The Nelson Mandela Foundation, along with other associated organisations have named Mandela Day on 18 July to be celebrated as a global, annual event. The aim of the day is to highlight the enormous achievements made by Nelson Mandela but also by other advocates of peace around the world.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation, along with other associated organisations have named Mandela Day on 18 July to be celebrated as a global, annual event. The aim of the day is to highlight the enormous achievements made by Nelson Mandela but also by other advocates of peace around the world. The Mandela Day campaign states that positive change starts with small actions and calls on individuals to find the power within themselves to make a difference in the world.
Mandela worked to make South Africa as well as the world a better place, starting in 1942 when he founded a campaign advocating the human rights of each South African citizen. Since then he has worked tirelessly for 67 years promoting and addressing various social and political issues. This year he calls on South Africans to take 67 minutes of their time to making a change within their own community.
When the campaign was launched Mandela said that he "honoured if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace and reconciliation." However, this campaign should not be about one day in a year, but should start a movement where individuals make a difference throughout the year.
In preparation for Mandela Day, the Albany Museum are hoping to make a difference in the Grahamstown community. Through the museum’s Education Department they have identified Manley Flats and Wilson’s farm schools as two farm schools in needy areas.
They are calling on Grahamstown residents to donate blankets, clothes, stationery supplies, games, toys and sports equipment to help these two schools, who have already benefited from the museum’s campaign.
The Albany Museum campaign has been extended to the Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Cacadu District staff members, NGOs, other government departments, Rhodes University and members of the public. As a result of the schools being on holiday, the museum’s Mobile Museum unit is hoping to spend 67 minutes at each school handing out the donations. Zongezile Matshoba, communication and marketing officer at the museum urges people to please donate any items which could be of use to these schools. If you would like to make a donation or become part of the cause you can contact Bulelwa Sontshatsha at the museum on 046 622 2312 or drop off donations at the Education Department storeroom at the Albany Museum.
In the words of Madiba, "It is time for new hands to lift the burden."
