Former president Nelson Mandela will attend an event at Groot Drakenstein jail outside Paarl next Thursday to commemorate his release from prison 20 years ago, Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula said on Friday.
President Jacob Zuma will speak at the event outside the prison, which was formerly known as Victor Verster, Mbalula said.
“We are expecting the Mandela family and Mr Mandela himself to be present,” Mbalula said in Cape Town.
“We are expecting no less than 20 000 to gather around the prison.”
The event would be attended by African National Congress veterans Ahmed Kathrada and Denis Goldberg. Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, would also attend.
A 500m symbolic march would be held at the gathering, which is expected to start at 9am.
After the event, Mandela would attend Zuma’s State of the Nation address in the National Assembly.
“Madiba will be at the State of the Nation address,” Mbalula said.
“We have met with family and discussed everything. Everyone will be there. Grandchildren and veterans and stalwarts of the struggle will also be there.” — Sapa