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Dennis R. W. Mc Comie Director of Public Information and Communication, Office of the Prime Minister and Executive Member of the Mandela Committee Editor and producer of the Commemorative Souvenir Brochure

CoMMeMoration of nelson rolilahla Mandela’s life and Work, 13–18 July 2014 the Prime Minister must be commended for her determination to honour Mandela with the recognition he deserves in a way that can only unite and uplift the diverse peoples of our beloved Republic of trinidad and tobago. the booklet attempts to encapsulate the myriad events that will mark the week of national observance. For example, the National Poster Competition for nationals 16 years and younger, ‘Madiba... A tribute to Nelson Mandela’, “a concert experience”, scheduled to take place on 14 July 2014 at the Lord Kitchener Auditorium, the National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port of Spain, an evening’s entertainment - ‘Calypso throughout the Years’ - at Naparima bowl on 17 July 2014, and a day of cultural activities at the brian Lara Promenade on 18 July 2014.

The idea to commemorate the life and work of Nelson Rolilahla Mandela was the fruit of Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-bissessar’s reflections upon her return from attending his memorial service in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 10 December 2014.

Following a Cabinet decision, taken on 27 February 2014, the mandate was given immediately to the Ministry of Diversity and Social Integration under the Chairmanship of the honourable Dr. Rodger Samuel to spearhead the conception and planning of the National Observance that was projected for the 96th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, 18 July 2014.

An executive committee was appointed and given the responsibility of developing and coordinating a programme of activities for the period 13 - 18 July 2014 that would pay fitting tribute to the life and work of Mandela. It is unprecedented. trinidad and tobago is the only country on the planet that has planned a week of commemorative activities. the rest of the world will follow the lead of the United Nations general Assembly and honour Mandela’s “contribution to humanity” on the anniversary of his birth, 18 July 2014.

Varied activities were considered, approved, and implemented by the committee that comprised a cross-section of representatives from governmental Ministries, including the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism, the National Museum, the National Library, and the Office of the Prime Minister of trinidad and tobago. this commemorative booklet, with an initial printing of 500 copies, will be distributed without charge to members of the diplomatic corps and distinguished citizens of trinidad and tobago.

Among the decisions taken, it was agreed to commission a 7000 word article entitled, Mandela, Evolution of a World Icon the writer, Adrian Pinheiro, had initially taken the approach that a linear biographical study be made of Nelson Mandela’s life. however, after discussions with Dennis McComie, the producer and editor of the commemorative booklet, and exposure to trinidad and tobago media coverage of the ongoing and unhappy events in the lives of the nation’s youth, a revised and more particular focus suggested itself.

It seemed appropriate, even expedient, to magnify the years of Mandela’s childhood in such a way that the exposure to the varied facets of his courageous life might set an example for our young people, in particular, to emulate the qualities of personality and character that led a fairly ordinary youth to overcome the limitations of his background and environment through conviction, compassion, and service to his community to become the man revered throughout the world by people of every stripe; from Stephen harper, Prime Minister of Canada, at one end of the spectrum, to Oprah Winfrey, a force for unity among diverse peoples, at the other end of the spectrum.

I conclude with sincere thanks to our beloved Kamla Persad-bissessar, S.C. M.P., Prime Minister of trinidad and tobago, without whose stimulus and encouragement this special week of commemorative activities would not have been realised.

MANY C ULt URES, O NE N At ION: the arrival of democracy, freedom and reconciliation.

‘’The time of the healing of the wounds has come The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come The time to build is upon us’’.