What Madiba Day is all about

Nelson Mandela Day is held in commemoration of South Africa’s first democratically elected president.

They day is held annually on the late former president’s birthday – 18 July.

This day was inspired by a call Madiba made in 2008 for the generation to come to take on the burden of leadership in abolishing the world’s social injustices.

Mandela said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

The day is not only celebrated nationally but is also recognised as an internationals day. The decision to make it an internationally recognised day was taken in 2009 by the United Nations General Assembly.

This day is more than just a celebration of Madiba’s life and legacy, it is a global movement to honour his life’s work and to change the world for the better.

Mandela has left the simple message that each individual has the ability and the responsibility to be a positive impact on the world.

Nelson Mandela followed three rules throughout his life:

• Free yourself.

• Free others.

• Serve every day.

How to be a Mandela in your own stead:

• Support the community with feeding schemes whether it is food parcels or food gardens.

• Knowledge is power – lead through education.

• Shelter and infrastructure – bring people together to build homes, communities and a future.

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