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NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY

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NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY

To honour Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of public service, everyone around the world is called to designate 67 minutes of their time to make a difference in the lives of others.

  • In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) paid tribute to Nelson Mandela by adopting a resolution to make the international community aware of his humanitarian work. The resolution declared the birthday of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, 18 July, Nelson Mandela International Day. It was also on that day that Madiba called on the people of the world to honour him by helping their communities.
  • It is an annual celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and a global call to action for people to recognise their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them. It is a day when everyone has the opportunity to make a difference in their communities and change the world for the better.
  • Mandela Day was created to inspire people to embrace the values of democracy and contribute towards the ideals of ensuring a just and fair society, to take action and inspire change.
  • This year marks 104 years since the birth of our late beloved global icon Nelson Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela. That the United Nations General Assembly deemed it important to establish this day, not only attests to the enduring legacy which Nelson Mandela bequeathed humanity, but it is also an affirmation of our common humanity in defence of which, President Mandela, our leader, sacrificed 27 years in jail.
  • Nelson Mandela was a humanitarian who fought for social justice for 67 years of his life. It is befitting to commemorate his hard-working 67 years to make the world a better place by giving your 67 minutes to make your community and the world a better place.
  • The Mandela Day Campaign message encourages people to use 67 minutes of their time to support a chosen charity or serve in their local community. The 67 minutes symbolically represent the number of years the former President fought for human rights and the abolition of apartheid. Mandela Day is a call to action for individuals – for people everywhere – to take responsibility for changing the world into a better place, one small step at a time, just as Nelson Mandela did.

The celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day recognises and gives credence to the former President’s commitment to human rights, conflict resolution and reconciliation.

  • Nelson Mandela spent 67 years of his life advancing the struggle for the liberation of all South Africans, black and white, from political, social and economic division.
  • The UNGA declaration of Nelson Mandela International Day recognises his values and dedication to the service of humanity in conflict resolution; race relations; promotion and protection of human rights; reconciliation; gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups; the fight against poverty; the promotion of social justice.
  • On 24 September 2018, the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit adopted a political declaration which made a firm commitment to redouble efforts to build a just, peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and fair world, as a continuation of the tribute to Madiba’s celebrated qualities and service to humanity. The period from 2019 to 2028 is the Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace.
  • The Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace is a salute to Madiba for his humility, forgiveness and compassion. Madiba dedicated his life towards contributing to the struggle for democracy and promoting a culture of peace throughout the world.
  • The Declaration places emphasis on the values of conflict resolution that the late Nelson Mandela held. Madiba always highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to sustaining peace by preventing conflict while addressing its root causes and strengthening the rule of law, poverty eradication, and social development.

This day recognises the icon’s leading role in and support for Africa’s struggle for liberation and unity, and his outstanding contribution to the creation of a non-racial, non-sexist democratic South Africa.

  • Mr Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994. As a champion of reconciliation, he was instrumental in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was set up by South Africa’s Government of National Unity to help deal with the atrocities of apartheid.
  • Before his presidency, Mandela was heavily involved in anti-apartheid activities. He served 27 years in prison, many of which were spent with other sentenced freedom fighters.
  • While officially retired, he continued to voice his opinion on topical humanitarian issues and campaigns globally for peace, children and the fight against HIV and AIDS.
  • Government calls on all South Africans to contribute to the social and economic security of Africans, by living the values of our Constitution that provides for the rights of all people living in our country and the affirms democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom for all.

The Nelson Mandela International Day campaign remains rooted in the call Nelson Mandela made in 2009 to honour him by working in communities rather than by celebrating his birthday.

  • While the 18 July remains a focal point for the campaign, we urge people supporting the campaign to participate in sustainable interventions with lasting impact.
  • The global theme for 2022 is “Do What You Can, With What You Have, Wherever You Are.”
  • The context is a world in which inequality continues to grow and in which the destructive impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed existing disparities and damaged vulnerable communities in all kinds of ways.
  • Identify those in need around you and do what you can to make a difference for them.
  • Food security is a basic human need, and sustainable production is a vital element in supporting it. Come together as a community to start gardens and make one in your own backyard and plant fruit and indigenous trees.
  • While the world tackles climate change, you too can do your part in your community by planting and growing fresh, organic and cost-effective produce and trees for the well-being of all, especially vulnerable communities
  • Embrace home and community planting and growing as a contribution to protecting the environment and addressing the challenge of climate change.
  • Business, NGO’s and food production corporations and institutions are urged to invest in sustainable food production platforms to the benefit of vulnerable communities.

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