Pretoria - Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga on Tuesday led members of his mayoral committee (MMCs) and other municipal senior officials in different activities of charitable work, in commemoration of this year's international Nelson Mandela Day.
The Tshwane activities were held at numerous venues across the city including the Pretoria CBD, Capital Park, Hammanskraal and Mamelodi. He said his first commemorations as mayor were in line with his vision of nurturing a caring capital city.
"This day and it's underpinnings provide an opportunity for each one of us to lend a helping hand to the needy. This day must inform the intention of government. I have been deliberate and vocal in my quest to cultivate a Tshwane that cares about the people it serves, be it in clinics we build or in the bulk infrastructure we install," said Msimanga.
Msimanga said his new administration running Tshwane aims to cultivate a sustainable city upon which poverty can be addressed and to offer a better life while creating jobs and providing basic services.
During the marathon commemoration, Msimanga walked from Capital Park via Paul Kruger Street, into the municipal headquarters Tshwane House, interacting with residents on the streets while highlighting the importance of taking care of the environment and sustainable mobility.
Msimanga also visited Senethemba pre-school in Winterveldt and handed out gifts to the learners and engaged in a clean-up operation. He served social workers tea at Rekgonne Old Age in Hammanskraal and lunch to the elderly at Kukanang Centre for the elderly in Mamelodi.
The commemorative day was concluded with Msimanga hosting councillors and members of the public at Sammy Marks Square, in the Pretoria CBD, for the screening of the Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom movie on a giant screen.
The United Nations declared July 18 International Nelson Mandela Day. Annually, on this day, people across political divides in South Africa and other parts of the world devote 67 minutes doing charitable work. The 67 minutes signify the 67 years Madiba dedicated to the service of others.