How Will you Spend your 67 Minutes for Mandela? | Western Cape Government

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How Will you Spend your 67 Minutes for Mandela?

12 July 2013

Thursday 18 July 2013 marks Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday and the fourth Nelson Mandela International Day.

This year, South Africans are once again called on to dedicate some of their time to honour our former president.

What is Nelson Mandela International Day?

Nelson Mandela International Day has been celebrated annually across the world since 2009 after the United Nations officially declared 18 July, Madiba’s birthday, as Nelson Mandela International Day.

The day serves as a reminder of the sacrifice he made when he gave 67 years of his life fighting for our  human rights and is a global call to action for people everywhere to dedicate at least 67 minutes of their time to an activity that helps make the world a better place.

What is the Western Cape Government Doing to Celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day?

In keeping with the Western Cape Government’s vision of “Better Together”, many activities have been planned to commemorate this day. By donating a small amount of your time, either by volunteering with a charity or helping in your local community, everyone is encouraged to give back.

Premier of the Western Cape Helen Zille will be participating in a food hamper-packing drive at Canal Walk organised by Stop Hunger SA and will later join Minister of Cultural Affairs Ivan Meyer at a joint visit to the Mass Participation, Opportunity and Access, Development and Growth (MOD) Centre in Scottsdene, Kraaifontein.

Here are a few ideas of how you can spend your 67 minutes:

Plant a tree

  • The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport will be planting indigenous trees at Ons Huisie in Ocean View, Cape Town. Contact Suzette Farmer at Simon’s Town Museum on 021 786 3046 or stmuseum@mweb.co.za for more details.
  • The Department of Agriculture will be planting trees at two schools in Stellenbosch. Contact Petro van Rhyn at 021 808 5008 or petrovr@elsenburg.co.za for more information.

Feed a hungry child

  • If you’re in the Tulbagh area, join the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and distribute soup and bread to learners of a local farm school. Contact Shurine van Niekerk at Oudekerk Volksmuseum on 023 230 104/1 or oudekerk@telkomsa.net for more details.
  • The staff of CP Nel Museum in Oudtshoorn will visit a nursery school in the area and treat the staff and children to refreshments.  Contact Sandra Smit on 044 272 7306 for more information.

Clean up your community

  • Worcester Museum will provide pancakes and clean the rooms of the elderly at the Avondrus Centre for the Aged. Contact Ellen Strauss at the Worcester Museum on 023 342 225 or Estrauss@worcestermuseum.org.za for more details.
  • The Department of Economic Development and Tourism will be helping the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Manenberg paint the main entrance / reception area. Please contact Noel Jonathan Smit at 021 483 5576 or Noel.Smit@pgwc.gov.za for more details.

Donate toys and books

  • The Department of Social Development is collecting learning materials, toys and toiletries for children between the ages of one and six years old. There are collection boxes at all regional offices, as well as the head office in Cape Town. Contact Banzi Dikeni at 021 483 6768 or Banzi.Dikeni@westerncape.gov.za for more details. 
  • The Department of Economic Development and Tourism will collect much-needed items for the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children such as books, clothing and non-perishables. Please contact Noel Jonathan Smit at 021 483 5576 or Noel.Smit@pgwc.gov.za for more details.

Participate in sport activities

  • The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport will be hosting a street soccer and netball day in Khayelitsha, Samora Machel, Phillipi, Nyanga, Delft, Bokmakierie, Blikkiesdorp and Langa. Everyone between the ages of six and 35 years old is welcome to participate. Contact Colin Cedras on 021 483 9759 for more details.