Ten ways to spend your 67 minutes on Mandela Day
On Saturday millions of South Africans will be rolling up their sleeves to help people less fortunate than themselves.
Nelson Mandela International Day was launched on Dr Nelson Mandela’s birthday, July 18, in 2009 by the UN General Assembly in recognition of his efforts towards peace and reconciliation. Every year since, South Africans, and people across the world, have been encouraged to spend some time doing charity work on this day.
According to official reports, the day was inspired by a call made to the next generation of leaders by Mandela in 2007. He told them that the future of the world is in their hands and to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices.
There are several ways people can spend their time but Hazyview Herald compiled 10 ways you can make a difference in your community:
• Get a group of friends together and clean up a part of town by picking up litter.
• Find out if you can paint a building, repair it or donate goods to a nearby shelter, orphanage or charity organisation. Local organisations you can aid include Hope in Christ Ministries in Mkhuhlu, the Masoyi Special Care Centre (supported by the Rotary Club of White River) in Masoyi and Hosanna Church and Community Projects in Shabalala.
• Put together food parcels and donate them to local charity organisations, churches and feeding schemes.
• Become an organ donor and help save up to seven lives. Sign up at www.odf.org.za
• Plant an indigenous tree at a school, organisation or even just at home and help reduce your carbon footprint.
• Donate care packs or teddy bears to the Greater Rape Intervention Program to aid survivors of rape and domestic violence. It has offices at the Hazyview SAPS. Visit www.grip.org.za
• Donate pet food, services or saleable goods to the Lowveld or Sabie SPCA to enable them to rescue and take care of animals that have been neglected and abused. Visit www.spcalowveld.co.za.
• Donate blood at the SANBS to help people across the country. Visit www.sanbs.org to find your nearest donor centre.
• Volunteer to go teach a skill at a local community centre, like beading, gardening, cooking, sewing or even an instrument or basic business skills.
• Visit the local old-age home and spend your 67 minutes by chatting to the old people. If possible, you can even donate toiletries and other necessities or host a tea party.
Let us know how you’re going to spend Mandela Day by posting on Hazyview Herald Facebook page or sending an email to retha@lowvelder.co.za.
