Posts Tagged ‘Invictus’
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
In South Africa, rugby – the hooligan’s game played by gentlemen – has traditionally been a sport favored mostly by whites, and the years of apartheid rule reinforced it as a sport not available to “non-whites”. All of that changed when Nelson Mandela stepped onto the field of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final match, smiling and wearing the green and gold jersey of the Springboks, the country’s national rugby team.
This powerful gesture of support, unexpected throughout the racial spectrum of South Africa, served as an act of reconciliation – euphorically uniting South Africans of all races on that day and suggesting a path of tolerance as the country worked on adopting its newly-established democracy.
Fifteen years later, although all eyes are on soccer as South Africa prepares to host the esteemed World Cup 2010 soccer event, this is also rugby season and this month is the prestigious Super 14 tournament. For the semi-final, the Blue Bulls rugby team announced it has chosen Orlando Stadium as its host venue – a stadium in the heart of Soweto, the country’s largest black township. It will be an unusual setting for a predominantly white team and its supporters, but it is being seen by some as a gesture of racial reconciliation.
Francois Pienaar, the Springbok captain whose shirt Mandela wore at the 1995 rugby final, told The Sunday Telegraph: “It is great news, so exciting and proves once again the power of sport in cutting across boundaries and uniting people.”
Tags: apartheid, Invictus, Nelson Mandela, rugby, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, World Cup
Posted in Nelson Mandela, Sports | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
Nelson Mandela pays a surprise visit to the Springbok rugby team's practice session, 1995
Aptly titled, this new documentary (out this week on ESPN) refers to the extra special magic Nelson Mandela provided as an honorary member of the 15-man rugby team in South Africa. If the theme sounds vaguely familiar, you may be thinking of Invictus; Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-nominated film which was released last year, telling the gritty story of how Nelson Mandela and the 1995 Rugby World Cup helped South Africa’s healing process as the country struggled to find its feet in its newly-established democracy.
Even though some of us were in South Africa at the time and actually at that momentous World Cup final match in 1995, watching the celluloid rendition of this powerful political-sporting story 15 years later still induced some hard-to-believe moments. To the uninitiated, it must have seemed such an unlikely story, so perfect that it could only have been fabricated by Hollywood. And yet, the events happened (pretty much) the way Mr Eastwood portrayed it.
The 16th Man documentary is directed by Cliff Bestall and its drier, journalistic tone gives credibility to this tale that might otherwise be dismissed as exaggerated cheesiness straight out of Hollywood. Perhaps more fantastic than the movie Invictus or The 16th Man documentary is the fact that this story happened at all, and how different the outcome may have been for South Africa had it not been for “Madiba” (Nelson Mandela) striding out on to the field that day, in his green and gold Springbok rugby shirt.
“Who would have ever imagined that people would be dancing in the streets in Soweto for a rugby victory of a Springbok side?” asks Bishop Desmond Tutu rhetorically. “But they did!”
Produced by 46664 Bangle supporters, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary, The 16th Man promises to deliver an inspiring story – don’t miss it!
Tags: "Lori McCreary, 46664 Bangle, apartheid, Invictus, Madiba, Morgan Freeman, Nelson Mandela, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, The 16th Man
Posted in Celebrities, Entertainment, Nelson Mandela, Sports | 1 Comment »
Saturday, March 6th, 2010
Gorgeous and Glamorous. Dashing and Debonair. At Hollywood’s most glittering and anticipated evening of the year, the Academy Awards®, there was an extra sparkle on the red carpet tonight. As celebrities showed off their couture outfits, sleek hairstyles and dazzling fashionable accessories, two particular items of jewelry attracted special attention.
The 46664 Bangle bracelet
s worn by Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary caught the eye of many on the red carpet tonight because of their greater significance and meaningful positive impact. The bracelets are beautiful bling, but as they are engraved with Nelson Mandela’s prisoner number 46664, they also represent his humanitarian causes and the noble qualities for which he is adored around the world. The bracelets will be auctioned at a later date to raise money for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Aside from the custom-made bracelets made specially for Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary, the 46664 Bangles are available in platinum, gold, silver and copper. The bracelets are a powerful symbol of hope – creating employment where it’s so badly needed and supporting the 46664 Campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation in the ongoing fight against HIV AIDS.
Anyone can be a superstar and support the 46664 Bangle project by buying their own 46664 Bangle here – all the bracelets bear a digital imprint of Nelson Mandela’s hand, and are being referred to as the “South African Bracelet for Hope”.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Tags: "Lori McCreary, 46664, 46664 Bangle, 46664 Bracelet, bracelet, Invictus, Morgan Freeman, Morgan Freeman bracelet, Nelson Mandela, Oscar jewelry, Oscars, Sabine Roemer
Posted in Celebrities, Entertainment, Events, HIV AIDS, Nelson Mandela | No Comments »
Saturday, March 6th, 2010
The custom-made 46664 Bangle made its debut last night on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as Morgan Freeman showed the custom-made 46664 Bangle which he’ll be wearing at the Oscars. All the bracelets bear a digital imprint of Nelson Mandela’s hand, and are being referred to as the “South African Bracelet for Hope”.
Morgan Freeman talks about the meaning of the 46664 Bangle, about Nelson Mandela, and his role in Invictus. Also on display was the silver 46664 Bangle which he wears regularly, the bracelet that anyone can buy and support the 46664 Bangle project. See Morgan Freeman’s bracelet and the full interview on NBC here
Speaking about the movie Invictus in the interview, did Nelson Mandela like the film? Freeman says, “We showed it to him at the Foundation … and I’m right next to him, watching him watch me be him. He smiled a lot and nodded and he seemed to like it.” But one of his greatest compliments came when Nelson Mandela’s long-time personal assistant heard Morgan Freeman talking on set – as Freeman says, “I got the best compliment … she thought when she came on the set first time, that Madiba was there”.
Tags: 46664, 46664 Bangle, 46664 Bangles, 46664 Bracelet, bracelet, Invictus, Jay Leno, Morgan Freeman, Nelson Mandela, Nelson Mandela Bracelet, Oscar jewelry, Oscars
Posted in Celebrities, Events, HIV AIDS | No Comments »
Friday, March 5th, 2010
The official photographs of the special-edition, 46664 Bangles are in and we’re showing them off! The spectacular bracelets were designed by world-class jeweler, Sabine Roemer, for the 2010 Oscars. 
Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary will be wearing these 46664 Bangles on the red carpet at this weekend’s 82nd Annual Academy Awards!
They’re undeniably elegant, with a meaningful and positive impact, as the bangles will be auctioned at a later date to raise money for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Anyone can support the 46664 Bangle project by buying their own 46664 Bangle. All the bracelets bear a digital imprint of Nelson Mandela’s hand, and are being referred to as the “South African Bracelet for Hope”.
See photos of Morgan Freeman’s bracelet and all the beautiful Bangles here: Official, Special Edition, 46664 Bangles for the 2010 Oscars
Tags: "Lori McCreary, 46664, 46664 Bangle, 46664 Bangles, 82nd Annual Academy Awards, bracelet, Invictus, Morgan Freeman, Nelson Mandela, Oscars, Sabine Roemer
Posted in Celebrities, Events, HIV AIDS | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
Spectacular, African Daisy inspired, 46664 Bangle
World-class jeweler, Sabine Roemer, has designed two spectacular ‘Invictus-edition’ 46664 Bangles to be worn by Morgan Freeman and Movie Producer, Lori McCreary, at this year’s 82 Annual Academy Awards.
The ‘African Daisy 46664 Bangle’ bracelet is made from 18ct yellow gold in an African Daisy design scattered with emeralds and white diamonds and engraved with ‘Invictus’ and 46664.
The ‘Invictus 46664 Bangle’ platinum bangle bracelet engraved with 46664 and decorated with emeralds and black diamonds is inscribed with ‘Invictus’ and ’46664′.
Both special-edition 46664 Bangles will be auctioned off for charity at a later date. Anyone can support the 46664 Bangle project by buying their own bangle in copper, silver, gold or platinum.
Photographs of the custom-made 46664 Bangles to follow this week.
Platinum 46664 Bangle featuring emeralds and black diamonds
Tags: 46664 Bangle, 46664 Bangles, 46664 Bracelet, Invictus, Morgan Freeman, Nelson Mandela, Nelson Mandela Bracelet, Oscars, Oscars 2010
Posted in Celebrities, Events, HIV AIDS | No Comments »
Saturday, February 27th, 2010
Morgan Freeman has won the NAACP lead actor award for his performance as Nelson Mandela in the uplifting movie, “Invictus.” Freeman could be seen mouthing “wow” as his name was announced. Good luck, Mr Freeman, for your Best Actor nomination, Sunday March 7th at the Oscars!
Photo: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press
Tags: 46664, Bangle, Invictus, Mandela, Morgan Freeman
Posted in Celebrities | No Comments »
Fifteen years later, although all eyes are on soccer as South Africa prepares to host the esteemed World Cup 2010 soccer event, this is also rugby season and this month is the prestigious Super 14 tournament. For the semi-final, the Blue Bulls rugby team announced it has chosen Orlando Stadium as its host venue – a stadium in the heart of Soweto, the country’s largest black township. It will be an unusual setting for a predominantly white team and its supporters, but it is being seen by some as a gesture of racial reconciliation.
