Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged the elderly and every citizen to make every day a Mandela day and lend a helping hand to those in need.
He made these remarks during the Mandela Day commemorations at the Soweto Home for the Aged on Tuesday.
This year’s Mandela Day is observed under the theme: ‘Climate, Food and Solidarity’ - calling all to action in response to the impact of climate change, addressing the challenges of poverty and inequality.
Accompanied by the Charlotte Mannya Maxeke Institute, the Deputy President handed over gifts to the elderly at the home which accommodates needy and destitute elderly people with full boarding and lodging facilities, frail care and other services.
“On Mandela Day, let us take a few minutes to help others, it doesn’t have to be the whole day, just spare 67 minutes and help those in need. You don’t have to bring blankets, you can also come and clean the floor, in other places you can paint.
“We must also live our lives as if every day is Nelson Mandela Day, even those who are able to give must do so on normal days. Our message today is that let’s make every day a Nelson Mandela Day,” Mashatile said.
Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of the late liberation struggle veteran and international icon, President Nelson Mandela.
SAnews spoke to some of the elderly people at the home on what the day means to them.
Emma Phala who is part of the residence committee at the home said that she was happy to be celebrating another Mandela day as it holds dear memories for her.
“I joined this home in 2009, and they are looking after us really well. There is no home like this one. We have people who look after us - the cleaners, cooks and nurses take care of us. This Mandela Day is a pleasant and beautiful day. We are happy to celebrate this day.
“This day takes me back to when I used to go around the country with fellow comrades and we will sing the song “Nelson Mandela, there is no one like you”. So today we had visitors from many sectors who have donated blankets and other things to us. So it’s really a joyous day,” said the 75-year-old.
On this day, 70-year-old Sifiso Mabaso said the world remembers the sacrifices made by the country’s founding father of democracy.
“Mandela Day means a lot to me. Our father Nelson Mandela stayed in prison for 27 years for us to attain the freedom we enjoy today.
“We are very happy and grateful for his sacrifices… today we are able to have homes that look after the elderly who have nowhere else to go. We also thank those that honour this day by helping those in need,” he said.
The Deputy President and his delegation began with a visit to the Morris Isaacson High School in Jabavu, Soweto, where he took part in planting 12 additional vegetable beds.
This is aimed at encouraging learners to start and maintain vegetable gardens at their schools and homes. This is also part of the food security initiatives aimed at contributing to the overall National School Nutrition Program. –SAnews.gov.za
