He shares his birthday with a legend
Kgopotso Mathunyane (23) celebrates his birthday on July 18 and he feels honoured to share it with one of the most inspiring people in the world.
POLOKWANE – July 18 is not only Nelson Mandela’s birthday, but also Mandela Day, a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each person has the power to transform the world and the ability to make an impact. People are encouraged to spend 67 minutes of the day to make a difference in someone’s life.
Kgopotso Mathunyane (23) celebrates his birthday on July 18 and he feels honoured to share it with one of the most inspiring people in the world.
“I feel special to share a birthday with Mandela, he is my role model and I will always look up to him,” says Mathunyane.
He says his favourite quote from Mandela is, ‘No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion. People learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes naturally to the human heart than its opposite’.
He says he was not aware of how special the day was until he saw the impact Mandela Day had on people’s lives.
Mathunyane says having a good heart and caring for other people associates him with Mandela.
When asked what he thinks Mandela would have done and or how he would have reacted towards issues such as statue vandalism and xenophobic attacks, Mathunyane said Mandela would have fought tooth and nail to stop these kinds of issues.
“Madiba would have been very disappointed to see such incidents in the country since he was among the heroes and heroines who fought for freedom. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhance the freedom of others,” explains Mathunyane.
