Mandala Day is annually celebrated on the 18th of July. The date was chosen specifically because it was Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s birthday. He was born in Mvezo in 1918 and died in 2013, at the age of 95 years. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for Treason, after the Rivonia trial, on Robben Island from 1964 to 1982. Thereafter, in Pollsmoor and Victor Vester prisons until his release in 1990. Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first black president after apartheid ended. He held office from 1994 to 1999. After his retirement, President Mandela, continued his philanthropic and activist work.
What’s Mandela Day About?
It’s about spending 67 minutes out and about doing something helpful for someone else. It could require you to step out of your comfort zone, volunteer and practically lend a hand. Alternatively, you may pledge time, money or items to a cause you support. Many people and businesses choose to group together to do something alongside an existing organisation. Others identify a need within their community and work out how to address it. It’s about making a difference, inspiring change and ideally taking up something that helps make a positive impact.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Mandela Day
Why 67 Minutes?
The time of 67 minutes is in memory of the 67 years of Nelson Mandela’s service to the public. It has become a global celebration of his life’s contributions towards peace and freedom.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Nelson Mandela
Can my 67 Minutes really make a Difference?
Your 67 minutes can make a difference to someone else’s life. It’s not about you changing the world, it’s about your making a contribution towards changing someone’s life. And thereby creating a positive impact in the world. As such, there are many ways for you to do it.
You can join an organised group activity, assist a charity or help someone you know. There are no restrictions on time. And many people contribute more than 67 minutes towards their chosen good deed. Here are 20 options through which you can make a difference this 18th of July.
20 Things You can Do for Nelson Mandela Day
- Make sandwiches and distribute them to a community play-school.
- Volunteer to read to kids at a children’s home or community library.
- Tutor at a homework group.
- Visit an old age home and chat to the residents.
- Practically help someone you know, such as a single parent, an elderly or disabled neighbour.
- Bake something for your local service people, such as police or firefighters.
- Organise a tea party for caregivers.
- Do some maintenance for a charity or non-profit organisation – help paint, clean or repair.
- Remove graffiti.
- Clean up a beach or other public recreational area.
- Plant a tree, some greenery or flowers where it can be enjoyed by a community.
- Knit beanies or blankets for new babies at a public maternity hospital.
- Donate blood.
- Become an organ donor.
- Make a monetary contribution to a charity or non-profit you support.
- Sponsor a child(ren) to go to a holiday club or afterschool care.
- Purchase and distribute charity vouchers, such as U-turn vouchers, to people living on the street.
- Donate clothes, furniture, appliances and new toiletries to an organisation that distributes them to those in need.
- Host a movie night with friends and watch a social issue documentary or movie.
- Support a local home industry.
Making a Difference for Longer than 67 Minutes
Equip yourself to be an effective and efficient manager or leader. This will put you in a position where you are able to positively impact other people’s lives. The South African School of Applied Psychology (SACAP) has full and part-time Management and Leadership Courses. These can be studied on one of the 4 South African SACAP campuses or online. Enrol today and start your journey towards excelling as a leader and manager.
