:: Mandela grandson coming to Australia

By: Carmine Pascuzzi

His Royal Highness Chief Mandlesizwe Zwelivelile Mandela, eldest grandson (32) of Nelson Mandela, Chief of the Xhosa Tribe in South Africa and Rhodes Politics Graduate, will be the Honorary Keynote Speaker at the official Australian celebration of Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday .

The celebratory dinner will be held on Saturday, July 26 at the Amora Hotel Jamison, Sydney and will raise funds for the not-for-profit organisation, MaAfrika Tikkun Australia - of which Nelson Mandela is the Patron in Chief - and which is the only Mandela represented organisation in this country.

MC for the evening is Geraldine Doogue and entertainment will include Aria Hall of Fame Inductee Richard Clapton, plus Christine Anu, Deni Hines, Justine Bradley and acclaimed indigenous and world musicians.

Prominent Australian identities will also be in attendance, including South African High Commissioner His Excellency Anthony Mongalo and Elle McPherson will be addressing guests via video link-up.

An official portrait of Nelson Mandela painted by MaAfrika Tikkun Australian Ambassador and Hunter Valley based artist Greg Wilson, will be auctioned on the night. Other live auction items include significant international artworks, never released David Moore photographs of Nelson Mandela and a 5 star South African safari holiday courtesy of SA Tourism and Qantas.

Nelson Mandela is the Patron in Chief of MaAfrika Tikkun (which means 'Transformation of Mother Africa), established in 1994. “The Tikkun projects demonstrate in a practical and sustainable manner what can be done by limited resources, great commitment and passion”, says Nelson Mandela. “The challenge to reach all the disadvantaged people of South Africa remains a paramount one. We need all the resources, both human and financial to address these challenging tasks. It is my belief that Tikkun represents the best of what civil society can offer in partnership with Government's considerable effort.”

MaAfrika Tikkun's mission is to empower disadvantaged communities in South Africa to transform their lives. This is achieved through focus on orphaned and vulnerable children, youth and the elderly in poverty-stricken townships.

A documentary being filmed in Australia, for gifting to Nelson Mandela by Australian High Commissioner in South Africa, Mr Philip Green OAM, includes high profile and non high profile Australians from all sectors of the community being interviewed and paying tribute to Nelson Mandela - and filming will conclude at the event on July 26.