Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton teamed up on Thursday to raise funds for African children with heart problems by offering ”tea with Mandela”.
”When you reach a certain point and you have had your struggles and you have had your successes, all of a sudden the most important thing becomes that no child should die without having had the chance to live his or her dreams and make their own mistakes too,” said former United States president Clinton.
He joined former South African president Mandela for the launch of the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa’s (WSPCCA) ”Priceless Moments” campaign, which hopes to raise an R80-million kitty for the unit at Sunninghill hospital in Johannesburg.
The unit treats children across Africa with heart problems.
Bidders on eBay’s website can, from November 6, bid to have tea with Mandela and Walter Sisulu’s widow, Albertina Sisulu; play soccer with Lucas Radebe and Mark Fish; spend time with swimmer Ryk Neethling; bungee jump with cricketer Shaun Pollock; or brainstorm with businessmen Whitey Basson and Patrice Motsepe.
”We’re doing about 100 operations per annum on the little ones. A new unit has been built and we’re looking at increasing the number of operations … to something like 600 to 800 per annum,” said WSPCCA chairperson Lungi Sisulu, son of Walter and Albertina.
”I was informed that [US golfer] Mr Tiger Woods recently fetched more than $1,3-million [R9,27-million] for a round of golf … I am convinced that tea with Mr Mandela and my mother can exceed this target,” said Sisulu.
Operations each cost about R100 000. Clinton and his wife, Hilary, will pay for two operations.
”Madiba, for your 88th birthday Hilary and I will each give you a child to make hope and history rhyme,” said Clinton.
Mandela’s birthday is on July 18 and Clinton was in South Africa for his 85th and 87th birthdays too. ”I basically always try to show up around Madiba’s birthday,” he said.
WSPCCA founder Dr Robin Kinsley, who has carried out 21Â 000 operations, said all but a few heart defects in children can be corrected. ”The poorest of the poor in the world have to be the sick children of Africa,” said Kinsley.
Mandela and Clinton toured the unit. ”Today we met children from Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Botswana in addition to South Africa. You have given the whole continent a great gift here,” said Clinton. — Sapa