SA rolls up sleeves for Mandela Day

Sunday, July 15, 2018

With only three days to go before the 2018 International Nelson Mandela Day, the country is readying itself for one of the biggest installations of the campaign to make the world a better place.

The United Nations declared 18 July International Nelson Mandela Day. Annually on this day, people across political divides in South Africa and other parts of the world devote 67 minutes doing charitable work and prompting global citizens to take action against poverty. 

The 67 minutes signify the 67 years Madiba dedicated to the service of others. 

On 18 July, former President Nelson Mandela, who died on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95, would have turned 100 years had he lived.

To mark the day, citizens across the globe are to donate 67 minutes of their time performing good deeds for those in need.

Already various organisations across the country have planned activates aimed at eradicating poverty and racism, while building a better country.

Government has also declared the day as a National Day of Service, which is an encouragement for all South Africans to go out in their numbers to follow in Tata’s footsteps to make a difference by donating time towards humanitarian efforts and disadvantaged communities to inspire a positive change that promotes the culture of ubuntu.

For his contribution to the National Day of Service, President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit Mvezo in the Eastern Cape.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation will on Tuesday, 17 July host the 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture at Wanderers Stadium in Illovo, Johannesburg. The lecture will be delivered by former US President Barack Obama under the theme ‘Renewing the Mandela Legacy and Promoting Active Citizenship in a Changing World’. 

The annual lecture is a platform to drive debate on critical social issues in South Africa and around the world. It focuses on creating conditions for bridging divides, working across ideological lines, and resisting oppression and inequality. - SAnews.gov.za