Johannesburg (MaraviPost) — Wife to former South African President Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel, has gotten back to work more than six months since she downed tools following the death of Africa’s most celebrated leadership icon.
Machel is an active global campaigner of women and children’s rights, and head of the Graca Machel Trust.
“In December 2013, Madiba passed on and South Africa lost its father of democracy and leader, and the world lost an internationally respected icon. I lost my best friend, beloved husband, and guide,” Machel said in a statement issued last Friday.
She said she wishes to work towards building the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
“Children were very dear to Madiba and his last wish was to build the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. This is my dream too and I wish it can be realised in my life time,” she said.
She added: “My other priority is to continue to advocate for an expanded space for women in Africa to access better opportunities in economic, political and social spheres. I will work with others to protect the rights of children, fight for an end to child marriage, ensure we continue to make progress on child survival and development, as well as promote the attainment of quality education for all children. As part of my democracy and good governance work across the African continent and internationally, I look forward to helping shape the new global development agenda.”
According to the press release, which Maravi Post has a copy, Machel in her role as the Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health and African Ambassador for A Promise Renewed at the third Partner’s Forum, Mrs Machel will welcome over 1 000 international delegates on Monday, 30 June, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“The Partners’ Forum is co-hosted by the Government of South Africa and will focus on progress made in women’s, children’s and newborn´s health and the post 2015 development agenda,” explained the statement.
It added: “While Mrs Machel’s has officially come out of mourning, she continues to grieve the passing of President Mandela and will issue no further statements or accept interviews with regards to her private and family life.”
