December 15, 2003
By Tshepiso Mogotsi
TO mark a decade of democracy next year, Johannesburg will be giving Nelson Mandela, it's most famous resident, the Freedom of the City.
Council, during a meeting last week, decided to bestow the City's highest honour on the man who has become the face of South Africa's march towards democracy and change.
Said council spokesperson Nthatise Modingoane: "Tata, we associate your name with the city and we thank you for everything you have done for everyone."
It has been suggested that the presentation be held on 11 February, the date Mandela was released from prison after 27 years of incarceration.
However, this date would be confirmed with Mandela, as the City of Johannesburg wanted to make sure he could receive the honour in person.
Two other stalwarts in the battle for liberation have been given the Freedom of the City - Walter Sisulu, who received it in 1997, and Beyers Naude, who was given the honour in 2001.
Plans in the pipeline to celebrate the auspicious event include a mayoral function, a ticker-tape parade through the streets of the city, a Freedom Exhibition, and a boxing spectacular organised by Boxing South Africa to be held at the gym where Mandela, in his youth, used to train.
Another idea to celebrate the event was the setting up of a Johannesburg Freedom Bursary. If approved, the bursary would cover the fees of a three-year course for students at a Johannesburg-based university, like the University of Johannesburg. The bursary would be offered to woman students born on 11 February 1990, the day Mandela walked free.
The City Council also planned to rename the Hillbrow Tower after Mandela, and reopen its viewing deck.
Mandela's famous words, "The struggle is my life", should not be taken lightly, said the City Council. "He is still leading the fight against apartheid with extraordinary vigour and resilience after spending nearly three decades of his life behind bars. He has sacrificed his private life and his youth for his people, and remains South Africa's best loved one," said a statement from the City of Johannesburg.
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