Madiba Day, what have you got planned to make the world a better place?
Nelson Rolihlala Mandela, otherwise known as ‘Madiba’ in affectionate term turns 94 today! He is an inspiration to all South Africans and people the world over, both as a leader and an anti-apartheid and racism activist.
Madiba was born on 18th July 1918, grew up in the Transkei, and as a young man became a forerunner in anti-apartheid activism. He had those qualities of a leader that everyone wanted to follow him just because of who he is. Because of how active he was, he got arrested in 1962 to try and be silenced by the Apartheid Government in South Africa. He then spent 27 years in prison, many of which were spent on Robben Island, a desolate island with the lure and lights of Cape Town just across the water.
On 11 February 1990 Mandela was released from prison and led his party to victory in South Africa’s Democratic election in 1994 when he became President. South Africa had been segregated from the rest of the world because of their racist government and finally South Africa was accepted back into the rest of the world in 1992. Mandela’s role in this was second to none, and he became a world figure for peace, equality and freedom.
What was so special about this man was his ability to forgive and move forward, aiming for equality in South Africa, forgiving his past and wanting to move forward, this is no mean feat when you have been imprisoned for 27 years! He has since become a world figure and received awards worldwide. After serving his time as President he has remained a very respected, loved and influential man.
Mandela Day is celebrated on Mandela’s birthday to celebrate the things he stood for in life. The overall concept is to inspire individual to take action to change the world for the better. Groups organise activities the world over to help make a change and to inspire people to try and see every day as ‘Mandela day’.
In Cape Town surfers are getting together for various causes, from cleaning rubbish off beaches, to creating awareness about women trafficking in South Africa. The idea is to spend 67 minutes; the number of years of he has spent free from prison, for the cause today.
The Ticket to Ride group out in Cape Town are going to be participating in an event organise by Zigzag Surfing magazine at 15:30 at Muizenberg, what are you doing for your 67 minutes?