In proud collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, SHOUT, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Brand SA and Proudly South African, the day was marked with several hundred excited locals who sang in unity and honour of Madiba's 94th birthday and his legacy of active citizenship.
Over 2,000 people converged on Nelson Mandela Square for the recording. Scores of people arrived in their South African colours, waving the flag and showcasing how Madiba has always been able to unify the nation. A rainbow nation of voices echoed across the square and beyond with musician Danny K from SHOUT leading the crowd into song. Radio personalities Jeremy Mansfield and Aki Anastasiou entertained the masses with their own renditions of the song in jest and celebration.
South Africans from all walks of life, including police and JMPD officials, the Talk Radio 702 OUTsurance Pointsmen, the ABSA and SAMRO choirs, Proudly South African Staff, Homecoming Revolution, staff from SABRIC and AON South Africa, children of all ages and a group of senior citizens were also among the singing voices.
"The video recording will be released virally on 18 June, a month before Madiba's birthday, to create excitement and to rally the nation to sing Happy Birthday at 8am on Mandela Day," said Lead SA activist, Yusuf Abramjee. "We want to thank each and every South African for taking up the call to action and adding their voices and faces to this recording. It was a memorable moment," he added.
Lead SA announced that the initiative will also be calling on countries around the world to participate in singing Happy Birthday to Mandela on 18 July. The initiative aims to get 94 and more countries on board.
