To recognise this, organiser Matchworld has collaborated with Africa Rising and Manchester City to get the world to understand the concept "67 minutes for Madiba", the ethical framework being "Service to one's fellow human".
Representing Manchester City at the launch was Patrick Vieira, football development executive of Manchester City Football Club. Vieira had an illustrious career at AC Milan, Juventus, Arsenal and Manchester City before moving in to an executive role at City on his retirement. He has won nine league titles and five FA Cups. He also represented his country, France, 107 times and won the 1998 FIFA World Cup when he received France's highest award, the Legion d'Honneur in 1998.
South Africa is one of my favourite countries," said Vieira. "I spent a lot of time here during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was thrilled when Manchester City tasked me to come over and launch the South African leg of our forthcoming tour. Mandela is one of my heroes and to be part of Mandela Day will be an honour."
The South African "Football Invitational in support of Mandela Day" kicked-off in the same period last year when Manchester United played Amazulu. "We are pleased that Manchester City has included South Africa in their pre-season tour and help us promote Mandela Day. We are continuing from where we left off last year and give all South Africans a chance to see another great team in action," said Lyndon Barends, executive chairman of Matchworld.
Games will take place on 14 and 18 July against South African PSL teams still to be finalised. Tickets, like last year, will be priced between R150 and R350 and will be on sale at Computicket at the end of May.
