Mandla hands over kits, serves food in honour of Mandela Day

NELSON Mandela’s eldest grandchild, Chief Mandla Mandela, yesterday celebrated his grandfather’s iconic day by serving food to patients at Mvezo Clinic and handing over soccer kits to local sports teams.

Mandela, who is the senior traditional leader of Mvezo, gave soccer kits to teams from three villages within the administrative area who had participated in a tournament for the former president.

“This is part of contributing to youth development and fighting crime, drug and alcohol abuse and in the process developing skills,” said Mandela.

He said every day should be a “Mandela-do” where people do something to help others.

“The Mandela International Day should not be confined only to South Africa but should be observed by the entire globe and this should be stressed. Madiba is not a South African icon but a world icon,” said Mandela.

He crisscrossed the world this month with some international beauties promoting Mandela Month.

Nelson Mandela International Day was launched on Madiba’s birthday July 18, in 2009, after a unanimous decision by the UN General Assembly.

Miss World called upon every contestant, parent, family member, friend, sponsor, licence holder, media partner, or pageant fans of Miss World or other competitions to give 67 minutes of time for an act of kindness to a child, adult, family, friend, charity organisation or anyone who may need help.

“By doing so we can honour and remember the legacy of president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Aah Dalibhunga! We salute you on this day,” read a statement on the Miss World website.