SC celebrates South Africa’s Heritage Day with Nelson Mandela’s grandson

Doha: The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) joined Qatar’s South African community to celebrate Heritage Day in the presence of Chief Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, who served as South Africa’s President from 1994 to 1999.

As part of the SC’s ongoing commitment to support and engage with local communities, Mead Al Emadi, Community Engagement Manager, Samantha Sifah, Head of Community Outreach, and Aneesh Gangadharan, Community Outreach Specialist, welcomed Chief Mandla to Al Bidda Tower for a tour of the Legacy Pavilion.

Chief Mandla, a politician who is a member of the African National Congress, was joined by members of the local South African community to receive a first-hand look at Qatar’s progress on the road to hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the Arab world and find out details of the SC’s legacy programmes.

After the Legacy Pavilion tour, Chief Mandla wished Qatar every success for the years ahead and urged the South African community to play their part in delivering a successful event.

He said: “I hope that as you live your days here in Qatar, looking forward to 2022 and hosting a wonderful World Cup, you will indeed fly the South African flag because my grandfather Madiba – Nelson Mandela – would love that.”

Heritage Day takes place annually on 24 September and is a celebration of South Africa’s cultural diversity and traditions. After the Legacy Pavilion visit, the celebrations continued at Doha Golf Club, where Al Emadi addressed Chief Mandla and other attendees.

Al Emadi said: “Yours was the first World Cup to be hosted in Africa and ours will be the first in the Arab region. As you went on to host a historic and memorable tournament, we too hope to redefine the narrative and showcase our rich heritage to the world.”

Al Emadi thanked guests for their support and contribution, and reserved special thanks to SC employee Bradley Habana – an active member of the South African community – for keeping them informed and engaged with Qatar 2022.

After the event, Sifah said it was important to engage with different community groups in Qatar.

“As well as celebrating South African heritage and cultural practices, the event gave us the opportunity to recognise and personally thank community members who have gone above and beyond to support and contribute to the SC’s work,” said Sifah.

“We regularly attend the national day celebrations of communities we signed Memorandum of Understanding agreements with. It gives us the opportunity to engage with, and speak directly to, members of the community about our on-going work towards the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”