Kaizer Chiefs joined millions around the world in celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life when they hosted children from Mofumahadi wa Tshepo Care as part of supporting a call from Nelson Mandela Foundation for people of the world to make difference to their society through the Mandela Day initiative.

The 18 July (Mandela’s birthday) was in 2009 declared by the UN as the Mandela International Day. On the day the world is urged to perform 67 minutes of public service.

Everlyn Mabeleng (79) who accompanied the group of kids expressed her delight following an invitation from the Club for the Home to come spend the day at Chiefs Village, Naturena.

“We are delighted to be here today and you can see how excited the kids are today. It has always been our wish at the Home to bring them here so that they can see their favourite players like Siphiwe Tshabalala, Itumeleng Khune, George Lebese and many others.”

“Since the kids are isolated it is then refreshing for them to spend this day in a different environment. We would like to thank Kaizer Chiefs for the invite. It is also good to see organizations embracing the Mandela Day initiative and I would also like to take this opportunity and wish Madiba many more returns on his 93rd birthday,” added Mabeleng.

Brand & Marketing Coordinator, Thato Matuka had the following to say about the initiative, “Kaizer Chiefs as the biggest sporting brand in the country embraces the concept of Mandela Day.

We are asked to embrace Madiba’s values and honour his legacy through an act of kindness. We then thought of inviting the institution from Mofumahadi wa Tshepo Care Kgabalatsane Village in Pretoria as part of celebrating this day.”

Head Coach Vladimir Vermezovic also embraced the kids who were allowed to watch training and do a kick about on the training pitch, “We always open our arms to the kids.

Children are the leaders of tomorrow and it is always important that we give them love and show them how important they are to the world. It is a joy to welcome them here today to spend time with the rest of the team and Management.”

The kids joined the players for lunch afterwards to close what was a fully rewarding day for them.

Kaizer Chiefs Family would like to wish all the individuals, corporate companies and organizations in the world that are doing their bit to change the world today all the best.

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon had the following to say about the Mandela Day, “Together, the best way we can thank Nelson Mandela for his work is by taking action for others and inspiring change,”