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Tomorrow is the 18th of July, which marks a special day for us Saffas – the iconic Mandela Day, in honour of our late great leader Nelson Mandela, which has been cemented in South Africa as an inspiring opportunity each year to reach out to those around us and give back to our communities.

Mandela Day is a truly global event, transcending borders and cultures. It’s more than a commemoration; it’s an international call to action, urging individuals and communities worldwide to dedicate at least 67 minutes to serving others.

The amount of 67 minutes may seem obscure, but is in actuality directly linked to Nelson Mandela’s life of service and represents the 67 years he dedicated to public service in the fight against Apartheid and for racial equality in South Africa.

This year’s theme, “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality,” resonates deeply with Mandela’s lifelong commitment to social justice.

While significant strides have been made since his time, the challenges of poverty and inequality persist. It may be true that there are many things in this cruel world that are out of our control, but, since its creation in 2009, this day serves as an opportunity for us to come together and support those in need, no matter how ‘small’ these deeds may feel.

Plus, on this day, you don’t need to have a lot to help others. There are plenty of impactful activities and contributions we can all make, no matter our social standings, and we’ve gathered some of the best ways to get involved, no matter who or where you are.

Acts of kindness and community for Mandela Day 2024:

1. Take part in a street clean-up in your neighbourhood, or even start one yourself.

2. Spend time with children or elderly people at an orphanage or old age home.

3. Collect sanitary towels for disadvantaged women and girls in your community – you can even collab with Dischem on this one, through their long-standing menstrual product drive.

4. Donate food to homeless persons or volunteer with a soup kitchen/feeding scheme.

5. Clean out your storage and donate old bedding, clothes and toys to organisations in need. In light of the recent storms, many homeless shelters, as well as animal rescue centres, are in need of warm blankets and other necessities.

6. Spread awareness of Mandela Day and local NGO work by boosting posts online through engagement. This is a particularly good option for those of us stuck at work this week, and you can be a cheerleader for your favourite charity organisations without necessarily forking out big Randelas. A share costs R0!

7. Join the Mandela Day Walk and Run on the 20th of July at Wanderers Stadium with your family. This one is right in line with Tata Madiba’s values of ubuntu, and should be a real jol for a great cause, that the kiddies will love.

These are just some of our top ways to get into tomorrow’s festivities, but remember to be creative and chat to your fellow Saffas about how you can be a part of the day, as well as Mandela’s legacy of kindness every day.

67 minutes may not seem like a lot, but if every one of us takes this time tomorrow to open our hearts, those minutes add up!

Here’s to you, Tata; may we make you proud tomorrow, even if it’s just for 67 minutes.

[source:mandeladay&indianexpress]