World needs many more Mandelas in these times, says South African envoy
AS South Africans marked the Nelson Mandela International Day on Sunday, South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa urged people to imbibe the spirit of African camaraderie ‘Ubuntu’ (“I am because we are” or “humanity towards others’’).
While there was no major event to mark the occasion in Qatar, the ambassador urged all to do good by helping their neighbours.
Moosa said that the Nelson Mandela International Day, which was started by the United Nations in 2009, is observed every year on July 18 to mark the legacy of the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader and philanthropist Nelson Mandela (Madiba), and his values, through volunteering and community service. On this day, people are encouraged to take 67 minutes of their time to do anything good.
“There is a saying that if everyone helps his neighbour, then who would need help, and it’s this ethos that brings South Africans together with a sense of African Ubuntu and we play our part for a better South Africa, Africa, and a better world. The world needs many Mandelas in this challenging phase that it finds itself in. Long live the revolutionary spirit on Nelson Mandela,” the envoy said.
“A life lived with sacrifice of 27 years in prison. On his release, Madiba took a conscious decision to forgive the apartheid state and negotiate a peaceful transition to a democratic
The Nelson Mandela International Day, which was started by the United Nations in 2009, is observed every year on July 18 to mark the legacy of the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader and philanthropist Nelson Mandela (Madiba) and his values through volunteering and community service
South Africa. He became the first democratically elected president of South Africa,” he said.
The ambassador said that because Madiba had dedicated 67 years of his life in the service of humanity in the promotion of peace, equality, justice, gender equity and human rights, South Africans were encouraged to do 67 minutes of service to their communities in which they find themselves.
He added, “In South Africa on Sunday, people were out to dedicate at least 67 minutes of their time in service to the nation. During interfaith services today, the religious sectors prayed for those who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their prayers are for those who are in hospitals and those who have lost their loved ones across South Africa and across the world.”
According to the envoy, South Africans on Sunday made food for the poor as the impact of COVID-19 has made the unemployment worse resulting in more people experiencing poverty. “On this day, we visit our elderly, paint and repair school and involve ourselves in nation building even in the very challenging climate we find ourselves in. This is the day that South Africans display their collective humanity as Madiba our teacher has taught us,” he said.
“The United Nations declared the 18th of July as Nelson Mandela International Day. It was the day on which the father of our Nation Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, fondly known as Madiba, was born in 1918.”