A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 519 CDI Panel Van has been converted into a mobile museum for the Nelson Mandela Museum, based in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Making the announcement in a statement released on Tuesday, MB South Africa said the vehicle had been ready to be used by the institution from 18 July, a date widely recognized the world over as Nelson Mandela Day.
Mandela Day is a global call for individuals and responsible corporate citizens – such as Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa – to follow in the footsteps of Rolihlahla. Madiba devoted his life to serving his fellow humans and always considered the needs of others before his
It was this same spirit that led to the establishment of the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha, an institution that is part of a portfolio of legacy projects that seek to transform the heritage landscape, especially in Mandela’s hometown.
“Mercedes-Benz South Africa has long been associated with South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela,” it states. “It was a specially built red Mercedes-Benz S-Class that Madiba was driven in, after he was released from prison, in 1990.
“More than two decades later, Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa is continuing to honour his greatest legacy: lending a hand to the underprivileged people of South Africa.”
Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa was quoted to have expressed a delight in continuing the legacy of Nelson Mandela, in his birthday month.
“What better way to do this than by assisting underprivileged communities of the Eastern Cape and surrounding areas to gain access to the exemplary icon that was Tata Madiba,” said Nadia Trimmel, Vice-President of Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa,” it added.
The 5.5-ton Extra-Long Sprinter is earmarked to assist the Nelson Mandela Museum in fulfilling a vision for Madiba’s legacy to be a living and mobile museum that embraces development and inspires people through education, culture and tourism.
“#ThatSprinterSpirit describes just how adaptable and customizable the entire Sprinter range is, ensuring it can be 100% anything and everything, to everyone. As a complete transport and mobility solution, the Sprinter is known for being flexible, robust and economical. Increased safety levels and innovative features ensure that the Sprinter backs its claim of 100% For You. This perfectly meets the needs of sectors such as taxi, tourism, service, logistics and other specialty conversions such as mobile homes and – in the case of the Nelson Mandela Museum – a mobile museum,” noted Trimmel.
One of the barriers for the museum carrying out its mission has been accessibility. A large part of the region has not been exposed to the museum for various reasons, and this necessitated a mobile solution.
“The Sprinter will improve the reach of the museum’s educational programmes and increase accessibility to various communities, especially those in far-flung areas of the Eastern Cape. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be used to narrate the legacy of Mandela to those who need to be inspired most,” said Bonke Tyhulu, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Museum.
The devastating impact of Covid-19 has also further highlighted the need for the Nelson Mandela Museum to initiate mobile educational programmes, allowing the institution to promote the ideals of non-racialism, non-sexism, peace, unity, human rights and democracy, which the nation’s father championed wholeheartedly.
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