Programme Director
The Premier of the North West Province, Premier Thandi Modise
MECs here present
The Chief Whip of the Majority Party, Honourable Mathole Motshekga
Members of Parliament
Mayors and Councillors here present
Leaders of political parties
Members of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen.
We have convened this media briefing to announce details of this year’s Mandela Day and Week celebrations. The Department of Arts and Culture will this year work with the Office of the Chief Whip, the North West Provincial Government and the Nelson Mandela Foundation to host the
commemorations of Nelson Mandela Week with the main event being Mandela Day on the 18th of July.
On the 18th of July the people of South Africa and the world will unite in celebration of one of the living icons of our time, Seapara nkwe, former President Nelson Mandela. The Day will mark Madiba's 94th birthday.
The 18th of July was declared in 2009 by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Nelson Mandela Day. The celebration of Mandela Day recognises and honours our former President’s commitment to the objective of building a National Democratic Society; that is united, non racial, non sexist, democratic and prosperous.
It also honours his contribution to the reconstruction and development of our country and to the equally important task of building a Better Africa and a Better World. On that day, and indeed during the entire month of July, citizens of the world and in particular all South Africans, are encouraged to dedicate at least 67 minutes of their time to do community work in celebration of the values and principles that our first democratic President stood for.
The 67 minutes symbolise Madiba's 67 years of selfless service to the people of South Africa and the world in the course of his extraordinary life. Nelson Mandela Day is an opportunity for all South Africans to set aside time to be of service to fellow human beings.
Activities for this year's Nelson Mandela Week celebrations, starting on the 9th to the 18th of July, will include:
- Unveiling of tomb stones of former freedom fighters
- Cleaning of graves
- Beautification of schools and old age homes
- Flying the South African flag in schools
- Developmental workshops for emerging artists
- Handing out of blankets
- Assisting in maintaining back yard food gardens
- Donation of books to community libraries
- Immunisation programme.
On the 18th of July, before the main Mandela Day celebrations which will be held at the Dinokana Stadium in Zeerust, President Zuma, Ministers, Premiers, Members of Parliament and of Provincial Legislatures, Mayors and Councillors will set aside time to do community service.
On that day and the weeks that follow, as South Africans we will have an opportunity to make a positive and meaningful difference in our communities.
Activities such as assisting someone to fill a form, helping an orphan to obtain an identity document or birth certificate, assisting the elderly with their shopping, volunteering at a local school and many other forms of community service may seem mundane, yet very important to those who receive such assistance.
In a speech delivered in 2009 Madiba said, “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference”.
It is in this context that we call on South Africans to take action now and “Make Every Day a Mandela Day”. Nelson Mandela Day Celebrations are also an opportunity to promote social cohesion, national healing and nation building.
We take this opportunity to urge all government departments and municipalities, the private sector and local communities to initiate activities that are aimed achieving the objectives of Nelson Mandela Day throughout the country.
Let us all individually and collectively strive to become agents for building a better and caring society.
Thank you.
