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“When people are determined,
they can overcome anything.”
Nelson Mandela
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Nelson Mandela International Day, or Mandela Day, is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela’s birthday.
Mandela Day is not meant to be a public holiday, but as a day to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s former President, and his values, through volunteering and community service.
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What is Nelson Mandela Day all about?
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“It is what we make out of what we have given,
not what we are given,
that separates one person from another.”
Nelson Mandela
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Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, and that each and every single one of us has the ability to make a positive impact on others.
The Mandela Day campaign message is:
“Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We are asking you to start with 67 minutes. We would be honoured if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace, reconciliation and cultural diversity,” according to a statement issued on Mandela’s behalf. “
Nelson Mandela Day is all about giving back. It is a day where we can put 67 minutes aside to help out someone in need without expecting anything back in return. It is the perfect way that we can all embrace having a servant heart, a heart that reaches out to others despite of age, colour, gender or race. On this today, we can stand together united as a nation fighting together for peace, justice and love amongst every citizen living in our beautiful country.
As mentioned before, this day is not just for South Africa. Although South Africans do hold this day very close to their hearts, we must remember that Mr. Mandela had an incredible impact on the entire world! This day is celebrated by other countries along with South Africa. With that said, not only do we stand together as a nation in our beautiful country, but we all stand together to show that true humanity still exists in our world. On this day, we aim to do nothing less than to show love to others, hoping that our 67 minutes will turn into a lifetime of peace in our world.
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How to spend your 67 minutes
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“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s
time and energy to help others without
expecting anything in return”
Nelson Mandela
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The state of our planet is not a secret. Currencies have decreased in power, many lives have been lost to COVID-19, poverty has increased immensely and hearts have been saddened worldwide. This year, Kikki and Franki thinks that our 67 minutes, or maybe even the entire Mandela day,should be celebrated with a lot of quiet time and kind intention towards others.
To do this, we have listed some ways on how to spend your 67 minutes this year on this special day, keeping the COVID-19 regulations in mind:
- Spend 67 minutes in prayer. So much is gong on in our world, and in our country, that Nelson Mandela spent his days fighting against. There is so much injustice and hatred in our world, so take some time to think about the action you as an individual can take to improve the state of our planet.
- Help a charity in a way that you can. If you can offer financial donations or groceries for them, do so. If all you can offer is your time, do so. Read to a group of children at an orphanage, or volunteer at an animal shelter.
- Clean up your community. A clean environment leads to healthier citizens with stronger immune systems. With the existence of COVID-19, we all need to build our immune systems and a clean community is a great start.
- Host a blanket drive. It is winter in South Africa right now, and it is one of the coldest winters we have ever had! With poverty increasing, there are tons of people that are out on the streets with no where to go. Make someone’s day by blessing them with a little bit of warmth.
- Volunteer at an animal shelter. There are so many animals without homes and food, and they could really use your help.
According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, you could also do these things during your 67 minutes:
- Gather stationary packs for under-resourced schools to ensure education in the lives of our youth.
- Make self-care boxes filled with health necessities for patients at a nearby government hospital.
- Donate blood. Along with COVID-19 patients, there are so many people that need blood transfusions to ensure that they will have a future. Save a life today.
The possibilities of giving our time and resources are endless! If you have any ideas on how to celebrate this day, please share them with us! We would love to hear from you.
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Benefits of giving
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“Courage is not the absence of fear,
But the triumph over it”
Nelson Mandela
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One of the many lessons we can take from Mr. Mandela is that even if you are just one person, you can make a difference. Despite your background, you are worthy, and you have a purpose in this world. By giving to others, we bring in so much light into our life as well as the lives of others.
Giving to others gives us a reality check. It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of our to-do lists that we often forget the reality of our world! By giving to others, we make ourselves aware of the reality of our communities, which is so important. We start to notice the needs that need to be met and maybe we can be the ones to meet those needs! It does not take a lot to make a difference in someone’s life. Sometimes, all they need is someone willing to listen to them.
By giving, we also put our passions and talents to action! If you have an influential platform, use it to raise awareness for what you are passionate about. If you are passionate about children, you can use this time to teach under privileged kids. If you are passionate about animals, adopt instead of shopping. Again, the possibilities are endless! See, our giving does not always have to be big and monumental. Sometimes, it is the small things that have the biggest impact.
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Nelson Mandela’s values
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“Do not judge me by my success. Judge me by how
many times I fell down and got back up again.”
Nelson Mandela
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Nelson Mandela was a courageous man. His personality oozed with passion. His voice was heard without needing to shout. Even after all these years, we still see him as one of the world’s most powerful and peaceful influencers. His words encouraged many people all over the world to be strong and brave, to fight for what matters to us, no matter what the cost.
On this special day, as we celebrate the life and memory of Mr. Mandela by giving back, we also remember the legacy he left behind. To honour him, we would like to mention a few of Mandela’s values.
Nelson Mandela spent his days fighting for freedom and equality in South Africa. Today, there are so many people still fighting this battle. It is relevant. It is important. It is necessary. Nelson Mandela was a man who did not give up on matters that were important to him and that directly affected him as a human being. Today, lets learn to be as persistent and passionate as he was, not letting our fears get in the way.Allow your fear to push you forward, just like Mr. Mandela did.
This incredible man was an honorable leader. He put others first and valued the opinions of others. He encouraged them to fight their own battles peacefully. Not only did he lead thousands and thousands of people. Nelson Mandela also put his life on the line for the people he led. That is why people appreciated his leadership qualities – because he listened and fought for them, knowing each person’s worth to be equally important.
Nelson Mandela had many wonderful qualities that we are all able to share today, but Kikki and Franki’s personal favourite quality of this incredible man was his optimism. No matter what he endured, Nelson kept his head held high and he smiled through his pain and heart ache. He admitted that there were times he felt like he lost his faith, but every time he fell, he got back up stronger
than ever before. Every. Single. Time. He had hope for his country, hope for the humanity in our world. He never let himself accept defeat.
In the famous words of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, “I never lose. I either win or learn.”
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Nelson Mandela Day with Kikki and Franki
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“For to be free is not to merely cast off one’s chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances
the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandela
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Here at Kikki and Franki, it is simple. With all that happens in our world, whether it directly affects us or not, we encourage ourselves and others to always listen, to always learn. We honour Mr. Mandela and his powerful life testimony today along with the rest of our country, along with the whole planet today.
We wish you a peaceful and joyful Mandela day.
Xxx
The Kikki and Franki Girls
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