June 29, 2009 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the 46664 campaign, in association with their sister organisations, have called for Mandela Day on 18 July to be recognised as an annual international “day of humanitarian action” in celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy.
Mandela Day serves as a catalyst for each and every person around the world to realise that they have the ability to change it through small actions. We hope that this will lead to an international movement for good.
Mandela Day is not a holiday but an annual celebration of Nelson Mandela’s example of community service. He spent 67 years of his life actively devoted to promoting and bringing about social change. On Mandela Day we ask individuals to symbolically give at least 67 minutes of their time in service to their communities in whichever way they choose. We urge people to become involved in activities to uplift the communities around them on an ongoing basis.
A global movement for positive change begins with small actions. As Mr Mandela has reminded us, “it’s in our hands” to create a better world. We take inspiration from his example to take responsibility for ourselves and to understand our responsibility to others.
The Mandela Day campaign welcomes the involvement of individuals, government, companies and NGOs into this global movement for good. We ask that Mandela Day activities do not divert resources earmarked for communities and their NGO partners.
In his State of the Nation address, President Jacob Zuma urged that the nation “wholeheartedly support Mandela Day and encourage the world to join us in this wonderful campaign.” South Africa’s Ambassador to the UN is currently in discussion with UN officials and with member states to seek official recognition by the General Assembly for Mandela Day. We hope that this will lend impetus to this international movement.
Mandela Organisation Activity
The Mandela organisations will be active on Mandela Day in their respective areas of work. The Nelson Mandela Foundation, through its Centre of Memory and Dialogue, will convene, as part of its ongoing series, a community conversation in Khayelitsha to address issues of xenophobia. Other Nelson Mandela Foundation staff will spend at least 67 minutes of their time at various community-based projects.
The Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural Development, with the University of Fort Hare, will organise volunteers to renovate a local high school in Alice and clean up the town.
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation will be part of a series of ubuntu workshops in Cape Town aimed at exploring issues of diversity and the spirit of ubuntu in the workplace.
The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund will honour and celebrate its Founder’s example and legacy through its continuous support of programmes that make an impact on the lives of children. The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund currently supports 74 programmes across the country.
Inaugural International Mandela Day Events
The City of New York and its partners are generously hosting the inaugural international Mandela Day events. This will include photographic exhibitions on the life and times of Nelson Mandela and promoting dialogue between students in New York and South Africa. A dinner and a concert will be held to raise funds for the ongoing work of the Nelson Mandela charities and for 46664-supported projects in African countries.
As always, these events are sponsored, and artists at the concert perform free of charge. This year, due to the economic climate, there will be no live broadcast of the concert in order to save on the $50 000 broadcast costs. However, a recording of the concert has been offered to the SABC to flight soon after the concert.
It is emphasised that the focus of the first Mandela Day in South Africa is on community service.
For more information, please go to www.mandeladay.com or contact Chantal Cuddumbey at Chantal@46664.org.za / 011 728 1000.