Nelson
Mandela Month 2014
 |
| 1 to 31 July 2014 |
In July, South Africa
celebrates former president Nelson Mandela's birthday. 18 July has been
declared Nelson Mandela International Day, but as South Africans we embrace the
chance to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life for the whole of July. This gives
everyone the opportunity to heed the call to action for people to recognise
their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them.
A global movement for
positive change begins with small actions. As each person acts, they fuel
momentum toward positive change, raising awareness and expanding the reach of
Mr Mandela’s values – fighting injustice, helping people in need and practicing
reconciliation.
2014 is particularly
symbolic as we work to honour a great South African statesman and make every
day a Mandela Day as we mark South Africa’s 20 years of democratic freedom.
Find more areas where you
can volunteer your services on the Nelson Mandela Day
website.
Background
Mr Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically
elected president in 1994. As a champion of reconciliation, he was instrumental
in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was set up by South Africa’s
Government of National Unity to help deal with the atrocities of apartheid.
Before his presidency, Mandela was heavily involved in
anti-apartheid activities. He served 27 years in prison, many of which were
spent with other sentenced freedom fighters.
While officially retired, he continued to voice his opinion
on topical humanitarian issues and campaigns globally for peace, children and
the fight against HIV and AIDS. He passed away on 5 December 2014.
Government calls on all South Africans to contribute to the
social and economic security of Africans, by living the values of our
Constitution that provides for the rights of all people living in our country
and the affirms democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom for
all.
News on Mandela Month
- Mandela Day: libraries in containers, 4 July 2014
- Mandela Day: 67 houses in one week, 3 July 2014
- Spruce up the country in honour of Madiba, 1 July 2014
- More news on Mandela Month from SA Government News Agency
- School food parcels get Mandela Month under way, 30 June 2014
Information on Nelson Mandela Day and Nelson Mandela's legacy
- Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa)
- Nelson Mandela International Day (about; news; activities; gallery; media/resources)
- United Nations: Nelson Mandela International Day
- www.mandela.gov.za - website devoted to Nelson Mandela's legacy and funeral
- Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory – the life and times of Nelson Mandela
- Nelson Mandela Children's Fund
- 46664.com
- Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural Development
- Brand South Africa: Nelson Mandela
- SA Government News Agency feature on Mandela Month
- Frequently asked questions
- Moral Regeneration Month
SOURCE - gov.za
