SOUTH AFRICA: ACTOR DENZEL WASHINGTON DONATES ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO MANDELA'S CHILDREN FUND

Record ID: 460794

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: ACTOR DENZEL WASHINGTON DONATES ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO MANDELA'S CHILDREN FUND
  • Date: 26th June 1995
  • Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 26, 1995) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. SV EXTERIOR MARKET THEATRE 0.06 2. SV INTERIOR - ACTOR DENZEL WASHINGTON ON STAGE/ APPLAUSE/ WASHINGTON SITS DOWN WITH SOUTH AFRICAN ACTOR JOHN KANE 0.14 4. SV AUDIENCE AS MAN ASKS QUESTION 0.24 5. SV WASHINGTON ANSWERING QUESTION, SAYING WHEN HOLLYWOOD FOUND
  • Embargoed: 11th July 1995 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
  • City:
  • Country: South Africa
  • Reuters ID: LVABKFACPNVCRW6UQFA5W8EA23SX
  • Story Text: Hollywood made its mark on the lives of needy children in South Africa on Monday (June 26) when actor Denzel Washington donated one million United States (U.S.) dollars to President Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund.

    Speaking at a press conference in Johannesburg, Washington said he envied the spirit of hope he had discovered in South Africa.

    "Now that I have been to South Africa, I can only say I am jealous of the feeling of hope you have, the kind of hope that doesn't exist in America anymore," he said.

    Washington added: "Everywhere I go I experience kindness and sharing. You seem to have such a great future ahead of you and even though the price you paid in blood for it is tremendous, I'm kinda jealous of what it brought you".

    The contribution Washington made to Mandela's Childrens Fund will go towards helping street children who have no home or access to education. Mandela established the fund to which he contributes ten percent of his income.

    Washington, obviously moved by his experiences while in South Africa, said he intends to return with a purpose, adding: "It's guaranteed that I'll be back to teach, to have workshops, to share what I know and to learn what you can teach me".

    Washington is on holiday in South Africa with his wife and four children. Earlier in his week-long trip he met Mandela for lunch, flew to Robben Island and renewed his marriage vows at a ceremony presided over by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to commemorate his 13th wedding anniversary.


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