Parliament, Friday, 17 July 2026 – Tomorrow, Saturday 18 July, the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Les Govender, will hand over a computer laboratory to Ysterplaat Primary School in Milnerton, Cape Town, to commemorate International Mandela Day.
Through this symbolic gesture, Mr Govender, seeks to encourage all South Africans to embody the spirit of ubuntu by engaging in daily acts of kindness and community upliftment. The NCOP Deputy Chairperson’s initiative stems from a request from the school, when he adopted it 2024.
On the day set aside to honour the enduring legacy of our founding democratic President, Mr Nelson Mandela, Mr Govender will be accompanied by the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China and the Cape Town HuaXing Arts Group Executives.
This year’s International Mandela Day theme is “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity”.
Former President Mandela remains an unparalleled global icon of peace, forgiveness, compassion, human dignity, human rights and justice for all, after he devoted 27 years of his life to serving humanity. The unanimous decision by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009 resolved to recognise 18 July as International Mandela Day. On this historic day, people worldwide are encouraged to dedicate their time to doing something good for humanity, especially for the poorest of the poor.
DETAILS OF THE HANDOVER:
Date: Saturday 18 July 2026
Time: 12.00–14.00
Venue: Ysterplaat Primary School in Milnerton, Cape Town
Note to media
Media wishing to cover the initiative by the NCOP Deputy Chairperson on Mandela Day should send their details (full name, name of media house, ID or passport number) to Mr Mlindi Mpindi at mmpindi@parliament.gov.za.
Members of the public may follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV (DSTV Channel 408), via the live stream on Parliament’s YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter pages. Please see links below.
You may subscribe to the Parliament YouTube channel to receive instant notification of live feeds.
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/ParliamentofRSA
Facebook: https://facebook.com/ParliamentofRSA
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ParliamentofRSA
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
Arrange a tour