What are you doing on Nelson Mandela Day?
Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on July 18, Mandela's birthday.
IT HAS been more than four years since Nelson Mandela died and still South Africans are trying to keep his memory alive.
On May 10, 1994, he was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected president. On his 80th birthday in 1998 he married Graça Machel, his third wife. True to his promise, Mandela stepped down in 1999 after one term as president. He continued to work with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund he set up in 1995 and established the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Mandela Rhodes Foundation. In April 2007 his grandson, Mandla Mandela, was installed as head of the Mvezo Traditional Council at a ceremony at the Mvezo Great Place.
Mandela never wavered in his devotion to democracy, equality and learning. Despite terrible provocation, he never answered racism with racism. His life is an inspiration to all who are oppressed and deprived and to all who are opposed to oppression and deprivation.
He died at his home in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013.
“His life has been an inspiration to the world,” the Nelson Mandela Foundation said. By devoting 67 minutes of their time, one minute for every year of Mandela’s public service, people can make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity and a step towards a global movement for good.
So many residents, organisation and businesses make an effort to participate in this day. Even if it is just a donation or 67 minutes of reaching out to others.
This is South Africans’ way of celebrating all that the late president has done.
• What are you planning to do this year for 67 minutes? Share your ideas with us.
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