Mandela Day is an initiative championed by one of Flow’s oldest clients, the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. It was officially recognised as an international day by the UN General Assembly in 2009. Madiba’s birthday (July 18) is honoured across the globe as an opportunity to spend 67 minutes taking action, inspiring change and doing good.
Flowstars Matthew van Onselen and Kate Rau attended the launch of this year’s Mandela Day on Wednesday, May 23 – a chance for communities to get together and plan what they will be doing on Mandela Day.
Over the years, local celebrities have pledged their support in various ways, from Bikers for Mandela Day to Mandela Day concerts.
“Last year, Mildred Thabane and I joined South African comedians and helped paint a community care centre in Hillbrow,” says Rau. “I didn’t realise that this year the likes of David Thlale and Gert-Johan Coetzee would be rolling up their sleeves to do something for the local community.”
That’s right. This year celebrity involvement at the launch event included painting classrooms and renovating the space at Tlhatlogang Junior Secondary School in Jabavu, White City (Soweto).
Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory CEO Achmat Dangor called on guests to do their bit.
“The Mandela Day campaign is a call for activism in order to build better communities,” he said. “The message of giving your time to uplift your fellow citizens is reaching people, and the spirit of volunteerism that has been shown is humbling.”
Musos Danny K, Tuks and ProVerb were joined by television personality Bonang Matheba and fashionistas David Thlale and Gert Johan Coetzee as they fixed doors, swept the playground and added some colour to the previously drab classroom walls.
“Mandela Day is one of the few initiatives that encourages communities to get involved, and starting at a school (where the kids went crazy for the celebrities) was the perfect way to kick it off,” said Matthew.
What are you doing for Mandela Day? Visit the Mandela Day website to learn more.
