NELSON MANDELA DAY CELEBRATIONS
18 JULY 2011

The Northern Cape Provincial Government is indeed pleased to join millions of people across the globe to celebrate on Monday, 18 July, the 93rd birthday of one of the living icons of our time, Isithwalandwe, President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

The auspicious day of 18 July was also declared in 2009 by the United Nations General Assembly as the annual international Nelson Mandela Day.

The celebration of Nelson Mandela Day recognises and honours our Founding Father’s commitment to the objective of building a National Democratic Society that is united, non racial, non-sexist and prosperous.

Mandela’s selfless struggle and sacrifice has made him a universal symbol of hope, freedom, courage, peace, justice and equality all over the world.

This day also honours Madiba’s contributions to the reconstruction and development of our country and to the equally important task of building a better Africa and a better World.

On this day, and indeed during the entire month of July, all South Africans are encouraged to dedicate at least 67 minutes of their time to do community work to make a positive difference in the lives of their fellow citizens.

Not only does this occasion present us with an opportunity to make positive and meaningful changes in our communities, it can also act as a catalyst for personal renewal ranging from spirituality to morality; from indifference to caring and from love to compassion.

The theme for this year’s Nelson Mandela Day is: “Working together to build a caring society”. This theme implores all South Africans to collectively work together to build a more caring, just and non-racial society.

The Northern Cape Provincial Government will take the lead in ensuring that the contribution of President Mandela is acknowledged through the participation of various government Departments to deliver services that are beneficial and tangible, thereby making a significant improvement in the quality of life of our people.

All of us, starting with myself as the Premier, Members of the Executive Council, Speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Councillors, Mayors, communities and civil servants will embark on activities such as handing over of blankets and food parcels to needy families, providing meals for the elderly, repairing leaking roofs, painting and cleaning of houses, providing shelter for the homeless, distribution of toys and warm clothes to children and other humanitarian projects.

Let us all - on Nelson Mandela Day and beyond - individually and collectively - strive to become agents of change and build a better and caring society for all our people.


Issued by the Office of the Premier
14 July 2011