Team Shosholoza takes on celebrity crew member

SOUTH AFRICA’S America’s Cup hopeful, Team Shosholoza, will honour Rivonia trialist Andrew Mlangeni as its most revered 18th crew member during a race at the Trapani Louis Vuitton Acts currently being contested off southern Sicily. Eighty two year old Mlangeni, who served 26 years of a life sentence on Robben Island with former president Nelson Mandela, has been a South African member of parliament since 1994 and is also a member of the parliamentary Sports and Recreation Portfolio Committee . The “18 man” spot is by invitation only to special guests, celebrities or the media. It provides a rare opportunity to watch the racing from the back of the boat, but no assistance may be given to the team. Mlangeni, who arrived in Trapani last Saturday, refers to himself as a proud and committed Team Shosholoza supporter. “This team represents the world I always believed in. They are showing the world that South Africa has turned into a new country and a new democracy we can all be proud of.” Team Shosholoza represents Capt Salvatore Sarno’s vision of showcasing South Africa’s technology, human initiative, skills and expertise through the America’s Cup in a way few other international campaigns could, he said.