How to Celebrate Mandela Day from Wherever You Are in the World
From walks to comedy shows and charities to donate to, here are all the ways you can celebrate Mandela Day this year.
Former South African State President, Nelson Mandela, celebrates his 88th birthday with the children at the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.
Mandela Day, designated by the United Nations to honor the life and legacy of South African revolutionary leader Nelson Mandela, is observed annually on July 18 (Mandela’s birthday) with 67 minutes of service. People globally are urged to make a difference, inspire change, contribute to their communities, and embody Mandela’s values through volunteer work and community service.
Read on for ways you can celebrate Mandela Day this year, from wherever you are in the world.
Join the Mandela Day Walk and Run event in Johannesburg (South Africa)
If you’d like an opportunity to engage physically and unite with fellow South Africans in honor of Mandela’s life and legacy, consider participating in the Mandela Day Run and Walk event in Johannesburg. Alternatively, if you are unable to attend in person, a virtual participation option is available worldwide. Registration details can be found at the Mandela Day Walk and Run website.
Volunteer or donate to the Sage Foundation (South Africa)
Out of almost 17 million households in South Africa, 2.6 million and 1.1 million respectively report having inadequate and severely inadequate access to food. In honor of Nelson Mandela’s legacy and social impact, the Sage Foundation in South Africa is organizing a reach-out and preparing meals for disadvantaged families in South Africa. Visit here to volunteer and donate.
Join the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for its #PrisonMatters campaign (Nigeria)
On July 18th, the UNODC will be organizing the #PrisonersMatter campaign, advocating for the global implementation of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules. Worldwide, prisoners are frequently stigmatized instead of being viewed as individuals who deserve rehabilitation and preparation for reintegrating into society. The Mandela Rules aim to shift this paradigm, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Nigeria is dedicated to advancing this cause. Discover more about the campaign and how to get involved here.
Catch Raiid Moosa’s Mandela Day show in Cape Town (South Africa)
Comedian and actor Raiid Moosa is doing a comedy show in Rosmead, Cape Town in association with Gift of the Givers and The Healthcare Workers for Palestine. Their mission is to bring laughter to you, and also launch the Ubuntu Bucket drive, an initiative to feed a malnourished family of four for a month. Register for the show here.
Join Mandela8 and Liverpool BID Company’s Acts of Kindness campaign (United Kingdom)
If you are in Liverpool, join Mandela8 and Liverpool BID to participate in Acts of Kindness on July 18 - which will include mindfulness sessions and litter clean-ups at Old Hall Street, Hope Street, and Princes Park. Additionally, there is a combined litter pick and boat cruise organized with the Canal & River Trust.
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Other organizations to support to commemorate Mandela Day are below:
Atlas Kinder orphanage (Morocco)
Atlas Kinder, supported by DIGNITE International, is an orphanage that offers a future to 185 orphans in Marrakech through education, love, art, and culture. DIGNITE International, an NGO founded in 2014, operates to preserve human dignity globally, responding to emergencies, fostering self-sufficiency, and advocating for humanitarian causes in regions including Somalia, Chad and Palestine.
Road to Freedom charity (United Kingdom)
If you’re in the U.K., you can donate to Road to Freedom, a non-profit charity that provides refugees fleeing war-torn countries with immediate aid and long-term support. They’re especially active in Egypt at the moment, supporting Sudanese and Palestinian refugees.
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