Today is Nelson Mandela Day. A day to commemorate the remarkable man and his legacy. Today also marks what would have been Mandela’s 100th birthday, making it an extra poignant occasion.
First recognised by the United Nations in 2009, Mandela Day is a global call to action celebrating the idea that everyone has the power to transform the world and the ability to make an impact.
The South African activist suffered 27 years in prison as a victim of apartheid before becoming the nation’s first black president. He stepped down in 1999 and passed away on December 5 2013 at the age of 95.
Each year on the 18th of July, Mandela’s contribution is marked in South Africa through citizens giving 67 minutes of their time to make a positive contribution in their communities.
“Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation
To mark the occasion here in Australia, South African Tourism invited 67 of its trade partners, including KARRYON, to participate in “Cooking for a Cause” an interactive cooking session at OzHarvest with a team of professional chefs.
Together we are preparing South African-inspired meals from rescued food which will be distributed to those in need.
South African Airways, on the other hand, has announced a three-day sale on flights to South Africa with all-inclusive airfares to Johannesburg from $1,167.
Cape Town, South Africa.
The carrier is encouraging people to discover the legacy of Nelson Mandela through travelling to South Africa on this special fare.
“Travel to the place of his birth in the Eastern Cape and his modest home in Vilakazi Street Soweto. Visit Cape Town to take the ferry to Robben Island where he spent eighteen of the twenty-seven years of his incarceration and stand at the steps of City Hall where he made his first public speech hours after he was given his freedom.”
South African Airways
No matter how small your action today, Mandela Day is about changing the world for the better, just as Nelson Mandela did every day.
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