Johannesburg – Former president Nelson Mandela will be honoured at the start of Wednesday's stage of the Tour de France cycle race in Pau.
The organisers of the France-South Africa Seasons 2012 and 2013, a collaborative cultural programme between SA and France, said on Tuesday they had joined forces with Mandela's family and Tour de France race organisers to honour him on his 94th birthday.
A large five-metre banner reading “Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela” would be held up by children from Pau at the start of the stage.
“On the South African side, we have arranged the banner with the Nelson Mandela family, as well as with SuperSport, which will broadcast the moment live,” said Bongani Tembe, commissioner general of the France-South Africa initiative.
Television coverage would start at 10.55am. – Sapa