Issued by: The Constitutional Assembly
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS - The Signing of the new Constitution by President Mandela at an event to mark International Human Rights Day at George Thabe Stadium, Sharpeville, on 10 December 1996.
10:00 All media with valid press cards AND identity documents or passports welcome. Media to meet Niel du Bois at Vereeniging Public Library, adjacent to the Vereeniging Civic Centre, corner of Beaconsfield and Lesley Streets, Vereeniging. Buses will transport media and all VIP guests to and from the Sharpeville Stadium.
12:30 Everyone seated in the stadium, awaiting the arrival of the President and his entourage. Entertainment by jazz great Hugh Masekela and other top musicians.
12:45 President Mandela lays a wreath en route to the stadium. Strict pool arrangements. Photo opportunity. No speeches. No questions. This pool will be in time for the main events at the stadium.
13:00 Programme starts in the stadium. Final details are not available. Chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa will present the Constitution to the President for signing. Speeches. Songs, including the National Anthem.
14:00 Programme ends. Guests and media will be transported back to Vereeniging Civic Centre where President Mandela will unveil a plaque renaming the area Constitution Square. Strict pool arrangements - same pool as for the wreath-laying ceremony.
14:45 +/- President enters the Civic Hall where guests are invited to a cocktail reception. No speeches. Pool media will be allowed in for 10 minutes.
MEDIA POOL
Television 1 SABC TV news, 1 SABC live broadcast, 1 FCA, 1 official. (All crews will be limited to two members each.)
Photographers 2 official, 1 Independent Newspapers, 1 Nasionale Pers, 1 Times Media, 1 Perskor, 1 from independent publications, 1 local community publication.
Journalists 1 SA wire service, 1 FCA wire service, 1 local community publication.
Radio 1 SABC, 1 FCA, 1 community radio station. (Strictly one person per radio team.)
MEDIA NOTES
1. Media in the pool to meet Niel du Bois not later than 10:30 at the Vereeniging Public Library for accreditation and transport by special bus. At the wreath-laying, no roaming will be allowed. The use of own transport will not be allowed. There will be no exceptions to this.
2. The names of the pool media to be forwarded by media groups to Niel du Bois (cell phone 083 375 3984) by not later than Monday, 9 December at 14:00.
3. Scaffolding will be provided for the media in the stadium as well as a roped off area in front of the stage. The media position is between 5 m and 15 m from the stage. No roaming will be allowed outside the demarcated media area. Patchfields will be available for the electronic media.
4. For logistical and accreditation details, contact Niel du Bois (cell phone 083 375 3984 or 82 557 9221). Constitutional assembly, phone (021) 24-5031 or 083 305 9644.