Many South Africans are rolling up their sleeves today to do their bit for humanity by sacrificing 67 minutes or more in service of the needy, in tribute to former President Nelson Mandela.
Since the world can no longer sing “Happy Birthday” to Madiba today, all that remains is to honour his selfless spirit.
The following are some of the many good deeds planned for Mandela Day today.
- An Eastern Cape draughts champ, Melikhaya Nonyukela, of Cisira Location in Peddie, will be given funding of R30000 plus sports gear for when he represents South Africa in the US from July 24 to 27.
Ngqushwa mayor Mnikelo Siwisa will do the handover today and later he will join Meals on Wheels to treat 500 elderly residents to lunch.
The trade union is holding its national Mandela Day event by painting the interior and exterior of the home which houses 46 people.
Each resident will also receive a blanket and lunch.
Children whose deceased fathers were Popcru activists, will be honoured with gifts and treated to jumping castles and slides.
- Kumkani FM and Crickley Juice staff are spending their 67 minutes at the Sange’s Children’s Home at Chicken Farm today.
The home will be scrubbed by the team while radio staff entertain them.
A Mandela legacy canvas, which was bought on a fundraising auction by the British American Tobacco Company, will be unveiled this morning and become a permanent exhibit.
Later this evening, the Department of Arts and Culture and the museum will host a dialogue with the theme “Critical Reflection on the Legacies of Nelson Mandela and OR Tambo”.
- Animal lovers will be getting stuck in at the East London SPCA which has made a call for them to spend their 67 minutes gardening, repairing the aviary and donating dog and cat food, toys or cash to help the organisation pay its medication bills. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za