Halala ngosuku lokuzalwa Nelson Mandela!

Today South Africa celebrates Nelson Mandela’s 94th birthday. Mandela’s birthday has now become the Madiba (or Mandela) Day. Madiba Day encourages people to take 67 minutes of their day to improve the lives of their fellow citizens. 67 is a significant number because Mandela spent 67 years of his life serving the people of his country and the world. Mandela inspired his people to take action to change the world for the better. He promotes people to “Take Action; Inspire Change: Make Every Day a Mandela Day”. I think that Nelson Mandela is an inspirational person; not only because of the amazing things he did to help put an end to the Apartheid, but for his will and drive to never back down from the things he believed in. I believe he has lessons we can all learn and grow from.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color 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

I have been excited for Madiba Day; excited to get out into the community to help people in need, but also excited to see people working together towards a better South Africa. To start Madiba Day off, Ron and I went to one of the local schools to collect warm clothes and food that some of the children have collected.

We combined our blankets, food, and warm clothes with that of the school and off we went. We (Ron, Mandla, and I) headed out to the rural areas and a crèche. 37 people received a blanket and a food parcel. After the blankets were gone, we handed out warm clothes that we have been collecting for a few months. Most of the people had no idea that we were coming and that made it really special. They just kept saying “siyabonga uNkulunkulu” (thank you God) and “uNkulunkulu akubusise” God Bless you). I was really happy to be a part of this great day and I look forward to partaking in it next year!