Tomorrow is Mandela Day and we hope you will join us in celebrating and honour the legacy of our former patron
Blog by Jack Tannock, Media Volunteer
It is now more than 7 months since Nelson Mandela, the father of modern, democratic South Africa, passed away after a long and truly historic life.
We are, of course, still saddened by his passing but tomorrow we have a chance to celebrate his life and his contribution to humanity.
Nelson Mandela was a patron of Scottish Refugee Council. We were extremely proud to have his support and we hope to continue to honour his mighty legacy.
We hope that you will join us in celebrating the day at the exceptional events taking place across Scotland:
Events around Glasgow
Scotland and in particular Glasgow, had a great connection with Nelson Mandela. Or perhaps we should say that Nelson Mandela had a great connection with us. Glasgow was, as many of you already know, the first city in the world to grant Mandela freedom of the city in 1981, while he was still imprisoned by the apartheid regime. So it will be with a special interest and a keen sense of history that Glasgow will host so many great events for Mandela day:
Nelson Mandela International Day Celebration
Taking place from 8pm at Kelvingrove Art Gallery.
The headline artist is legendary South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela, but there will be various other acts such as Complete Complete, a fantastic new vocal sensation from Johannesburg, who are playing their first-ever Scottish show, and award-winning Jazz harmonica and keyboard player Adam Glasser as well as the Mzansi Youth Choir from South Africa and others artists from Scotland and South Africa. Tickets are £16 each (including booking fee). Find out more.
Mandela Day with Fantasma & Auntie Flo
From 10pm until 3am at The Arches on Argyle St.
This is a unique club event to be hosted by The Arches with Fantasma from South Africa and Auntie Flo of Highlife. A night out at the Arches is always a good one, and this special Mandela Day event should be no different. Fantasma combines the talents of Johannesburg-born rapper and producer Spoek Mathambo with other South African artists. In 2012, he was named Best African Act at the MOBO Awards. Auntie Flo is one of the UK’s foremost DJs championing African and global electronic sounds. His 2012 album Future Rhythm Machine earned him a shortlist nomination for the Scottish Album of the Year Award. Tickets cost £5.50 including booking fee. Find out more.
Mandela Celebrations at The Hidden Gardens
On Saturday 19 July from 12 noon until 4pm. Taking place at 25a Albert Drive (just behind Tramway Theatre).
This event is open for all the family – a great day out for the kids during the holidays. There will be many activities available such as African folk tales and group singing and a singing workshop. There will be locally prepared food and face-painting with a Commonwealth theme. Tour of the garden itself and a plant sale as well as children’s arts and crafts, tai chi, parachute games; an assault course and an up-cycling challenge. All topped off with performances by Govanhill Youth Project.
On top of that it is a chance for people to find out about volunteering opportunities in their local community. Find out more.
Events around Scotland
It goes without out saying that Glasgow doesn’t have a monopoly on Mandela’s legacy in Scotland and the rest of the country is certainly getting in on the action:
Jabulani Project Annual Mandela Day Celebration
7:30pm Columcille Centre, 2 Newbattle Terrace, Edinburgh Napier University Morningside Campus.
The Jabulani Project in Edinburgh is holding its annual Mandela Day celebration. An evening of song, dance and food with an open mic session. Doors open 7.30 pm, food served 8.00pm. Last dance 11.30pm. Ticket: Donation on door (£10.00) includes excellent choice of food and drink. Find out more.
Mandela Day Concert at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
8:00 pm Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT
On 18 July Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival opens in the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh with a special program to mark Mandela Day, with Abdullah Ibrahim, Freshlyground and the Mahotella Queens. Tickets cost from £22.50 to £37.50, including booking fee. Find out more.
Fundraising Braai in aid of Community Heart
Sunday 20 July, 12:00 onwards in Dysart in Fife.
On Sunday 20 July at Dysart in Fife from 12 noon onwards there will be a fundraising braai (barbecue) in aid of Community HEART, a charity founded by Nelson Mandela’s colleague Denis Goldberg which funds educational and other development projects in South Africa. There will be South African food, drink and music, and a variety of fund-raising activities. Contact Bob Bruce at cumnorcelt@gmail.com for more information.
