An annual day for every South African where we are asked to give 67 minutes to a community service activity or a simple deed that helps someone or something. On the 18th July 1918, Nelson Mandela was born, a man who gave 67 years of his life to the struggle for human rights and social justice, a man we never expected would forgive and take a nation forward the way the way he did. He once said “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.”
This is not only a day for South Africans to stand up and be counted in making a difference for 67 minutes but for people in other countries around the world to take on a mentality that 67 minutes can make a difference to communities everywhere. To take action, is to participate as an individual or team and take the responsibility to change the world for the better no matter how big or small, inspire and make everyday a Mandela Day.
Mandela the Public Servant served every day the people of South Africa.
What you can do! Have a look at the Mandela Day site and share your story of what you did or are planning to do on the 18th July on social media #Time2Serve. Or click here to see what others are doing and how you could help.
Two people who have done something, by writing a book – “21 At 21: The Coming of Age of a Nation” for this 21st year of democracy in South Africa are Melanie Verwoerd and Sonwabiso Ngcowa who have travelled across South Africa collecting stories of young people born in 1994. These “born frees” relate their personal journeys, dreams and hopes for the future of the country. The brutally honest voices of these 21-year-olds, challenging and disturbing, as well as funny and hopeful, give an invaluable insight into modern day South Africa.
