While this year may be the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, it is also the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics. An anniversary celebration taking place in Chicago this week, found a way to include South Africa in those celebrations through the Light Up for Inclusion campaign.
About 70 landmarks all over the world will be a part of the Special Olympics’ Light Up for Inclusion initiative. In South Africa, and just two days after Tata’s birthday, the Madiba statue at Sandton’s Nelson Mandela Square will be lit up.
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In attendance will be Special Olympics Chairman, Dr Mathews Phosa as well as Special Olympics ambassadors, Mark Fish, Letshego Zulu, Gin and Soldier boy McLellan, Kim Jayde, Melanie Ramjee, Lil Red and Special Olympics supporter, John Vlismas.
Once the statue is lit up, it will turn red to symbolise unity. In a press release, the organisation said: “the act represents the dawn of the Inclusion Revolution— Special Olympics’ mission to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities (ID) worldwide and create inclusive communities.”