Foundation grateful for Mandela Day good deeds
United Nations links its My World Campaign to Mandela Day.
HIGHVELD – The Nelson Mandela Foundation thanked those who carried out good deeds in memory of the late former President Mr Nelson Mandela whose birthday was celebrated on Friday, 18 July.
“We value your commitment and your solidarity and trust that you will continue to work at improving conditions in your communities.
“Nelson Mandela International Day has been successful by any measures.
“We have been heartened by the number of sustainable projects still thriving.
“At the same time it has been inspiring to see the range of innovative new projects emerge and we welcome the degree to which structures of the state, of civil society and the private sector are working together for the campaign.”
The United Nations linked its My World Campaign to Mandela Day and it is designed to secure participation by global citizens in the identifying of new development goals and has already secured contributions from nearly three million people around the world.
Mandela Day activities were recorded in 126 countries.
More than 1 200 actions were registered on the Mandela Day website and there are more to come.
About half a million food parcels were distributed to needy South Africans and more than a million sanitary towels were handed to South African schoolgirls.
“Of course the heart of Mandela Day is not about numbers and statistic.
“It is about building sustainable cultures of service, overcoming alienation and inspiring people to change their societies so that fundamental systemic issues are addressed,” said a spokesman.
Mr Mandela spent 67 years of his life working for social justice.
He died in his home in Houghton in Johannesburg on 5 December at the age of 95 and was buried in his childhood village of Qunu on 15 December.
