Thousands turn out in support of Mandela Day

The ladies at the Heartfelt Project spent the day entertaining underprivileged children

July 27, 2010 – The first official Nelson Mandela International Day saw thousands of people turn out to honour Nelson Mandela’s commitment to social justice.

From the Philippines to Kenya, Zambia to the United Kingdom, South Africa to the United States, individuals, charities and businesses took some time out to help out in their local communities on July 18, 2010.

Mandela Day is a day of public service where individuals are encouraged to spend at least 67 minutes doing some form of community service in honour of the 67 years that Mr Mandela spent fighting for social justice and human rights.

This year, thousands of people spent time caring for the elderly, cleaning their local parks, reading to children or simply preparing food for those less fortunate.

PPC Cement in South Africa donated food and toiletry parcels, clothing and linen to children at Huis van Heerde in Moorreesburg, Elkana Childcare in Malmesbury and the BADISA Centre at Riebeek West.

The Heartfelt Project, which creates employment for women in the rural community of Makapansgat in the Free State in South Africa, spent Mandela Day entertaining orphans and vulnerable children.

The children, all from the disadvantaged Mautse community, spent the day at the Heartfelt Project factory, where local women produce beautifully handcrafted items using felt and beads. The children were treated to a delicious home-cooked meal, made birthday cards for Mr Mandela and then spent the afternoon playing, singing and dancing.

Samantha Yeowart from the Heartfelt Project said: “We explained that we were all coming together to celebrate Madiba’s birthday, and to thank him for all he had done for us and for our country. We said a prayer, and then sang ‘Happy Birthday Madiba’! We sang so loudly we think he probably heard us in Jo’burg!

“We were so proud and happy that we were able to do something special for these very, very special children, and we say a heartfelt thanks – ke a leboga [“thank you”] – to Madiba for reminding us that one small action can change the world! We are committed to carrying on our work with these and other vulnerable children in our community – to making every day a Mandela Day!” she added.

In the Western Cape, while the Bikers for Mandela Day were building a fence around the Aids Response centre in Khayelitsha, Axene – a young pop musician - was helping brighten the days of children in the Vredenburg Hospital.

Axene spent her 67 minutes reading to the children in the children’s wards. She also spent some time chatting to other patients and wishing them a speedy recovery.

Another initiative that was inspired by Mandela Day is Operation Education Excellence, run by Nell-Son International. Operation Education Excellence aims to increase the pass rate in the Limpopo province by 28% by using mock exam papers, revision assistance and exam paper memorandums to assist scholars in preparing for end-of-year exams.

Operation Education Excellence will run for 95 days and will be run in addition to a series of other community service events.

“It is with great pleasure that we have decided as business people in the Limpopo province to dedicate not 67 minutes to Madiba’s birthday but the next 95 days. We have started various projects planting vegetables for the needy, renovating houses for underprivileged children and handing out blankets and food for people sleeping on the streets,” said CEO Jacques Nell.

Johannesburg City Parks spent Mandela Day greening and cleaning the public spaces and parks across Johannesburg, South Africa.

“This is our commitment to the 67 minutes campaign to build on the Madiba legacy, by creating a clean, healthy and vibrant space in the city that we can all enjoy,” says member of the mayoral committee for the environment, Matshidiso Mfikoe. 

The 67 minutes campaign kicked off with the planting of the 92nd tree in Thokoza Park, Soweto; it was in this park that Mr Mandela planted the 90th tree in the Greening Soweto legacy project on his 90th birthday.

From there, officials and volunteers headed to Houghton to upgrade and beautify Central, First and 14th Avenues. Children from a local crèche gathered to celebrate the legacy of Mr Mandela by planting a tree and sharing a birthday cake. City Parks then distributed 670 trees for planting to residents in Alexandra, as part of the Alexandra Renewal Project.

Did you do something to help your local community in some way? Tell us about it by submitting details of your activity, a photo or even a video on our Mandela Day activity page.