SITHOLE EXPRESS: December 2013

Friday 20 December 2013

Mandela prayer services

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South Africans will unite in prayer and reflection in honour of former president Nelson Mandela on Sunday. <a href=http://youtube-videos-download.kambasoft.com/ >youtube videos download there</a>

Wish I was there ♥ "@SITHOLEEXPRESS: Paying tribute in style to#Madiba here at #ReginaMundi #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/rjqqHu5Yc9"

11:07 AM - 8 Dec 2013

SABC's Madiba coverage a resounding success

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South Africans and international audiences flocked to SABC News platforms during the passing of Madiba.

SABC News Online saw its site traffic on www.sabc.co.za/news triple on the back of the announcement of President Nelson Mandela's passing with the @SABCNewsOnline Twitter following, registering a massive jump.

According the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) :"The SABC's Digital Newsroom immediately initiated continuous live coverage of developments as they unfolded from day one. The online coverage included video and audio material from the SABC's extensive radio and TV round-the-clock special programming."

The coverage continued until 16 December 2013 when a 9-

Since the passing of Mandela on the 5th of December, the SABC also recorded increase numbers in viewership on its television and radio platforms.

On the night of announcement about Madiba's passing by President Jacob Zuma, the public broadcaster stopped it's normal TV schedule on its three television channels for a period of 48 hours and with its 24 hour news channel and radio dominantly featuring content for Madiba's tribute.

The public broadcaster says: "On the day of the memorial service, the SABC's 24 Hour news channel 404 on DSTV delivered half-hour ratings across the day that amounted to 80 824 viewers, with SABC 2 growing its ratings by 164% on the same day to 1.4 million viewers. SABC 1 remained the most accessible channel for the public throughout this period."

In terms of channel share nationally, the SABC commanded 50.83% of the market share on the day of the memorial, 58.74% during the coverage of the funeral between 07h30-13h00 and a total of 45.92% for the entire final day of mourning.

Over 2000 local and international broadcasters and agencies were supplied a live pool feed of all the related events at no cost from the SABC. The complete radio figures for this period will be available in about three months.

This article first appeared on SABCNews site. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole.

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Mandela’s love story

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Evelyn Mase was the first wife of Mandela. Mase was a South African nurse. She married to Madiba from 1944 to 1958.

Mase was born in Engcobo, in the former Transkei, now Eastern Cape. The pair met in the lounge of the late Walter and Albertina Sisulu, in Soweto. Mandela and Mase had three children Thembi, Makgatho and Makaziwe

Mandela’s second wife was the courageous Nomzamo Madikizela, who stayed with Mandela in Orlando, Soweto.

She arrived in Johannesburg to study to be a social worker, doing her training at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Winnie met Mandela in 1
957.

The two love birds married in the Transkei on 14 June 1958 and later divorced after former statesman was released from Robben Island. They had two daughters, Zenani and Zindzi.

After his divorce with Winnie, Madiba married his third wife, Graca Machel who was married to Mozambican president Samora Machel.

Machel had always been on Madiba’s bedside during his illness at Pretoria Heart Hospital before he died on Thursday.

Image by Reuters

SABC Digital News keeps world abreast on Madiba passing

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Hasina Gori

SABC Digital News Journalist, Hasina Gori says SABC News has been using different platforms to report on the death of former president, Nelson Mandela.

Speaking on Morning Live Thursday morning, Gori says South Africans and people from different parts of the world are keen to get all the latest news about Madiba’s funeral plans.

“People are looking into social media to get information about Madiba's memorial service, how busy it is, when it is happening, can we still get in. People are looking for information on those platforms and SABC News has been using various platforms to make sure that people get the information they need regarding Madiba's death and funeral arrangements.”

Gori says SABC News Online also assists people who are attending different events across the country where tributes for Madiba still continue to pour in. Gori also points out that Mandela is still trending globally.

Mandela’s passing led to an unprecedented digital reaction with Trendsmap reporting 1 700 tweets per second when the news broke, and over 3.4 million tweets for the first 3 hours thereafter.

The hashtag #Mandela trended in 32 countries between 4 December and 9 December, holding the top position in 197 places. #Madiba trended in 29 countries and was in top position in 67 places.

SABC News Online saw its site traffic on www.sabc.co.za/news triple on the back of the announcement of Madiba’s passing with the @SABCNewsOnline Twitter following registering a massive jump.

The number of visits to the SABC News Online Facebook page increased 50-fold and the number of Facebook likes increased 8-fold.

This article first appeared on SABCNews site.

Sunday 15 December 2013

Musicians pay homage to Madiba

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After the news broke that former president Nelson Mandela has passed away, different musicians from around the world paid tribute to the world icon.

Johnny Clegg, who has performed in different concerts for Madiba, paid a special tribute to Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory on 9 December.

Click below to listen to Johnny Clegg as he sings for Mandela.

As South Africa and the world continue to mourn the death of Madiba, singer-songwriter Zahara and people's poet Mzwakhe Mbuli graced mourners with a song of tribute titled “Nelson Mandela”.

The song praises Mandela for the role he played during apartheid leading to the new South Africa. Zahara has performed the song alongside Mbuli in different venues were tributes for Madiba were held .

Mandela is also known for his love for children and in a video titled: “Twinkle twinkle little star”, children sing for Madiba as he dances alongside with them.

The Soweto Gospel Choir also paid homage to Mandela in style in a Woolworths store in Parkview. The choir did a flash mob paying tribute to Madiba while hidden cameras were recording the mob. In the video, a man wearing Woolworths uniform, pretending to be a one of the workers inside the store begins singing a song titled: “Asimbonanga uMandela” (We haven’t seen Mandela) as customers do their early morning shopping.

'Miss You Madiba' is a single by Ed Jordan released as a tribute to him as he is buried in Qunu. Jordan first performed the song on the 9th of December 2013 at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

This article first appeared on SABCNews Site

Thursday 12 December 2013

Constitution Hill lit up for Madiba

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Madiba first came to Constitutiona Hill in 1956.
(Sthembiso Sithole)

Brand South Africa on Wednesday night lit up Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg with South African flag colours in honour of former president Nelson Mandela.

Chairperson of Brand SA, Chichi Maponya described Mandela as a man who had courage to fight for democracy.

Maponya says: “As Brand South Africa, we want to thank Madiba for fighting for human rights, he fought against Apartheid. We are paying tribute to him.”

Maponya, who is the daughter of renowned businessman, Dr Richard Maponya confirmed that her father will attend Madiba’s funeral in Qunu, Eastern Cape.

On their Facebook page Constitutional Hill continues to pay tribute to former statesman.

“Madiba first came to this historical place in 1956 and on 10 December in 1996, the Constitution of South Africa was signed into law by South Africa's then President, the late Nelson Mandela. The final version was symbolically signed in Sharpeville, Vereeniging to coincide with International Human Rights Day. The signing thus represented a move from the horrors of our Apartheid past into an era of transparency and accountability founded upon an unerring respect for human rights.”

Brand South Africa says Constitutional Hill will be lit up until Madiba is buried.

This article appeared on SABCNews site.

Mandela left South Africa with a legacy to be treasured

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Madiba and Luthuli have commonality. (SABC)

Dr Albertina Luthuli says former president Nelson Mandela reminds her of her father Chief Albert Luthuli. She says Mandela has left South Africa and the world with a legacy that needs to be treasured.

Speaking on SA FM Forum@8, Luthuli said Madiba and her father have so much commonality. Mandela was captured as a young liberation fighter on August 5, 1962 near the town of Howick in KwaZulu-Natal.

Click below to listen to Dr Albertina Luthuli

Download episode (MP3 1.1 MB)

In the same programme, Dr. Brigalia Bam recalls a call from Mandela who had asked her to lead 1994 elections. Bam says Madiba never gave her a chance to answer whether she agrees or not.

SAFM current affairs producer and journalist, Bontle Motsoatsoe says her one on one interview with Madiba was an amazing experience.

Click below to listen to Bam
Download episode (MP3 1.8 MB)

This artcle first appeared on SABCNew.

Madiba a true inspiration for education

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Former President Nelson Mandela has been a true inspiration for education throughout the country and the world. Madiba has received many honorary doctorates for his role and contribution in the liberation struggle in South Africa from different universities.

Walden University honours Nelson Mandela

Former South African President Nelson Mandela
smiles after being conferred with an Honorary
Doctorate of Laws at University of Galway, Ireland,
June 20, 2003. (Image by: Reuters)

Nobel Peace Prize winner and former South African president, Nelson Mandela, was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Walden University for his vigorous fight against apartheid.

Walden University President, Jonathan Kaplan said: "Nelson Mandela embodies the potential in each of us to effect positive change, and Walden is proud to present this honorary degree to a legendary leader whose historic accomplishments will continue to inspire future generations."

Kaplan adds:"“Education knows no boundaries, and through Walden’s unique, multinational community, we are creating educational opportunities for people everywhere to advance their lives and the communities they serve."

Harvard University honours Madiba

President Nelson Mandela on receiving and honorary doctorate from Harvard University in Boston on 18 September 1998 expressed gratitude and encouraged the university to continue playing an important role.

“For three hundred years this great institution has served its nation with distinction. We enter the new millennium in the hope that the rich fruits of learning, science and technological progress will in this coming century truly be shared by all in this global village in which we live. We are confident that this institution of which we are now a proud member will play a leading role in achieving that.”

Then TUT President Nelson Mandela receiving
an honorary degree from the
Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria.
Image by UP. (Image by University of Pretoria)

Nelson Mandela was awarded an honorary degree by The University of Nottingham in 1996 in recognition of his leadership in fighting apartheid.

Image by University of Nottingham

Former South African President Nelson Mandela smiling prior to receiving an honorary degree during a ceremony at Ryerson University in Toronto in November 17, 2001. (Image by Ryerson University)

This article first appeared on SABCNews site.

Mandela hailed for his ability to overcome

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Independent policy and political analyst, Professor Somadoda Fikeni has described former President Nelson Mandela as a man who transcended all extraordinary obstacles in life.

Speaking on SA fm Forum@8 on Monday, Fikeni praised Madiba for the role he played in the liberation struggle. He also highlighted the former statesman as a greater leader.

Madiba has been described as
a man of intergrity. (REUTERS)

Fikeni says: “He (Madiba) kept on reminding us that he is no a saint and precisely because he had no insecurities to say that and that makes him greater.”

Click below to listen.

Download episode (MP3 526.6 KB)

In the same programme, former journalist and speaker of parliament during Madiba’s presidential term, Frene Ginwala says Madiba was a man of integrity and South Africans should follow his footsteps.

“Mandela came back (from prison) with same values and determination.”

Click below to listen.

Download episode (MP3 840.1 KB)

Director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy, Rhodes University and the University of Johannesburg, Professor Steven Friedman believes the legacy of Mandela is not understood very well.

Click below to listen.

Download episode (MP3 680.8 KB)

This article first appeared on SABCNews site

National day of prayers, reflection in honour of Madiba

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Activities across the country are being held on Sunday to mark a national day of prayer and reflection in honour of former President Nelson Mandela.

Ninety-five-year-old Mandela passed away on Thursday evening at his Houghton home in Johannesburg after a long illness. He will be laid to rest next Sunday at his home village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape.

A prayer service in honour of Mandela is underway at the Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg. Thousands of people are there - many dressed in African National Congress (ANC) colours.

Picture by Manqoba Nchunu

Amongst those who are attending, are representatives of various religious groupings, traditional leaders and political leaders such as ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, ANC Gauteng chairman Paul Mashatile and provincial secretary David Makhura.

Picture by Horisani Sithole

Earlier hundreds of worshipers at the famous Regina Mundi Church in Soweto dedicated their church service to the selfless spirit of Madiba. Scores of both local and international journalists were also at the church service.

Picture by Sthembiso Sithole

Among the worshipers is the United States ambassador to South Africa Pat Gaspard.

Picture by Sthembiso Sithole

United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa also attended the service.

Picture by Sthembiso Sithole

Outside Mandela’s home, in Houghton, hundreds of people came to pay tribute to Madiba. People were there to lay flowers and candles and comfort each other. This after a night vigil that was held Saturday night.

Picture by Njanji Chauke

This article first appeared on SABCNews site

Madiba celebrated in style

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Soweto Gospel Choir pays
trbute to Madiba. (YouTube)

The Soweto Gospel Choir has paid tribute to former president Nelson Mandela in style in a Woolworths store in Parkview.

The choir did a flash mob paying tribute to Madiba while hidden cameras were recording the mob. In the video, a man wearing Woolworths’s uniform, pretending to be a one of the workers inside the store begins singing a song titled: “Asimbonanga uMandela” (We haven’t seen Mandela) as customers do their early morning
shopping.

Within few seconds the rest of the choir joins him from different shelves in the store.

According to a Woolworths statement: “On 7 December 2013, Woolworths had planned an in store performance at our Parkview store in Pretoria. The plan was to support our 100 Smiles Christmas campaign, with a performance of the Soweto Gospel Choir’s rendition of James' Brown’s I feel Good.”

Woolworths also says: “The Thursday night rehearsal went well but on Friday, the song could not resonate with any of us. Together with the choir, we decided to transform the performance into a Madiba tribute.”

The food and clothing store asked the Soweto Gospel Choir for suggestions and they chose Johnny Clegg’s “Asibonanga” song which was then performed.

Meanwhile, a 63 year old man from East London in the Eastern Cape has bid farewell to former President Nelson Mandela by displaying colourful Christmas lights outside his Beacon Bay home.

The piece of art has an image of Madiba, candles next to him, hands in rainbow colours and two women and Madiba's year of birth and death. It was crafted by Norman Brown who created a similar piece of art during Madiba's birthday in July.

“To Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela a man who gave our people hope, life and joy but most of all he gave them the light to lead their way. My contribution is to light up Mr Nelson Rholihlahla in remembrance of him, of whom he was and what he stood for. A man never forgotten and this makes me emotional.”

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This article first appeared on SABCNews site