“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela
What is Mandela Day?
July 18 is the official Mandela Day, but this day extends itself to every other day of the year, to take initiative in making the world a better place. Each year on July 18 we are reminded to look back on what has been done and forward to what will be done. We look on how we can play a part in making South Africa a better country and to do our part in the fight against poverty. We all carry the responsibility to change the world for the better. Mandela Day celebrates Madiba’s life and legacy.
Mandela followed three rules throughout his life:
• free yourself
• free others
• serve every day.
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Poverty is a very real and devastating problem in South Africa. It is the root of malnutrition, poor education, skills deficit, unemployment and disease, loss of dignity, anger and violence. Mandela Day calls on us to do something sustainable that will work towards eradicating poverty in South Africa and ensure that every person in South Africa can realise the ideal of a dignified life.
“We need to restore and reaffirm the dignity of the people of Africa and the developing world. We need to place the eradication of poverty at the top of world priorities. We need to know with a fresh conviction that we all share a common humanity and that our diversity in the world is the strength for our future together.”
– Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela saw himself first and foremost as a servant of South Africa’s people to whom he felt he owed a duty and who he led by example.
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Nelson Mandela Day Foundation Goals 2019 – 2029 are:
Education and Literacy
Goal 1: Provision of quality education for all children.
Goal 2: All children in Early Childhood Development (ECD) to have access to learning resources for development.
Food and Nutrition
Goal 3: Reduce hunger in families through the provision of nutritious meals.
Goal 4: Eliminate malnutrition and stunting in young children.
Shelter
Goal 5: Provide safe shelter for families to live and thrive in.
Goal 6: Eliminate homelessness.
Sanitation
Goal 7: Ensure sanitation that is safe in every school.
Goal 8: Enable success of safe sanitation to all communities.
Active Citizenship
Goal 9: Dedicate more resources to supporting poverty eradication projects.
Goal 10: Increase resources allocated to the provision of ECD in disadvantaged communities.
Photo by Dazzle Jam from Pexels.
“When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.” – Nelson Mandela
By giving a little of your time each day to making a change for the better to something that is close to your heart, or by giving a little of your time to make a difference in the life of someone else, you can start changing the world around you.
