Pupils sing and dance at the Nelson Mandela Square to mark the Nelson Mandela Day, in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 18, 2019. South Africans celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Day on Thursday. Mandela Day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, four years before he died at the age of 95. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)
JOHANNESBURG, July 18 (Xinhua) -- South Africans celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Day on Thursday.
People were encouraged to give 67 minutes of their time to do something for the less fortunate to highlight Mandela's 67 years of selfless dedication to fighting for peace, reconciliation and democracy by doing good for others.
From president, charity organizations to school pupils, many people are doing good to help the needy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Red Cross Children's hospital in Cape Town as part of Mandela Day activities. The hospital is the only dedicated child health institution in the country.
He was interviewed on RX Radio, which was hosted by the hospital's own little patients.
"In the radio interview they asked me lots of difficult questions. They are very articulate. They are very direct, but what impressed me most was that they are so full of hope despite the many challenges and difficulties that they are afflicted with and the real health challenges that they face," said Ramaphosa.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) with other stakeholders donated houses, sanitary pads and blankets to uplift the lives of the needy.
NMF CEO Sello Hatang said, "Just like Mandela, today we are showing compassion to those who feel left behind and solidarity with the poor. Let us hold hands with the world to build the country of our dreams. We have to break inter-generational poverty and encourage active citizenry."
Hatang said they are working throughout the year in building early childhood centers, toilets and houses for the needy. In line with Mandela's passion, they will focus on education and literacy, food and nutrition, shelter, sanitation and active citizenship in the next 10 years.
For the ordinary South Africans to commemorate Mandela Day, some made donations, some cleaned hospitals, some painted schools and some cooked for the orphans. In Redhill School in Johannesburg, pupils made sandwiches and donated the food to children who lives in Alexandra township.
Nelson Mandela's widow Graça Machel called on the people to make Mandela's life their "lifestyle". She called for active citizenry to bring change to the lives of the people. She encouraged people to emulate Mandela's life who cared for those less fortunate.
Machel said that "some people look at government, private sector and institutions to transform lives and the country. Mandela taught us that we have the power to drive and transform the world with our individual initiatives. Let us make not an annual event but our way of living."
"The day is important not only in keeping Mandela's legacy alive, but in encouraging communities to do good for those who are less fortunate. The focus on eradication of poverty is important because poverty remains a global challenge that needs all our focus." Political analyst professor Shadrack Gutto told Xinhua.
Mandela Day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, four years before he died at the age of 95.
