International Mandela Day; activities

The month of July is celebrated in government as moral regeneration month. This serves as a clarion call to all South Africans to contribute in making South Africa a better nation. At the national social cohesion summit convened by the National Department of Arts and Culture in Soweto, President JG Zuma said the following with regards to moral regeneration in South Africa.

" It is a national effort that requires the views of many sectors and stakeholders. And we are under no illusion that it is going to be easy. The South African Nation is a product of many streams of history and culture, representing the origins, dispersal and re-integration of humanity over hundreds of years."

More significantly on 18 July 2012 we celebrate the icon of nation as this day has been declared by the United Nations as International Mandela day. Former President Mandela became the epitome of striving for human dignity and prosperity. He dedicated his life to ensuring that not just South Africa, but the world, becomes a place in which every human-being can make a significant contribution.

As a country, South Africans are challenged to dedicate 67 minutes of their time in service of fellow South Africans. The significance of the 67 minutes is in line with the years that President Mandela contributed towards bringing about a just society in South Africa.

The Northern Cape Provincial Government will take the lead in ensuring that the contribution of former President Nelson Mandela is acknowledged through the participation of various Government departments and officials. Departments will in line with their line function engage in services that will be beneficial to the community or project that they will target.

We encourage communities to be actively involved in these programmes and to encourage every member within their community to participate. Communities should further develop and engage in their own programmes that will contribute towards changing the conditions within the particular community. It is further important that the celebrations of Nelson Mandela International Day become community centred and driven, with each and every community member making a significant contribution.

Let us dedicate our time, energies and resources to make a difference in the lives our fellow country men and women, in the spirit of celebrating the sacrifice Tata Madiba made to make South Africa a better place.

It is in giving unto others that we shall receive in abundance.

The programme of the provincial government will take place in the Namakwa District from the 17 – 19 July 2012.

All other activities by different departments will take place throughout the province, with activities ranging from cleaning and painting, soup kitchens, dog spraying, handing out of school uniform, handing out of sanitary towels, distributing educational toys, handing over houses, giving out blankets and clothing to Old Age homes.

These activities will be coupled with the Executive Council Meeting which will also sit in the Namakwa District on the 18 July 2012.