Mandela Day – proving that 67 minutes can make a real difference

By Omphile Khutsoane, Intern, SAEON Arid Lands Node

On Mandela Day, people around the world devote time to remembering how one man prevailed against all odds to make a real difference, and thereby change the world.

To celebrate the Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela legend, people are encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to doing something good for humanity. This year, for the first time, the global community celebrated Mandela’s birthday without him, sad to have lost such a great man. 

A job well done - SAEON staff and the children of the Thusong Centre devoted their 67 minutes to cleaning up the outside of the Centre and its surroundings

In South Africa Mandela Day is celebrated on 18 July each year. To mark this special day, staff members of SAEON's Arid Lands Node visited the Thusong Children Centre, which harbours 56 learners. Thusong means ‘place of help’ in Sotho, and the Centre provides shelter, support and a loving environment for kids who would otherwise be deprived.

The SAEON team interacted with the kids and jointly cleaned up the outside of the Centre and its surroundings - altogether 22 rubbish bags full. The aim was not only for SAEON to devote precious time to a needy community, but also to increase awareness among these children of the benefits of living in an environment conducive to health and personal growth and wellbeing, and especially what each person can do to make a difference.

Halala Tata halala Robala ka kagiso!