The communication officer of the department, Zimasa Velaphi, says the official handover ceremony will take place in the Majwemasweu township at 10:00.

Mthethwa is expected to be accompanied by the Premier of the Free State, Sisi Ntombela, the MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Limakatso Mahasa and other officials, as he will also launch the 2022 National Reconciliation Month at the house of the late struggle icon.

Velaphi states that the government saw this as a fitting tribute to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who was a symbol of reconciliation. 

The handover comes after the completion of the refurbishment of the historically significant House 802, where the late liberation stalwart was banished by the apartheid government from 1977 to 1985.

Velaphi adds that the government has now restored and refurbished the house, as well as the township's clinic which was set alight in 1987, allegedly in retaliation for car bombings in Johannesburg.

The house and clinic have been converted into interpretive spaces and a multi-purpose centre with an internet hub as part of the government's efforts to remember and honour the late icon. 

ALSO READ: Winnie Mandela town name board vandalised

Residents of Brandfort have previously expressed concern about the large sum of money set aside to rename the town after the former struggle stalwart. This led to an incident where the road sign, that points to the R703 route leading to Winnie Mandela town had been smeared by what appeared to be paint, with some of the letters being scrubbed off. 

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