March 28, 2011– Today saw the official launch of Nelson Mandela International Day for 2011. Mandela Day, under the theme “change”, is a call to action for people everywhere to take responsibility for making the world a better place, one small step at a time, just as Mr Mandela did.
Achmat Dangor, Nelson Mandela Foundation Chief Executive addressed the audience of media; partners and stakeholders; Irene Menell, a trustee of the Foundation; learners and popular South African radio personality Jeremy Mansfield and television star Jack Devnarain.
“I recall Mr Mandela’s 90th birthday concert, which was held in Hyde Park in 2008, was branded with a 46664 concert slogan – ‘It’s in our hands’. Mr Mandela deliberately altered the slogan to ‘It’s in your hands’. He clearly indicated his intention to share the point of leadership and responsibility among many,” said Dangor.
The following year the first Mandela Day was held on Mr Mandela’s birthday July 18 and in November 2009 it was declared Nelson Mandela International day by the United Nations. Last year it was marked by acts of goodwill in communities throughout the world.
Dangor said it remains the work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation to affect change with and within communities, empowering them to change the world around them for the better. Introducing “Mandela Mondays”, he said: “Each Monday, give a small amount of your time, wherever you can, to spreading the message that change is in your hands.”
Through “Mandela Mondays” the Foundation is inviting people everywhere to spend as little as five minutes doing something good – something that will change someone’s life, community or environment for the better.
Helene Hoedl, Deputy Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Pretoria, said Mr Mandela lived his values and added that the UN supports the Foundation’s commitment to make everyday a Mandela Day.
“We declared Nelson Mandela Day an International Day in recognition of his ongoing struggle and outstanding contribution to growing a democratic South Africa and elsewhere on the continent,” she said.
Sello Hatang, the Foundation’s Information Communication Manager introduced a panel of learners who he asked to speak about their experiences of Nelson Mandela Day.
Moshe, a Grade 11 pupil, said: “Madiba is an international icon for peace. He always looked to the future.”
Tarryn, a Grade 7 pupil, said: “After 27 years, he came out of jail in peace. He didn’t want to fight.”
Mano, a Grade 7 pupil, said: “Mandela believes in and promotes unity in diversity. He is forgive and forget-minded.”
When asked why Mandela Day is so important, the learners responded:
“Mandela Day is a gateway from thought into action. It gives us the opportunity to do good, and act,” said Moshe.
“It’s a chance for us to give back,” said Tarryn.
“It’s the day we celebrate the life of a national treasure,” said Richard, a Grade 11 learner.
After sharing with the audience what they did on Mandela Day last year, the panel divulged their plans for Mandela Day 2011:
“I’ll do something to change the world”, said Moshe.
“I’ll use my social network to grow Mandela Day,” said Mano.
“I’ll visit an old age home in White City, in Soweto, and help clean up and grow veggies,” said Richard.
“It all starts with the choices you make,” said Fatima. “I am not my circumstances, I am my possibilities.”
The overarching message from the group of learners was that people should ask themselves how they could make the world a better place.
Hatang then introduced key events for Mandela Day 2011:
• A university students’ panel on 23 May, where students will discuss what Mandela Day means to them, and
• A “public figures” panel announcing their intentions for Mandela Day on 20 June.
Click here to download the 2011 Nelson Mandela International Day fact sheet.
Click here for 67 ways to observe Nelson Mandela International Day.
Key dates and events will be posted on the Centre Of Memory Twitter page and The Centre of Memory Facebook page.
In closing, the Foundation’s Mandela Day manager Frank Meintjies encouraged the audience to spread the word and to make every day a Mandela Day.
