people to recognise their individual power to make an imprint and help change the world around them for the better.
As part of the events marking the celebration in Nigeria, the South African community in Nigeria led by the country’s embassy visited a less privilege home in Lagos where they spent 67 minutes rendering humanitarian services to the inmates amidst donations.
The event continued with a VIP Wine Tasting at Federal Palace Hotel & Casino in Victoria Island, Lagos, where top South African wine makers presented samples of their finest brews for the discerning guests, including VIPs, Nigerian businessmen, hoteliers among others to taste.
But even while tasting the wines, the host kept echoing Mandela’s virtues to the guests, who in line, tasted the wines modestly.
OBINNA EMELIKE
