Mandela Day is global solidarity
JULY 18: ICON’S BIRTHDAY WILL BE A CALL TO CITIZENS Social roleplayers stress Mandela’s vision and pledge their participation
Education and literacy, food security, shelter and volunteering – these are the four pillars which Mandela Day is based on. And on July 18 citizens of the world will be called on to play a part in carrying the spirit of ubuntu and social cohesion into the future.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead,” Madiba once said.
In line with this ideal, the Nelson Mandela Foundation yesterday launched Mandela Day 2015 in Johannesburg in the presence of selected social role players.
The occasion gave the floor to various speakers who called on all and sundry to come on board on July 18, Madiba’s birthday, and offer their support to the marginalised of society.
Mandela Day was first declared a commemoration day by the United Nations in 2009. The first commemoration was the following year – and it happened in Johannesburg and New York.
Since then, 126 countries have joined the initiative, according to Foundation’s CEO, Sello Hatang.
Geoff Rothschild of Brand SA remembers Madiba’s spirit of ubuntu . Mandela followed three rules throughout his life: free yourself, free others and serve everyday, he said.
Madiba’s long-time personal assistant Zelda le Grange said that bikers will cover 2 800km in five days and conduct various interventions along the way, particularly among the elderly, in honour of Mandela.
Stop Hunger Now’s Saira Khan reiterated the need to tackle food security. Hunger was not something “we can treat and then it goes away”, Khan said. She pledged a One Million Meals in a single day challenge, where a participating company would enter a team of 20 volunteers to package meals for the less fortunate.
Carolyn Steyn, of the 67 Blankets campaign, spoke of the recent draping of hand-knitted blankets over the Union Buildings with the message of keeping people warm in memory of Madiba.
She said the initiative was about “weaving our nation together”.–