July 18th marks Nelson Mandela International Day, one which encourages “every one of us to perform 67 minutes of public service on Mandela Day – one minute for each year of Mandela’s own remarkable service to humanity.” We have compiled some highlights of what South Africans are doing, on and offline, for this special day.
“The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.” Mandela Day Website
Twitter hashtags:
#67minutes
#MandelaDay
Twitter feeds: What are people doing for their 67minutes?
1. Giving away shoes
2. Spending time with kids at orphanages
3. Tree planting and park restorations by Joburg City Parks
4. Hout Bay at 11am – community rebuilding IY library (Nicky Allen)
5. Cooking for the community from Drakenstein Prison (jean Esterhuizen)
6. Visiting HIV positive infants at Noah’s Ark in Benoni (@Just_Muffinz)
7. On Mandela Day 2011 (July 18th) staff and friends of the Khuphuka Project will be climbing Rhino Peak (3051m) in the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa as a sponsored event to raise funds for Khuphuka’s important work – helping children and families living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
8. Woolworths’ CEO making sandwiches for preschool kids in under-resourced areas of CT
9. Donating blood
10. Bikers for Mandela Day – 26 bikers including DJ Fresh, have contributed to “probably the most dramatic and most publicised initiative honouring Mandela Day” as they rode 2200km of rural roads from Johannesburg through the Free State, KZN, Mpumalanga, and Swaziland then ending in Pretoria this morning. They also did 67minutes of community work on their travels.
11. Stacy Renecke helped buy 67 loaves of bread and handed them out to “tea ladies, cleaning staff, the homeless, street kids, petrol attendants etc” @StacyRen
12. “In Tembisa primary kids are outside with the bday cards they made for #madiba siinging bday songs! Wish he would see this” @hev_ville
13. Mandela Day activities around South Africa
14. South African Airways (SAA) intends to brand its entire fleet with the Mandela Day Logo, and For his 93rd birthday, SAA and its partners will be flying 93 underprivileged children from all nine provinces to the Foundation, giving them their first flying experience. The children will also receive special gifts and school uniforms.
Best places to volunteer:
1. Nkosi’s Haven (HIV/AIDS infected moms with children)
2. Ebuhleni Cares Community in Ivory Park (join them in donating food, clothes, money for orphans of community)
3. Clean up litter in the parks (whichever is closest to you) or beaches
4. Visit children in a hospice close to you
5. Johannesburg Child Welfare (join them in visiting orphaned children at the Othandweni Home in Soweto. carlyritz@gmail.com
6. More activities and places to volunteer at
A little bit of funny on Twitter: “I have heard a rumour”
• Bobby_Uncle
“Word on the street is that in honour of #Mandeladay Julius Malema is going to shut his revolutionary mouth for 67 minutes…oh happy days!”
• 22ka_Miya
“RT“@ChrisForrestSA: I heard a rumour that in honour of #Mandeladay Steve Hofmeyer is going to try not be a prick for 67 minutes”
You can also show your support during today’s holiday by encorporating a Love Madiba tag on your social network avatars. David Anthony Alves showed us where we can find our own Love Madiba ribbons: http://twb.ly/f02AU3
What are you doing for Mandela Day?
Article by Lauren Haworth (@laurenhaworthSA)
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