Mandela Day: Lead by example
Madiba was the quintessential public servant.
FOR the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mandela Day actions, no matter how big or small, should consistently focus on the realisation or restoration of dignity and empowerment through contributions. For the foundation, the following focus areas have particular significance:
Food security. All people, at all times, should have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious foods to maintain a healthy and active life. This is a crucial social support measure for effective development and growth. Feeding activities, whether food parcels, food gardens or feeding schemes, that provide long-term access to food security, can transform world hunger.
Education and literacy. In a world where knowledge truly is power, education and literacy are the basic building blocks that unlock the gates of opportunity and success.We all have a responsibility as parents, as caregivers, as educators, as leaders and as citizens, to instil in individuals, children and communities the critical drive for literacy and learning so that we can give them the chance to fulfil their dreams.
Shelter and infrastructure. There is no greater indignity than the absence of a place to call home. Sadly, the cycle of inadequate shelter and infrastructure can only be broken if people join together and take action to make a change. This action brings people together to build homes, communities, cities, continents and a future.
Service and volunteerism. Daily service to one’s fellow man, in whatever shape or form, is an action each one of us can commit to. As Madiba changemakers across the globe, let’s play our part by ‘living’ Madiba’s legacy. People everywhere are encouraged to contribute their actions to making the world a better place by each becoming a public servant in the service to humanity.
Madiba was the quintessential public servant. Let us emulate the servant leader we loved by all becoming servant leaders ourselves. Lead by example.
