S African govt endorses call for July 18 as global Mandela Day

"Cabinet endorsed the call to declare July 18th, former President Nelson Mandela's birthday, as global Mandela Day," Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said yesterday.

He said the Cabinet called on all South Africans, civil society organisations and the citizens of the world to support the Mandela Day initiative by doing good work in their communities.

"The campaign led by the Nelson Mandela Foundation seeks to encourage all of humanity to spend 67 minutes of their time doing something that would make a difference in their communities," he said.

"This is in recognition of the 67 years that Madiba (Mandela) spent fighting against the evils of Apartheid," he said adding however, that Mandela Day would not be a public holiday.

A series of events, co-ordinated by 46664 and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, will be organised on the occasion of Mandela's 91st birthday this year in South Africa and around the world, especially New York. 46664 was Nelson Mandela's prison number during his 27 years in jail. Many of the charity's global ambassadors from the world of entertainment, music and film will participate in the events.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation, 46664 together with the New York City Department of Education will also host a group of middle and high school students in South Africa this month.

All money raised from Mandela Day will support the ongoing work of 46664 and the Nelson Mandela charitable organisations.

To date, the foundation and 46664 campaign has focused mainly on supporting projects in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa where current needs are greatest, particularly for those infected or affected by HIV and AIDS.