Make sure that you bring your whole family to Nelson Mandela Square on 18 July because it is going to rock!
In celebration of Madiba's birthday on 18 July, Nelson Mandela Square will be hosting a FREE 67-minute children's concert hosted by Ed Jordan and accompanied by Veronique Lalouette and the dancing Hippo, who will be singing the best of the Beautiful Creatures numbers; Siyabonga Maqungo and Zuko Cutu, the two fabulous operatic tenors of Duetenori; and The Ridge school's awesome Marimba band.
This FREE 67 minute children's concert is in response to the Nelson Mandela Foundation's request for people - locally and internationally - to contribute 67 minutes of their time on Nelson Mandela's birthday towards a humanitarian cause, celebrating the fact that Nelson Mandela has contributed 67 years of his life to humanitarian causes.
Comments Nelson Mandela Square Manager, Sharon Swain, “We are so excited about this event! Not only because we are celebrating Madiba's life, but because we are bringing children from all walks of life together on the Square for a birthday celebration of their hero through a concert dedicated to them – South Africa's future heroes! With Ed Jordan's Beautiful Creatures we will also be celebrating the best South African children's music perfect for the whole family!”
In addition to the FREE 67 minute concert, face painters; stilt walkers; and balloon artists will be on the square throughout the day to entertain the children. Birthday cards will be available for a small donation for all to pen their special message to Nelson Mandela. The birthday cards can then be posted in a post box on the square and will be delivered to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Nelson Mandela Square will donate all proceeds from the postcard sales to the AlexSan Community Centre in Alexandra honouring the spirit of Mandela Day, which is a global call to action on all people to follow in Mr Mandela's footsteps by doing good in their own communities.
The Nelson Mandela Square 67 minute FREE children's concert links in with a series of special events will take place in New York City involving many of the 46664 global ambassadors from the worlds of entertainment; music; and film building on the work of Madiba, who has been making an imprint on the world for 67 years, beginning in 1942 when he first started to campaign for the human rights of every South African.
President Bill Clinton said: “In return for everything Madiba has taught us, we each owe it to him to support his work and legacy by doing and living our own as best we can, not just on this day, but throughout our entire lives.”
Tim Massey, International Director of 46664, said: “Mandela Day (Madiba's birthday on 18 July) is about creating a movement for positive change and establishing one day to reflect upon, celebrate and manifest the values that guide Nelson Mandela.”
Concludes Swain: “I believe that this FREE children's concert goes some small measure towards positive change; reaching out to our communities; and uniting children and their families. In a fast-paced world where parents and children have limited quality time they need events like these to have fun together! We would also like to thank Caffe Della Salute on Nelson Mandela Square who is joining us in providing a meal for the 80 underprivileged children who we are bringing in from Alexandra to be part of this joyous occasion.”
So come along to the square on 18 July, bring Mom and Dad and all the older brothers and sisters. Everyone will be learning to move to the Madiba Hippo Jive and together will count down to Madiba's birthday!
Children's entertainment starts at 11h00 through to 15h00 and the concert starts at 12h30.
For further information, contact Nelson Mandela Square marketing on 011 217 6000 or go to the website
www.nelsonmandelasquare.com.