/ 12 May 2010

Foundation begins 67-day countdown to Mandela Day

Foundation Begins 67 Day Countdown To Mandela Day

The Nelson Mandela Foundation on Wednesday began a 67-day countdown to Nelson Mandela Day on July 18 by inviting the media to help mentally disabled children in Katlehong.

“Today [Wednesday] marks 67 days until the first official Nelson Mandela International Day on his birthday on July 18,” foundation spokesperson Sello Hatang said on Wednesday.

Madiba will celebrate his 92nd birthday in July.

“We want today to be a reminder to everyone that we don’t have to wait until July 18 to help. Everyday can be Nelson Mandela Day.”

The media had been invited to the Tshepong Stimulation Centre in Katlehong to work with children between five and 15 years of age with mental disabilities, he said.

“We appreciate the work that the media has given us and we want to urge others to help make a difference to communities in need,” Hatang said.

On November 10 last year, Mandela’s birthday was officially named Nelson Mandela International Day by the United Nations General Assembly.

The foundation wants South Africans to celebrate the day by spending 67 minutes — in honour of Madiba’s own 67 years of service to humanity — doing something good for other people.

Activities leading up to the event include a cycle ride from Johannesburg to Cape Town, an exhibition at the United Nations in New York and a Mandela Day concert in Madrid. — Sapa