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Nelson Mandela Day 2013
Introduction and background
In 2009, President Jacob Zuma first introduced the concept of Mandela Day to motivate a nationwide campaign to get the public involved in charitable activities. In November 2009, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) paid tribute to Dr Nelson Mandela by adopting a resolution to make the international community aware of his humanitarian work.
From 2010, 18 July was declared by the UNGA as International Nelson Mandela Day. This day also coincides with the icon’s birthday. The celebration of this international day recognises and gives credence to the former President Nelson Mandela’s commitment to human rights, conflict resolution and reconciliation.
Nelson Mandela Day not only celebrates Nelson Mandela’s life, but it is also a global call to action for people to recognize their ability to have a positive effect on others around them.
These values include democracy, freedom, equality, diversity, reconciliation, and respect. An international campaign has been initiated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the International Nelson Mandela Day, which sums up what Mandela stands for. It gives all people in South Africa and all over the world an opportunity to do something for others, for only 67 minutes in recognition of the 67 years that Madiba spent fighting against apartheid.Many people and organizations around the world take part in many activities to promote Nelson Mandela Day.
These activities include volunteering, sport, art, education, music and culture. Various events are also held on or around July 18 to honor Nelson Mandela’s works and to promote the different projects that were inspired by Mandela’s achievementsCabinet on 1st July 2009 endorsed the call to declare 18th July as global Mandela Day. In November 2009 the United Nations once again declared 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day. All South African, civil society organisations and the citizens of the world supported the Mandela Day initiative by doing acts of good works in their communities.
South Africa's celebration
Mandela Month activities at Boitumelo Special School
The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP, will lead the Mandela Month activities at Boitumelo Special School on Friday, 19 July 2013, in Galeshewe, Kimberley.
Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi adopted Boitumelo Special School in honour of the father of our nation, Tata Mandela. Boitumelo Special School is one of many disadvantaged schools in the Northern Cape and caters for 201 mentally impaired learners aged between 6 and 18 years. The school started as a playgroup for mentally impaired learners in a tennis house at the well-known Yonder and was formally registered with the Department of Education in 1987.
Upon adoption of the school, Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi, commissioned a needs assessment wherein it was established that the school is in dire need of several resources that would make teaching and learning to take place in a more conducive environment.
The Deputy Minister will hand over the following donations/items: R165 000 from sponsors, 30 desks from Working for Water factory, air conditioners from SANParks, Game Kimberly pledged to donate a mobile kitchen, Maphalane Trust pledged to buy a school bus, permaculture food garden from Woolworths, paint from the Provincial Department of Education as well as trees from the Provincial Department of Agriculture. Other partners include Rand Water, Sasol and Eskom.
Amongst other activities of the day, the Deputy Minister will participate during the cleaning, tree planting, fixing of broken windows and cupboards, and painting.
MEC for Environment and Nature Conservation: Patrick Mabilo, Executive Mayor of Francis Baard: Cllr Moloi and Mayor of Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality: Cllr Ntlhangula will join the Deputy Minister during the Mandela Month activities.
Mandela Month activities at Siloe School for the Blind
The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP, will lead the Mandela Month activities at Siloe School for the Blind on Friday, 26 July 2013, in Thokwaneng village, Polokwane.
Executive Mayor of the City of Polokwane, Cllr. Freddy Greaver and Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality, Cllr Lawrence Mapoulo will join the Deputy Minister during the Mandela Month activities.
Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi adopted Siloe School for the Blind in honour of the world icon and father of our nation, Tata Mandela. The school caters for 150 blind, partially sighted and deaf-blind pupils, with 23 educators and 30 support staff.
Upon adoption of the school, Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi commissioned a needs assessment wherein it was established that the school is in dire need of several resources that would make teaching and learning take place in a more conducive environment.
The Deputy Minister will hand over the following donations/items: R165 000, 35 beds, mattresses and bedding, 30 study desks, kitchen trolleys, 2 television sets and two DVD players, industrial washing machine, 200 spoons and plates, 20 wheelie bins, 200 blankets and 28 steel tables, a permaculture food garden sponsored by Woolworths, Lepelle Northern Water pledged to do water connections and rehabilitate boreholes in the school yard, the provincial Departments of Education and Agriculture pledged to donate paint and trees, respectively. Other partners include Rand Water, Lepelle Northern Water, Sasol, MTN, SANParks, Coca Cola Polokwane and Eskom.
Amongst other activities of the day, the Deputy Minister will participate in the cleaning, tree planting, fixing of broken windows and cupboards, as well as painting of the school.
