The ReSURGEnce delegation from the United States of America (USA), led by Reverend Dennis Anthony Dillon, traced the footsteps of former president Nelson Mandela at Ohlange High School in Inanda, north of Durban, on Thursday, July 18.

Reverend Dillon is an American minister, journalist, publisher, and community activist. He is the founder and president of The New York Christian Times and lead pastor at Brooklyn’s Rise Church New York. He is the co-convener for The DOOR of Our Return and is part of the American delegation for the ReSURGEnce Conference 2024.

The delegation participated in Mandela Day, which is commemorated annually on the late former president’s birthday, July 18.

They did this by visiting the Ohlange High School where Mr Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa, cast his first vote on April 27, 1994. This signalled the ushering in of a new democratic dispensation, said eThekwini Municipality communications spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana.

“As the world observes Mandela Day, which is signified by spending 67 minutes paying it forward by giving back to the community, the American delegation took time to motivate the school’s learners as well as hand over donations of clothes,” said Ms Sisilana.

“They also cleaned and painted some blocks of the school before heading back to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) for the ReSURGEnce Conference 2024 that is currently under way in Durban.”

The delegation was hosted by eThekwini deputy mayor Zandile Myeni, chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee Thembo Ntuli, eThekwini City manager Musa Mbhele, senior managers, and Durban Tourism officials for the Mandela Day event.

The delegation also enjoyed some sightseeing as they travelled via rickshaw to Inanda. They had the opportunity to discover more about the city and its history as well as learn about Mr Mandela and Dr John Langalibalele Dube’s legacies.

Ohlange High School pupils enjoyed celebrating Mandela Day.

Reverend Dennis Anthony Dillon, left, and chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee, Thembo Ntuli did their bit for Mandela Day when they painted some blocks at Ohlange High School. Pictures: SUPPLIED

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US delegation mark Mandela Day at Ohlange High School