EVERY year on July 18, the birthday of Nelson Mandela, South Africans devote 67 minutes to helping others. It is 67 minutes to mark the 67 years that Madiba dedicated to public service by fighting for equal human rights.
The day is an annual global celebration to honour the life and legacy of Madiba. The theme for this year’s event is, ‘It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity’.
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Caxton Local Media employee Pam Sithole-Ngwane, who was born on July 18, says she feels blessed to share her birthday with the former president.
“Mandela was loved by everyone; he is an inspiration to many people, and that inspires me to do better.”
Turning 50 on Thursday, Sithole-Ngwane said she got to know about the legendary man when he was released from prison.
“I only realised in my 30s that I share a birthday with such a special man.”
Asked if she feels left out on her day, she said she receives lots of love and even gets phone calls from relatives who reside in other provinces.
“People never forget my birthday because it falls on Mandela Day.”
She said she feels that she shares some of Madiba’s characteristics, which are love, caring and giving.
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“I love people, I care a lot and I am very giving.”
She said she recently faced her phobia of needles and started donating blood.
“It is my way of giving back. I do not have much to give, but knowing that by donating blood I can save lives fulfils me,” she said.
Sithole-Ngwane urges healthy people to consider donating blood and saving lives.
“It only takes a few minutes. I believe if I was able to do it, considering the fear I had for needles which I have had since I was a child, anyone can,” she said with a smile.
She also appealed for people to take some time on Thursday to do some good for others, especially the underprivileged and children who were very close to Mandela’s heart.
Below are some ideas of what you can do to commemorate Mandela Day:
– Make a new friend. Get to know someone from a different cultural background.
– Read to someone who can’t read themselves. Visit a local home for the blind and open up a new world for someone else.
– Help out at the local animal shelter. Dogs without homes still need a walk and a bit of love.
– Help someone get a job. Put together and print a CV for them, or help them with their interview skills.
– Many terminally ill people have no one to speak to. Take a little time to have a chat and bring some sunshine into their lives.
– Buy a few blankets or grab the ones you no longer need from home and give them to someone in need.
– Donate blood.
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