Inside Politics Reporter
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the government will allocate funds to assist to restore the derelict home of the first post-apartheid President of South Africa Nelson Mandela in Houghton, Johannesburg.
Delivering his State of the Province Address on Monday evening, Lesufi said: To see the house of our founding President Mandela in that state was not only embarrassing, but it was hurtful. We have resolved, notwithstanding the family differences, to intervene and restore this house to its original beauty, we owe it to Tata Mandela.”
Lesufi said the government will also meet with role players in the arts and culture sector next month and used the SOPA to pay homage to a number of giants in the creative industry who lost their lives including the late Mbongeni Ngema.
“Mr Ngema was one of the icons of the South African creative industry. We applaud the manner in which he understood the relationship of art and its social context,” he said, adding that in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the performing arts, the government will launch the annual Mbongeni Ngema Lecture.
The lecture will be held in partnership with the Market Theatre, and the National Department of Sports, Arts, Culture. Following consultation with his family, the sector and the community, we will name the soon-to-be-built Daveyton Hospital after this icon.
INSIDE POLITICS
