Mandela Day 2024: date, ideas, theme, how to celebrate it
On Mandela Day, people remember how Nelson Mandela made the world a better place for humanity. It is not a public holiday, but people honor it because he paid a high price to liberate South Africans from psychological and physical colonialism. Similarly, the world would not be the same if he had not made sacrifices and held onto his values to bring about the changes people enjoy now. Discover fun ways to celebrate Mandela Day 2024.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What is Mandela Day?
- What happens on Mandela Day?
- Mandela Day ideas for schools
- Ideas for Mandela Day posters
- Why is Mandela Day 67 minutes?
- What can you do for Mandela Day?
- How did Mandela Day start?
- Is today Nelson Mandela Day?
- Is Mandela Day a public holiday?
- What is celebrated on Nelson Mandela International Day?
Mandela Day commemorates Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a hero who missed his son's funeral because colonialists had imprisoned him in Robben Island for fighting for SA's liberation. After 27 years behind bars, Mandela walked out of Victor Verster Prison hand-in-hand with his then-wife, Winnie, and served as the first black president of democratic SA from 1994 to 1999. Is he not worth celebrating?
What is Mandela Day?
Mandela Day is internationally recognized as a day to commemorate the achievements of the first president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. He is among the many African leaders who fought colonialists to bring democracy to the continent.
In 1998, Mandela met many prominent people, including the Pope, to discuss African problems and solutions. He emulated the leadership of many historical African kings and queens before him.
Mandela Day 2024 theme
According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the 2024 theme for Nelson Mandela International Day is: "It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity."
You can use hashtags:
- #ItIsInYourHands
- #MandelaDay2024
- #67MinutesofService
- #JoinHandsConnectcommunities
When is Mandela Day?
Mandela Day falls on Nelson Mandela's birthday, 18 July. The United Nations officially launched this day in 2009; the first was on 18 July 2010.
Why do people celebrate Nelson Mandela Day?
People celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day yearly to show respect for his legacy. His values and principles have positively impacted South African communities and the world.
What happens on Mandela Day?
Source: UGC
Mandela Day is a way of celebrating his life and work through volunteering and community service. Here are the best Mandela Day activities and ideas:
- Pray for the world, the economy, and everyone's safety.
- Check up on all your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances, and encourage one another to stay optimistic.
- Donate blood for patients admitted at medical facilities.
- Provide people experiencing poverty with basic needs (food, clothing, and shelter).
- Plant crops, trees, and flowers to increase food production and for nature to thrive.
- Donate medical equipment to health care centers.
- Volunteer your professional services such as therapy, medical and legal consultation, and more.
- Promote each other's business on social media and via emails, calls, or SMS. You can start by advertising one another's products and services to your contacts.
- Share employment opportunities with people who need them, and offer jobs if you can employ them.
- Donate to the Nelson Mandela Foundation and join the Living the Legacy partner program.
Mandela Day ideas for schools
Madiba loved education and encouraged people to support the younger generation in acquiring it. He believed that education was going to change the world. Nelson was right because education has grown Africa's economy and improved living standards. So, below are ways learners and communities can come together to honor Mandela Day's 67 minutes:
- Donate learning resources like computers, books, free internet, etc.
- Volunteer to play games with students.
- Send snacks and fruits to nearby schools.
- Plan a talent day with students.
- Host concerts in schools.
- Plan a movie night with students.
- Offer teachers financial and moral support to motivate them.
- Offer scholarships to learners who are unable to pay their school fees.
- Provide shopping with school essentials to learners from needy backgrounds.
Source: UGC
Can you create an initiative to celebrate Mandela Day?
There are terms and conditions for developing a Mandela Day initiative, such as:
- The name and image of Mr. Mandela (and any reiterations thereof) are not directly associated with any product, brand, or commercial promotion; therefore, do not use his images and name for these purposes.
- The initiative being developed must not promote or be linked to the production/sale of cigarettes, liquor or any alcoholic drink, firearms or any weapons of war, etc.
- Participation by any member of the Nelson Mandela family must not be a prerequisite; any such engagement will be based on their voluntary willingness and availability.
Ideas for Mandela Day posters
Create unique posters using uplifting Mandela Day quotes. Below are samples of posters made from Nelson Mandela's speeches and quotes, and you can translate them into your language of choice:
Nelson Mandela's quote on leadership
Source: UGC
Mandela's leadership is worth emulating because his actions matched his words. Here are some of his quotes on leadership:
- The spirit of the people cannot be crushed, and no matter what happens to the present leadership, new leaders will arise like mushrooms until victory is won. — Nelson Mandela
- Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice everything for the freedom of their people. — Nelson Mandela
- Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front. — Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela's quote on equality, unity, and justice
Source: UGC
Madiba was passionate about equality, unity, and justice for all. He wanted people to stop discriminating against each other based on religion, social class, race, and any other factor. Here are some of his quotes about these virtues of life:
- No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, his background, or his religion. — Nelson Mandela
- Together, we must set out to correct the defects of the past. — Nelson Mandela
- People must learn to hate; if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. — Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela's quote on education
Source: UGC
Madiba's primary agenda was to see Africans attain quality education and develop themselves. He inspired people with these worlds:
- Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. — Nelson Mandela
- A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, you have something very special. — Nelson Mandela
- Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure they receive the highest education possible to represent us well as future leaders. — Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela's quote on determination
Source: UGC
Madiba inspired people worldwide to work hard, stay focused, and be humble when they succeed. Here are some of his quotes:
- After climbing a great hill, one only finds that the are many more hills to climb. — Nelson Mandela
- It always seems impossible until it's done. — Nelson Mandela
- Do not judge me by my successes; judge me by how many times I fell and got back up. — Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela's quote on freedom
Source: UGC
Madiba wanted Africans and everyone to enjoy freedom and democracy within and outside the continent. Here are some of his words about this:
- Only free men can negotiate. Prisoners cannot enter into contracts. — Nelson Mandela
- Money won’t create success. The freedom to make it will. — Nelson Mandela
- I have never cared very much for personal prizes. A person does not become a freedom fighter hoping to win awards. — Nelson Mandela
Why is Mandela Day 67 minutes?
Each minute represents a year Madiba served South Africa and fought for human rights. He began to serve humanity in 1942.
What can you do for Mandela Day?
There are so many things that you can do during the occasion. What you do not need in your house is valuable to someone else. Donate blood, food, money, clothes, medical equipment, masks, sanitizers, shelter, etc.
How did Mandela Day start?
The Nelson Mandela Foundation launched a movement to celebrate Madiba's legacy, and the United Nations took it up from the foundation and made the legend's birthday, 18 July 1918, an internationally recognized event.
Is today Nelson Mandela Day?
Nelson Mandela Day falls on 18 July of every year.
Is Mandela Day a public holiday?
It is not a public holiday but a moment to appreciate Madiba's legacy of serving the community selflessly for 67 years.
What is celebrated on Nelson Mandela International Day?
The world joins South Africans in celebrating Nelson Madiba's efforts to bring justice and freedom for the oppressed in his country and globally.
Mandela Day 2024 should remind you to love yourself, too, as you spread love and fight for justice on behalf of others. Make it the best day for you and those around you, and above all, incorporate helping people into your lifestyle. Have a happy Mandela Day!
Briefly.co.za shared important things Nelson Mandela did to build democracy in South Africa. After Mandela was freed from prison, his first achievement was negotiating with State President F.W. de Klerk about the end of apartheid in South Africa.
The negotiations brought peace to the racially divided country. His other achievement was to improve the living standards and facilities of South Africa's Black population. Find out what the hero of South Africa did for the nation.
Source: Briefly News
