JOHANNESBURG, May 10 (Xinhua) -- South African Premier League champions Mamelodi Sundowns will play a soccer friendly with Barcelona to commemorate Nelson Mandela.
This was unveiled by Jeff Radebe, the chairperson of the inter-ministerial committee on the centenary of Nelson Mandela, here on Thursday.
The friendly match will be played at 6pm at Johannesburg's FNB Stadium on May 16, 2018. Radebe said the match is an attempt to do what Mandela championed to unite people across borders.
"The globalisation of the icon Mandela could not have been done better than the soccer exhibition that will be displayed by the two teams, each one of them a drawer of crowds, display of style and consistency but following in Mandela's footsteps of uniting people across regions and continents," said Radebe.
He said those who will watch the matches will join hands and celebrate Mandela's life to bring justice and peace in the world.
Mandela was born in July 18, 1918. Many events have been lined up to commemorate his birthday. Every Friday this year have been termed Madiba Fridays where South Africans are encouraged to contribute to their communities in a positive way. The UN will also hold a sitting in honour of the late South African President.