Celebrating Madiba

18 JULY 2020

MADIBA

How will YOU help South Africa for

67

MINUTES TODAY? Nelson Mandela, 1961. | ALF KHUMALO ANA Archives

AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY

CONTENTS

M A D I B A Editor Lance Witten

lance.witten@africannewsagency.com

M A D I B A Designer

WHY 67 MINUTES

Dominique Owen

Pictures: ANA Archives Text: Studio Independent, ANA

WHAT YOU CAN DO LEADER AMONG LEADERS WORDS OF WISDOM A STRUGGLE FOR CHANGE FATHER OF THE NATION 260 HONOURS IN A LIFETIME WHAT A GOOD SPORT

EDITOR’S NOTE I fail daily. I’m prejudiced. I’m judgmental. I reap the benefits of patriarchy. I don’t always use my position of power or my voice to the benefit of those less fortunate than me.

I’m not asking myself every day: “Am I living up to Nelson Mandela’s legacy?”

And I really should.

I’ve travelled fairly widely across the world, and everywhere South Africans go, we’re identified by the unifying statement: “Ah, yes!

The land of Mandela.”

And the Father of our Nation left some pretty big shoes to fill.

Released from prison after 27 years, emerging with forgiveness and nation building in his heart; putting the country’s needs and desires above his own; inspiring us to trophies in the Rugby World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations with his Madiba magic, he inspired the world.

Global leaders worth their salt all quote him and aspire to

live their lives and lead like he did. But do we, his children, do the same?

We have the chance to be reminded every year on July 18 to do just 67 minutes of good. One minute for every year he spent in public service, fighting the good fight for equality, dignity and human rights. Madiba spent 67 years putting others above himself, and all we have to do is give up an hour and a bit of our year to try to emulate him?

And we fail?

I know it’s hard – we don’t all have the financial means to meaningfully impact the lives of others. Maybe we genuinely don’t have the time. But we have our demeanour. We have our daily interactions, digital or physical, where we have an opportunity to be nice to one another.

But we don’t. I don’t.

I fail, daily. But with that acknowledgement comes a commitment to do better, every day.

This Mandela Day, remember that none of us are perfect; but our striving for perfection can be. Do what you can every day to embody the spirit of Madiba, little by little, making the world a better place.

Lance Witten

CELEBRATING MANDELA DAY 18th July 2020

WHY

67 MINUTES

WHY DO WE SPEND 67 MINUTES DOING GOOD ON NELSON MANDELA DAY? Some people have the mistaken belief it’s the

In 1942, Nelson Mandela completed his BA at UNISA, and began attending meetings of the African National Congress (ANC), and two years later co-founded the ANC Youth League.

On his 91st birthday, in 2009, the United Nations declared his birthday, 18 July, “Nelson Mandela International Day”. That was 67 years spent in public service, championing human rights.

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR MANDELA DAY? No matter how small your action, Mandela Day is about changing the world for the better, just as Nelson Mandela did every day. Some suggestions of what to do:

number of years he spent imprisoned for fighting for what is right, while others believe it may have something to do with his age or his cell number. But public service, and when Nelson Mandela International Day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009, the campaign message read: “Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes.”

ORGANISE A PRAYER MEETING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY.

OFFER TO FIX THINGS AT A LOCAL SCHOOL OR ORGANISATION (PAINT, BROKEN WINDOWS, ETC).

OFFER YOUR SKILLS (FINANCE, MARKETING, ETC.) TO HELP AN ORGANISATION RUN MORE EFFICIENTLY.

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AS AN OFFICE, MAKE SANDWICHES TO GIVE TO PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREET – AND WHY NOT SIT AND HAVE LUNCH WITH THEM?

OFFER TO READ STORIES TO CHILDREN AT A CHILDREN’S HOME.

“Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear.

That is why it it such a powerful weapon.”

- Nelson Mandela

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COLLECT AND DISTRIBUTE CHILDREN’S BOOKS TO UNDER-RESOURCED SCHOOLS.

Timothy Alexander/African News Agency (ANA) SOURCE: clipartpng.com, freepik.com, Baobob.com, springsadvertiser.co.za, mandeladay.com

the fact is, that Nelson Mandela spent 67 years in

“

Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”

Nelson Mandela

Assemble a box of goodies for children in need: Christel House in Ottery invites you to use your 67 minutes to assemble an essential Covid19 goody bag worth R150 for a pupil in need. Suggested items for each bag include food, cloth masks and hand sanitiser. You can drop off the parcel at Christel House school on July 17 between 10.30am and 1pm.

Donate your time to helping children

VFC – Mandela Virtual 67km Race VFC calls on runners, cyclists and walkers to take part in a 67km virtual race! All proceeds go to the Nelson Mandela Children’s fund.

Visit their website for more information. Entry costs R250 per person.

Mama Themba: Non-profit organisation Mama Themba will be donating Care Bags for mothers at Maccassar Hospital and Helderberg Hospital. Each Care Bag contains a mask, a blanket, warm baby outfits, a jersey with a beanie and booties, disposable nappies, sanitary pads and baby toiletry items. Visit their Facebook page.

CROW – Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife: The Durban-based organisation focuses on the conservation of all wild animals and this year will be donating time while working on maintenance in and around their enclosures.

Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Graphic by Keagan le Grange

How you can observe Mandela Day during Covid-19 pandemic KELLY-JANE TURNER

Nelson Mandela International Day will look very different this year due to the Covid-19 outbreak, however, this has not stopped determined organisations from making an impact in their communities.

Here’s how you can help pay it forward this year on Mandela Day:

Ladles of Love: Register and participate in an attempt to make 125 000 sandwiches in an hour from the safety of your own home. Visit Ladles of Love on Facebook.

Donate your time to food drives

The Coronavirus Action Committee: For more than 10 weeks, the committee has been running food kitchens and distributing hampers in

various communities. The group will continue to feed those in need or who have been affected by Covid-19. Contact Clive Pillay at 061 429 2574.

Paying the way forward – Winter food and blanket drive: Blankets, warm clothing and food are some of the most important items that can be donated. Heading up the initiative, Latifah Jacobs says the proceeds of the drive will be distributed to Sophia Town, the homeless in Kuilsriver, and to the elderly in these areas.

Thando Mlambo-Manyathi, who had an operation to correct a rare condition and allow her to smile for the first time, was a guest at former President Nelson Mandela’s 82nd birthday party at his home in Houghton in 2000. Mandela was instrumental in raising funds for Thando’s operation. | ALF KUMALO ANA Archives

Dogtown SA: While not being able to host physical events, Dogtown SA appeals to the public to donate R67 towards their Mandela Solar Project. Visit the Dogtown South Africa Facebook page.

Martyn Lombard adopted Bingo from the SPCA in Durban this week. | SHELLEY KJONSTAD | ANA

Donate your time or money to help animals

SPCA: Durban and Coastal SPCA, and Kloof SPCA have been hard hit because their fundraising events and charity/thrift shops were closed during the lockdown. Donate your unwanted items to them.

Donate your time to raising funds Relate Bracelets: Purchase a Relate bracelet for only R35.

All proceeds donated to the Nelson Mandela School Project, an initiative that deploys libraries throughout the country.

For more information, visit their website.

WE’VE GOT MADIBA’S INSPIRATIONAL NUMBERS

4 6 6 6 4

LEADER among leaders Inspired greatness in people of diverse backgrounds Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s character and persistence to make right what was wrong in South Africa gained him the respect of world leaders and people of influence.

Madiba was a leader of leaders.

But to be a leader, you must submit to leadership.

Walter Sisulu was Mandela’s friend, confidante and mentor, writes South Africa Online.

Sisulu played a key role in

CHOOSE YOUR NUMBERS. HAPPY MANDELA DAY #46664

Mandela’s political education.

He mentored Madiba, like a father to a son.

Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda, in an article in New Africa Magazine, said: “He was a brother, a brother in the common struggle for a liberated Africa. Today we are all free to create a better Africa on our terms because of his sacrifice.”

In a UN report celebrating Madiba’s 94th birthday, Jeff Radebe said Africa and the world has changed since 1918, when Madiba was born: “It is symbolic that Madiba was born at the height of World War I, when the dream of a peaceful world, which Mandela had tirelessly

worked for, was unimaginable.”

According to a report by VOA news, on the passing of Madiba in 2013, former US President Barack Obama called Mandela’s widow Graça Machel to express his condolences and explain Mandela’s influence on his life.

Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general said he had the opportunity to see Mandela in tough negotiations like those in Burundi, where he was trying to get factions to put down their guns and make peace.

“When he saw what was going on around him, he said: ‘You men make me ashamed to be African’,” according to South Africa online. | ANA

TERRY VAN DER WALT

Nelson Mandela had a way with words, chose his wisely and used his distinctive voice to champion many causes during his lifetime.

Children were closest to his heart, and he never missed a chance to interact with them, and they flocked to him wherever he made an appearance.

At the Food for Life Festival in Durban in 1997 he told his young audience: “It always gives me great pleasure to be surrounded by the beautiful children of our land. Whenever I am with energetic young people such as yourselves, I feel like a recharged battery, confident that our country can look forward to great things. You are the future of this country – you are the people who will lead us into the next century.”

And he always remained positive, even when there had been set-backs or losses.

His wise words apply to the situation our country – and the world – faces as the Covid19 pandemic assumes a life of its own.

He had this to say at a summit on rural safety in Midrand on October 10, 1998: “South Africans are a daring people who do not shy away from a challenge, no matter how formidable.”

In a letter to Winnie Mandela, written on Robben Island on June 24, 1969, he wrote: “Disasters will always come and go, leaving their victims either completely broken or steeled and seasoned and better able to face the next crop of challenges that may occur.”

He held dear the notion that obstacles can be overcome, which he conveyed to Winnie: “Hope is a powerful weapon and no one power on earth can deprive you of.”

His support of science and the world of medicine was well known. He said this in his address at the second International Aids Society Conference on HIV pathogenesis and treatment in Paris, France, on July 3, 2003: “The role of scientific knowledge is to ensure that decisions are made based on fact and knowledge, rather than belief, myth and superstition.”

And he could have been talking to all the front-line medical workers battling the pandemic, when he spoke about integrity at the British Red Cross Humanity lecture in London on July 10, 2003: “Those who conduct themselves with morality, integrity and consistency need not fear the forces of inhumanity and cruelty.”

Quotes taken from the book Nelson Mandela By Himself.

“The role of scientific knowledge is to ensure that decisions are made based on fact and knowledge, rather than belief, myth and superstition.”

Words of WISDOM Nelson Mandela dances on stage at the ANC 85th Anniversary, Botshabelo Stadium, January 1997. | ANA Archives

MICHELLE LORBER

A STRUGGLE Mandela introduced programmes, commissions to redress societal divisions

Millions of people in the world's poorest countries remain imprisoned, enslaved, and in chains.

They are trapped in the prison of poverty. It is time to set them free.” Nelson Mandela With what is happening nationally due to the pandemic and the impact it has had on us coupled with cold front experience, Mustadafin Foundation partnered with other NGOs this week for Mandela Week.

Feeding over 50 areas with the goal of providing one million meals in partnership with the Do More Foundation reaching as far as Beaufort West.

Mustadafin alone is providing 26 786 meals per day through the initiative. This year with the covid-19 regulations things are bit different but we can still add value to the 67 minutes of Mandela Day. Mustadafin calls on everyone to support the R67 for 67 minutes of Mandela” drive which will be running for the entire month of July. This will be in support of our winter drive also.

Donate R67 and provide five hot meals to those in need. Imagine the difference that one meal can make in the life of the homeless, destitute and deprived.

People can get in touch with us via 021633 0010 or visit 154 Antelope Street Bridgetown or 24 corner Boeschoten and Thornton Road Athlone Cash donations are welcome at Mustadafin Foundation, Standard Bank, Vangate Mall, Account number 072778377, Branch Code 025909, ref: Covid-19 ‘If every man helps his neighbour, then who will need help?’

FOR CHANGE

Mandela’s lifelong struggle for the people of South Africa was a dedicated effort to call forth equality. Despite monumental challenges, during his term of presidency he managed to bring about some of the most meaningful changes to the country.

At the start of his presidency, he arranged for the establishment of the Human Rights Commission, which protects human rights for everyone without bias.

The Commission for Gender Equality was formed, giving women one of the most comprehensive constitutional collections of rights.

The Office of the Public Protector was started to correct and address any unacceptable conduct shown in State affairs.

The ending of the 100 laws governing Press Freedom meant the press could now write about statements made and activities conducted by political parties, which had been previously banned from mention.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission programme is regarded as a shining example of mediation and a template for bringing together divided people.

The Reconstruction and Development Programme was founded to redress the inequality caused by apartheid, and create a future that is democratic, and free of race or gender bias.

Seven hundred thousand houses were supplied to poor families.

More access was created to water and electricity. Mandela was involved in building 140 schools.

During his tenure, Mandela blocked laws that were racist and set up organisations that left us a lasting legacy of love and compassion and made a profound difference to his people.

And that legacy lives on through the actions of people across the country and all over the world on Mandela Day.

Nelson Mandela was known for his fondness of all children. | ANA Archives

FATHER OF THE NATION ‘TATA MADIBA’ PUT HIS HEART, HIS TIME, AND HIS MONEY INTO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF SOUTH AFRICA’S CHILDREN

| ANA Archives

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

These are the words of President Nelson Mandela who loved children.

Mandela, the father of the nation, spent a lot of his time during his presidency and retirement with – children.

During his term as president, he gave half of his salary to children and ensured that their rights were enshrined in the Constitution. The Bill of Rights states that every child has the right to education.

In 1993, when he received the Nobel Peace Prize, Mandela donated part of his R11.7 million award to disadvantaged children.

For his work with children, in 2005, he received the World’s Children’s Prize

followed by the 2009 Decade Child Rights Hero award for his lifelong work in addressing the struggles of South African children before, during and postapartheid.

In 2009, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital trust was established as he envisioned world-class health care for children.

In 2016, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital was opened to treat critically ill children from across the country.

He also started the Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund. The foundation focuses on creating positive and safe environments for the welfare of children.

The money raised by the fund is also used to assist organisations across the nation that work with underprivileged children. | Robin-Lee Francke

“

No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

Nelson Mandela

Murals of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela adorn a wall along Longmarket St in the Cape Town CBD.

260 in a LIFETIME We should all honour him by emulating the values the statesman stood for In his time, the late Nelson Mandela provided leadership by casting away suspicions and stigma of HIV and Aids.

He told the world his son died of the virus and warned people to be careful.

Mandela addressed the social conditions that led to the easy spread of Aids, from poverty and overcrowding. He talked, even then, of ending stigma and encouraging condom use.

During this Covid-19 pandemic, where the virus is killing and dismantling people’s lives, Mandela would have encouraged people to be more compassionate and urged them to take caution.

Every year on July 18, the world celebrates Mandela Day. The day is a global call that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an impact.

The Mandela Day campaign message is that Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years, and people can take 67 minutes of their time to help the less fortunate.

For his selflessness, Mandela received more than 260 awards over 40 years, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 following his release from prison after 27 years.

Even though he has passed on, his legacy and teachings continue to live on among people.

In December, 2018, Global Citizen Festival brought together its largest contingency of heads of state, dignitaries, a group of the world’s most talented artists and influencers, and thousands of global citizens to celebrate the centenary of Mandela. | ANA

Runner, soccer player and boxer who chose to fight for freedom

At the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final. | DUIF DU TOIT ANA Archives

What a GOOD SPORT!

ROBIN-LEE FRANCKE

Mandela proved to the universe that uniting a nation through sport was possible. In his younger days, Mandela was an avid runner, boxer and soccer player.

While imprisoned at Robben Island, Mandela supported the soccer team established in the prison, although he was unable to play as he spent his time in solitary confinement.

His love for boxing led him to befriend one of the most celebrated athletes of the 20th century, world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, a boxer and a civil rights activist and philanthropist – much like Mandela.

During apartheid, participation in national sports was mostly restricted to whites. However, once Mandela was elected president in 1994, a journey of transformation began in South African sport. In

1995, when South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup, Mandela attended the finals between the Springboks and long-time rivals the All Blacks at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.

Many would say this was the moment a divided nation was united, after South Africa beat New Zealand 15-12 in extra time.

In that moment, South Africans of all races watched as Mandela stepped up and stood alongside then Bok captain Francois Pienaar to congratulate the team and hand him the Webb Ellis Cup. If he were alive today, we can only imagine how he would feel knowing that the same country for which he fought and sacrificed himself, won the Rugby World Cup in 2019 – this time at the helm of its first black captain, Siya Kolisi, who has been recognised as the most influential person in rugby.

Watch: https://youtu.be/lEfGjJWY69E

Nelson Mandela celebrating his 85th birthday with his wife Graca Machel. | ANA Archives

“

In my country we go to prison first and then become President.�

Nelson Mandela

Madiba at the 46664 Concert at Fancourt in March 2005. | ANA Archives A 1987 Nelson Mandela calender. | ANA Archives