Barbara Creecy, Minister of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries:

“The small-scale fishers along the coast of our country have been hit hard by the economic and social effects of Covid-19.  This group was affected long before other communities felt the impact of the pandemic. From as early as February this year, fishing communities were unable to sell their catch in many Asian markets.

Today, in the spirit of Nelson Mandela, we again extend a hand of friendship and support to our small-scale fishing communities. Ours is a common struggle for transformation of the fishing industry, sustainable use of marine resources and access to better livelihoods for coastal communities.”

Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO WWF South Africa;

“WWF has a deep and long-standing relationship with the small-scale fishers of the Kogelberg whom we know face many day-to-day challenges, but who have also shown enormous willingness to work with us to protect the rich marine life on their doorstep. We would like to thank everyone who has come together today to put together this small relief package for a community whose hardship was only intensified by the Covid-19 crisis.”

Nelson Mandela International Day theme and key messages

Key messages:

• Mandela Day promotes democratic values of justice and equality:
  • International Nelson Mandela Day, as declared by the UN in 2008, aims to showcase his work and to make the world aware of his humanitarian work.
  • Celebrating this day is an opportunity to give to those who do not have through charitable organisations (Nelson Mandela Foundation; Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Mandela Rhodes Foundation) and raise funds to support their continuing work of ensuring change.
  • 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.
• Make every day a Mandela Day:
  • To encourage South Africans to make every day a Mandela Day, by staying true to his ideals of justice, equality and a non-racial South Africa.
  • All South Africans have a responsibility to promote freedom and defend our democracy in honour of Madiba’s life-long commitment to these ideals.
  • His legacy lives on in our commitment to ensure a just and fair society for all, including the rights to dignity and freedom of expression.
  • Government remains determined to ensure that all South Africans, without exception enjoy all the rights enshrined in our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
• Nelson Mandela promoted South Africa’s leadership role in the Africa Agenda:
  • Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his efforts to finding a peaceful resolution to the country’s deep-rooted conflicts stemming from colonialism.
  • Mandela Day is dynamic instrument that promotes Pan Africanism and unity in diversity.
  • Under his leadership South Africa ceased to be the pariah of the world. Instead, it regained its rightful place on the continent and became part of the family of nations whilst also emphasising that Africa is at the centre of South Africa’s foreign policy.
  • Nelson Mandela recognised South Africa as an integral part of the African continent and understood its national interest as being intrinsically linked to Africa’s stability, unity and prosperity, hence the need to embrace each as Africans.
  • After his release, he recognised Africa’s assistance during the struggle and thanked them for their hospitality and support as they opened their doors and became home for many South Africans who had fled the persecution of the apartheid government.
• We walk the Mandela talk:
  • Nelson Mandela has been one of the great moral and political leaders of our time: an international hero who embarked on a lifelong dedication to the fight against injustice and racial oppression.
  • Honour the memory of our icon by making this the best Nelson Mandela Day by using it to foster social cohesion, nation building, economic development and inclusive citizenship
  • It is a global call to action for people everywhere to take responsibility for changing the world into a better place by giving our time supporting a charity or serving local communities.
  • There is no other way to honour the late former President than being dedicated to the service of our fellow human beings and by actively helping to change their circumstances.
• Let us build a society that is home to all:
  • We must do more to break down the artificial barriers of culture, race or religion that still divide us.
  • This generation must continue to work towards a society free from racial, social, economic and class barriers.
  • We must strengthen the common ties that bind us rather than focus on that which divides us.
  • Government will not rest until all South Africans enjoy the fruits of our liberation and our democracy.
  • Together we can ensure greater daily interaction on an equal basis which will build social cohesion and common understanding.