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Nelson Mandela Day 2015: Apartheid Activist Remembered With Good Deeds

By Joe Chivers
Published on: 06:36 PST, Jul 18, 2015

People around the world are celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day, remembering Mandela’s apartheid activism and his fight for social justice on what would be his 97th birthday. The day’s aim is to encourage people to make a small difference in the world, to help them commit just 67 minutes of their day to a cause. Why 67 minutes? As the official Mandela Day website says, 67 is the number of years Mandela himself worked for change.

“Nelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life to the struggle for human rights and social justice. The United Nations joins the Mandela Foundation in asking people around the world to devote at least 67 minutes of their time on 18 July — Madiba’s birthday — to a community service activity.”

In a related article from the Inquisitr, you can check out some suggestions on how to celebrate Mandela’s spirit and help others today.

So how are people around the world spending their 67 minutes? In South Africa, Madiba’s home country and scene of Mandela’s apartheid activism, ending in him becoming President in 1994, people from all walks of life are doing their bit. NBC News reports that his ex-wife, Winnie, hosted a lunch for poor and aged women before handing out blankets.

The Associated Press quoted one of the recipients of a blanket, 77-year-old Elizabeth Khoba, who told them that although it was a happy occasion, it was also tainted with memories from worse times.

“It makes me happy but it reminds me of the past, of the apartheid years.”

The AP also reported that many ordinary South Africans are also taking on the spirit of Mandela Day, handing out books, toys, and other goods, over the length and breadth of the country. Organizations have also been getting in on the action, with Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport tweeting that they will be doing their bit.

Although the world’s focus naturally falls on South Africa, the message of Mandela Day is being taken to heart the world over. The U.N. report that volunteers in Geneva will be helping out the city’s poor and downtrodden. In New York City, U.N. volunteers will be working with several organizations to help shape up some of the city’s community gardens.

Today is a day to remember one of the world’s great activists. Nelson Mandela fought for social justice his entire life, helping change South Africa and the world as we know it. I’ll leave you with a quote to inspire you, and remember – every one of us can make a difference.

Let us know your thoughts and experiences from Nelson Mandela Day in the comments below!

[Photo by Hamish Blair/Liaison via Gettyimages]

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