JEDDAH: Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who spent 67 years making the world a better place, wants all South Africans to celebrate his birthday in the service of others.
Mandela turns 91 on Saturday, which his charity foundation is marking as the first annual Mandela Day. Organizers want the world to celebrate it by doing good deeds for others.
Mandela, who spent 27 years in jail for his fight against apartheid, believes the “struggle for freedom and justice was a collective effort,” and Mandela Day should be as well. It is thus that the Nelson Mandela Foundation and 46664, the campaign vehicle of the Mandela organizations, are calling for Mandela Day on July 18, to be recognized as an annual international “day of humanitarian action.”
“As he has reminded us, it's in our hands to create a better world and we take inspiration from his example to take responsibility for ourselves and to understanding our responsibility for others,” says South African Consul General Mahdi Basadien.
“Mandela has been a true example not only for South Africa but for the whole of humanity in terms of empathizing with those in need worldwide. He is a true example of how individuals should relate to each other,” the diplomat told Arab News. He recalled that when he met Mandela, then the president of South Africa, during his state visit to Abu Dhabi in 1998, the champion of apartheid was very happy to see his country's diplomats interacting with international communities abroad. “He (Mandela) was very interactive, very caring and holding each individual in the highest esteem,” the consul general said, adding that the consulate is also interacting with a selected group of disadvantaged school students on this day.
Leroux Masoka, charge d'affaires at the South African Embassy in Riyadh, says: “He is an icon, a hope for mankind for fighting the right thing in the right way. He symbolizes patience and stands for human rights. He is acknowledged worldwide for his contribution.” Joyce Ceza, a nurse at King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah who comes from Cape Town, hails Mandela as an anti-apartheid hero and peacemaker. “He is the inspiration of the nation and also reminds us that it is in our hands to create a better world for ourselves. He is the founder of Mandela Children's Fund, whereby anybody can dial 46664 and their contribution instantly goes to the fund.”
Riann Knuppel, development director at Emaar in King Abdullah Economic City, who also hails from Cape Town, says Mandela has given birth to a new generation in South Africa. “He is one of the iconic figures who has been able to cross several generations of the past and the future. He has set new standards with a new vision.”
Amanda Msindwana, speech language pathologist at Jeddah Institute for Speech and Hearing, who comes form Port Shepstone on the east coast of South Africa, says: “He is a beacon of hope in South Africa and all over the world. He is a symbol of peace and forgiveness. He is probably one of the greatest humanitarians that I have ever known. When he reached the pivotal period over the chipping point he chose peace and basically signified for everyone that we could all live in harmony and that South Africa has a greater purpose for Africa and the world.”
