Posted in News on Jul 15, 2010.
With the Nelson Mandela Day being celebrated the following day, Zibeko's gesture had perfect timing.
Nelson Mandela Day, in its second year, is celebrated each year on 18 July, the day Nelson Mandela was born. The day is an annual celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and a global call to action for people to recognise their individual ability to make an imprint and change in the community.
“I think every day should be a Nelson Mandela Day,” said Zibeko speaking to kaizerchiefs.com on Thursday.
“It is very important in particular for the youth of this country to devote their time in uplifting the communities around them. It might be not the community where you were born directly but kids everywhere around the world need love.
I am inspired by the words of the late preacher and author Norman Vincent Peale when he says, “joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself. In giving it, you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible,”
“I remember when I accepted my responsibility here I made a promise to our Executive Chairman, Mr. Kaizer Motaung, that an opportunity to work here will help me continue to put smiles on those children who come from disadvantaged background and I am delighted the Club has given me an opportunity to do my work with the community,”
I had already been continuing with my work when the Nelson Mandela Foundation introduced the day last year and I did not hesitate in embracing it,” said Zibeko affectionately known in football circles as Trompies.
“I decided to do this event on the Saturday, 17 July this year to allow my friends and everyone who will be attending the event to continue doing the same on Sunday, the Mandela Day.
I am grateful to my friends, celebrities, players who will join me in Pretoria on this day to listen, talk, encourage, and inspire the young ones. There will also be five-a-side games where the children will play a bit of football against some of the personalities and friends,” added Zibeko who first adopted the orphanage with his close friend, Mzoxolo Maki back in March 2008.