Bay residents join hands, step together in celebration

SOME Nelson Mandela Bay residents celebrated Freedom Day a little differently yesterday when they tried to break three world records at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele.

About 1 000 people at the event, organised by the City of Champions and the municipality, participated in a group Macarena dance, a bus dance and an attempt to become the largest group of people with clasped wrists.

They sang the national anthem as they attempted to set the records.

City of Champions initiative leader Maz- izi Msuthu said: “We are celebrating 21 years of freedom and should not forget the values instilled in us by late statesman Nelson Mandela. He left us with one thing that matters most, his name.

“Today, we remind ourselves of one of his values – unity. We attempted to break three world records. In our opinion, with the 1 175 people who participated, we have beaten the minimum requirements,” Msuthu said.

The event was also attended by mayor Ben Fihla and sport, recreation, arts and culture executive director Noxolo Nqwazi.

Fihla said: “Nelson Mandela wanted unity in diversity and today we are fulfilling his wishes. Unity in all sectors of society should be important to the people.

“Recently, the country has experienced xenophobia, but we are saying it should not come to our province.”

Archbishop Zandisile Magxwalisa, chairman of the Nelson Mandela Bay Council of Churches, said Freedom Day was important to churches.

“Churches were part of the struggle fighting for this country’s freedom,” he said.

“Today, we have to remember the heroes who worked for this freedom and who also sacrificed their lives.

“People need to unite, especially during this time of xenophobic attacks.

“Nelson Mandela showed us unity in diversity and our job is to champion that,” Magxwalisa said.