The SAPS and the Chineses Community Policing Forum (CPF) in the Northern Cape celebrated Mandela Day in the ZF Mgcawu cluster on Friday, 12 October 2018. The Provincial Commissioner , Lieutenant General Risimati Shivuri accompanied by Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing , Major General Phiwe Mnguni , Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Koliswa Otola , the ZF Mgcawu Cluster Commander, Major General Kollie Matthys and the Chinese Delegation including the Director General of the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town, Ms Wang Yihan , the Consulate of the Chinese Police, Mr Yu Yuan and Mr Ming Lu of the Chinese community in Upington visited needy and underpriviliged communities in Rosedale and Louisevale in celebration of Mandela Day.
The delegation started their Mandela Day celebrations with a visit to the Sahara Strauss Clinic in Rosedale where the Operations Manager of the facility, Sister Radford took them on a guided tour through the clinic where they handed over food hampers to TB patients.
The delegation then proceeded to the Piet Thole Community Hall in Rosedale where identified needy families and community members converged to receive their food hampers and clothing parcels from the delegation.
The ZF Mgcawu Cluster CPF Chairperson, Mr Isaks indicated that although Mandela Day is celebrated during July every year, the local CPF and the Northern Cape Provincial CPF board in conjunction with the Chinese CPF decided to celebrate it in October. He indicated that even in death, Neslon Mandela’s name is even more powerful. And after 1994 we were able to forge partnerships with the Chinese people. So Mandela day should be celebrated everyday.
During her address, Ms Wang Yihan indicated that the Northern Cape Chinese Community in conjunction with the Community Policing Forum (CPF) decided to host this event. She also stated that the celebration was two fold, that it marked the 100th birthday of Mandela and the 28th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between South Africa and the Peoples Republic of China.
The Chinese Community decided to give back to the local community because they are the people who support their businesses in these areas. The Chinese CPF was also represented by members from Hartswater, Galeshewe , Kimberley and Upington. The Executive members of the Northern Cape Community Police Board directed the programme of the day.
200 Elderley persons (100 in Rosedale and 100 Louisevale ) received food hampers and clothing parcels donated by the Chinese CPF.
Lieutenant General Risimati Shivuri quoted Nelson Mandela, “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity, it is an act of justice”. With these words he indicate that people from different backgrounds come together to make a difference in the lives of people. He also reflected on Mandela’s long walk to freedom.
The SAPS is there to look after the safety of our people and we must share ideas with other communities living in South Africa so that we can ensure the safety and security of all those living in SA.
The same programme was also hosted at the Louisevale Community Hall.
The audiences at both venues where entertained by the SAPS provincial band who had the community on their feet. In attendance were also Provincial Heads, Station Commanders from the ZF Mgcawu cluster and local councillors from the respective wards.
SAPS Northern Cape and Chinese CPF celebrates Mandela Day in October https://t.co/i3mERT9dHW #ArriveAlive #MandelaDay @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/tHazjLZH0k
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 15, 2018