Ministers, celebrities, you – do if for Madiba

BORN on July, 18 1918, Nelson Mandela fought for social justice for 67 years.

In honouring his legacy, many South Africans will on Tuesday spend at least 67 minutes involved in community work, dedicating themselves to improving the lives of the poor and uplifting those in need, to build a united and more caring society.

Mandela once said each individual had the power to transform the world and the ability to make an impact.

The office of the presidency said the theme for Nelson Mandela International Day was “Action against poverty”.

President Jacob Zuma said that the collaboration of various stakeholders in fighting poverty in the country had been commendable.

He called on all sectors of society to continue working with government to fight poverty, inequality and unemployment to improve the living conditions of the poor and the working class.

Public Works Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko will be at Ndabayakhe Primary school in Empangeni, Kwazulunatal. He will lead a variety of activities such as painting and cleaning at the school, identified as disadvantaged.

The Department of Science and Technology will focus on improving teaching and learning at underprivileged schools. Its programme will include painting classrooms at Khulubone Primary in Mtubatuba, where Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Zanele kamagwaza-msibi and the director-general, Dr Phil Mjwara, will lead.

Mandela’s widow, Graça Machel, and Chief Mandla Mandela will be among the volunteers who will assist Stop Hunger Now SA.

They aim to package more than 3 million nutritious meals that will be handed over to Early Childhood Development facilities which look after vulnerable children.

In KZN, the volunteers from Stop Hunger Now SA will be at Midlands Liberty Mall in Pietermaritzburg.

Hillcrest Aids Centre has called on people to take part in its sticker challenge to raise awareness and support for its respite unit.

The aim is for each person to sell 67 stickers for R10 each, in 67 minutes.

CCI South Africa, with the Reach Feeding Scheme, will be providing food parcels to the underprivileged.

They have roped in celebrities such as actress Gugu Gumede, TV presenter Minnie Dlamini and artists from Afrotainment.

The annual Mandela Day marathon will take place over two days, August 26 and 27, with Absa bank the sponsor for the next three years.

For mountain bikers, the Mandela Day Marathon MTB Dash starts and finishes on August 26 at the Mandela capture site near Howick.

The 42km, 21km and 10km races are part of a weekend of events that include a road marathon, trail runs, a fun run and a triathlon.

Private companies have heeded the call and will be helping on Tuesday.