Nelspruit prepares for 100th anniversary

MPUMALANGA’S capital city of Nelspruit, and the neighbouring town of White River, are preparing to celebrate their 100th anniversaries next year. The Mbombela municipality will establish a centenary committee and stakeholder forum to promote and co-ordinate the celebrations. "The council will also ensure that the region maximises the social and economic benefits (of the celebrations)," said municipal spokeswoman Delia Oosthuizen. The celebrations will focus on the history and heritage of the region, achievements over the past 100 years, as well as the last few years of democracy. A gala event will honour pioneers of the past 100 years, while the celebrations will also be used to officially launch the Mgwenya River Greenbelt as a cultural heritage precinct. Various communities will also be encouraged to highlight their own role in the region's development. A public meeting about the celebrations will be held on August 25 at the Nelspruit Civic Centre from 15h00 to 17h00. (African Eye News Service)