Football and rugby organisers in SA launch initiative to honour Mandela

Johannesburg: Football and rugby organisers in South Africa have launched an initiative to honour the role of ailing former President Nelson Mandela in using sport to unite the country. The Nelson Mandela Sports Day, initiated by the Ministry of Sport, will see the Springbok rugby side playing against Argentina and national soccer side Bafana Bafana playing against Burkina Faso at the FNB Stadium here on August 17, a month after Mandela’s 95th birthday. [caption id=“attachment_934463” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AFP[/caption] Mandela remains in a critical but stable condition as he entered his fourth week in a Pretoria hospital for treatment of a recurring lung ailment. Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said that that the proceeds from the day, which would also include a concert after the Springbok’s match, would go towards the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. Mbalula said his department would consider making the Mandela Sports Day an annual event to also include other sports such as cricket and netball. The Sports Day is just one of the many tributes being paid to Mandela across the country by government departments as the nation continues to pray for his health. On Mandela’s birthday on July 18, Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor will officially launch the first smart identification cards to honour Mandela’s legacy. PTI