Armed with a crudely wrapped portfolio and several gifts, Wellington Nyawo arrived at Luthuli House in Joburg on Monday afternoon, ready to present his offering to former president Nelson Mandela on his birthday.
He is a Madiba fanatic, and has spent months gathering news clippings, birthday wishes, musical tributes and even letters from government departments in Mpumalanga, all for a chance to have his care package delivered to the Mandela household.
“I was born just one day and 60 years after (Mandela), and I’ve always found him to be an inspiration,” said Nyawo, ready to enter Luthuli House to drop off his gift.
Nyawo, an artist and Zimbabwean immigrant who has lived in Nelspruit since 2008, believes Madiba’s messages of charity and respect should be remembered to help quell the flames of xenophobia.
“It’s why I wrote this poem for him,” he said, proudly holding up a framed, signed copy of the birthday tribute.
“We cherish your life and existence, events, courage, love and hard work. We shall forever extract lessons from your life,” it reads.
Nyawo is one of dozens of artists who sent their art with the Zimbabwean to Joburg on Monday. And as he clutched the large portfolio holding their work, he realised that he represented the whole Nelspruit art community.
“They’ll all be doing their 67 minutes of service for Madiba… but I’m using my whole day to deliver (their) message,” he said.
Nyawo managed to get sponsorship from several companies in the Mpumalanga town allowing him to make the trip to Joburg.
After dropping off his package, Nyawo said he was confident it would make its way to the father of the nation. Now he returns to Mpumalanga, hoping it will be held in the hands of his hero. - The Star