Former president Nelson Mandela officially opened the new bridge in Johannesburg named for him on Sunday morning.
Sporting a Blue IQ track suit top and accompanied by his wife, Graca Machel, as well as President Thabo Mbeki, Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa, Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo and several Cabinet ministers, Madiba cut the ribbon in the last ceremony of his weekend-long 85th birthday celebrations.
Mandela thanked the Gauteng provincial government for honouring him by named the bridge for him, but said it was also a symbol of everybody who had fought to free South Africa of apartheid.
”I feel very humble indeed,” Mandela said.
”There were many members of the ANC who had suffered more than I did.”
Shilowa gave Mandela a miniature model of the bridge as a birthday present.
”Tata (father) Madiba, everybody will look at the skyline of our city and see the bridge,” the premier said.
”We want you to look at this model every morning. Happy birthday.”
To loud cheers and the singing of Happy Birthday the former president cut the ribbon.
President Mbeki jokingly said that two things had to be done. Firstly Madiba had to open the bridge and secondly he had to run, to lead the almost 12 000 runners who took part in a half-marathon.
Mbeki thanked the provincial government for rebuilding Johannesburg and said he was glad that they had decided to name the bridge after Mandela.
He said the bridge was a symbol of the closing of divisions in the nation.
”We must stand together as one nation,” he said.
Shilowa said the provincial government wanted to make Gauteng the Mecca of culture in the country. He said the past week had been an important one for Gauteng, as it was the hub of Mandela’s birthday celebrations.
Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo said that everybody in Johannesburg was grateful to Madiba for allowing his name to be given to the bridge.
After the cutting of the ribbon Mandela was driven across the bridge, while Mbeki and his ministers crossed it on foot from the Newtown side to Braamfontein.
Eighty-five homing pigeons were released on the bridge, while the same number were released from Soweto.
Athletes who had lined up for the half-marathon and a 10km race surged passed the starting line before the gun had been fired and nearly caused a stampede.
Security personnel had their hands full to protect the guests of honour from being run over.
Sporting banners and placards wishing Madiba a happy birthday, young and old took to the road to celebrate in their own way.
Many stopped when they passed Mandela’s car to get a glimpse of the country’s favourite grandfather. – Sapa