Pretoria - In an effort to remain true to Nelson Mandela’s ideals of making the country and the world a better place, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi will tomorrow contribute her 67 minutes through community work at Evuxakeni Hospital in Giyani, Limpopo.
At the hospital, Minister Muthambi will interact with patients before she will be joined by the hospital senior management, Mayor of Giyani Local Municipality, ward councillors and municipal officials in painting the hospital she adopted last year.
Minister Muthambi said: “The month of July is a very significant month in South Africa. On the 18th of July South Africa, and the world at large, celebrate Mandela Day. On this day, people everywhere are encouraged to act on the idea that each person has the power to change the world.
“It is therefore, important as citizens of South Africa to give back to needy communities in the spirit of our icon, Tata Nelson Mandela”.
In November 2009, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of the former President Mandela’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.
Since then, South Africans together with the international community have annually used this day to call on people around the world to take action to help change the world for the better, and by doing so, build a global movement for good.
The Nelson Mandela International Day serves as a catalyst for each and every person to change the world through community work. The campaign asks that individuals, groups and corporates pledge 67 minutes of their time and every day thereafter, to continue to give back.
The 67 minutes symbolically represents the number of years the former president fought for human rights and the abolition of apartheid. This year's Nelson Mandela International Day will take place under the theme “Donating 67 minutes of our time to help those in need”.
South Africans on the other hand have embraced the chance to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life for the whole of July. This means everyone has the whole month to take action and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
This year South Africa marks the second year since the passing of former President Mandela. - SAnews.gov.za
