Hollywood comes to Wellington
2010-07-22
Lise Beyers
CHILDREN of New Rest in Wellington were overwhelmed on Saturday when well-known Hollywood actor, Morgan Freeman, paid them a surprise visit. Freeman was accompanied by various local celebrities, as well as Lori McCreary, the producer of his recent blockbuster movie, Invictus, during a six day long road-trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town to spread the word about Nelson Mandela Day. Freeman portrayed Mandela in the movie. Amongst the other celebrities on the trip were radio personality Jeremy Mansfield, actors Darren Kelfkens, Ivan Zimmerman, Jack Devnarain and popular musician, Bok van Blerk. Most of the celebrities travelled on motor bikes, but Freeman preferred the back seat of a motor car. Apart from travelling through South Africa spreading the goodwill of Nelson Mandela Day, the group stopped off at various charity organisations in the towns through which they travelled, lending a helping hand in uplifting needy communities. The group identified the Khanya Community Centre in New Rest as an establishment where they wanted to spend 67 minutes of their time with the children. Khanya focuses on families affected by HIV/Aids and extreme poverty and runs a day-care centre for nearly 90 children, as well as offering a daily soup kitchen to the community. Learners are also encouraged and sponsored to further their education. Freeman and a group of the bikers spent their time chopping vegetables for soup, while others took time playing football with the youngsters. “It is a great privilege to have experienced the beauty of your fine country,” said Freeman, who evidently had enjoyed the road-trip. He added that Mandela Day should not just be an annual event, but that the community should concentrate on uplifting less fortunate members of the communities every day.
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