Nelson Mandela International Day: A Decade of Giving

As Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated for the 10th year, thousands of South Africans will be heading out to spend their 67 minutes in commemoration of the late former president Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

Mandela would have turned 101 on July 18.

The concept to celebrate his birthday by doing an act of kindness was first introduced in 2009 by former president Jacob Zuma.

The idea behind the concept was to get the public involved in charitable activities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will kick-start the day by visiting RX Radio, the Red Cross Children’s Hospital radio station that is staffed by children at the hospital in Rondebosch, Cape Town.

Ramaphosa will be interviewed by the young hosts, which will be broadcast to children and staff at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, together with the City of Ekurhuleni, will be supporting four local charities that represent its focus areas – shelter, early childhood development, active citizenship, as well as food and nutrition.