Nelson Mandela Day: In the footsteps of a Giant

Nelson Mandela Square, in Sandton Central, is where you’ll find the imposing statue of South Africa’s beloved Madiba.

Or perhaps ‘imposing’ isn’t the right word. Rather, one could say: his presence reverberates throughout. People from all walks of life are drawn to it. South Africans act like tourists around it, excitedly having their pictures taken under its shadow.

Editorial credit: C. Na Songkhla / Shutterstock.com

It shouldn’t come as a surprise: Nelson Mandela was one of the founding fathers of the democratic South Africa. He is admired throughout the country and the world. It was the sacrifices he made for us, almost biblical in nature, and his willingness to forgive, which fits in a kind of Messianic figure.

A lover of learning, he was an esteemed attorney in his early years, before becoming part of the anti-Apartheid resistance. Arrested and tried, Mandela became South Africa’s longest imprisoned man: 27 years. He was covered under a shroud of secrecy by the Apartheid government, very few – outside of his comrades in prison, government officials, and his immediate family – even knew what he still looked like. Old and decrepit? Health-looking and robust?

Perhaps that added to his myth… a rallying cry around which the world united against the Apartheid system.

Finally freed in 1990, he became one of the leading forces in shaping the South African destiny. Our first president, he had heavy challenges in righting the wrongs of Apartheid. One of his most important contributions was allowing for our new Constitution to set into place and become part of our tradition.

Our Constitution is rightly regarded as one of the most ethical in the world.

It’s from his legendary kindness and acts of self-sacrifice that 67 Minutes was born. Every year on 18 July, his birthday, South Africans – and the world – are encouraged to give up 67 minutes of their time to make a difference.

So, what will you be doing this 18 July? Helping to paint a school? Handing out food parcels to the poor? Visiting an old age home, and spending time with its residents?

Nelson Mandela shined a light on a dark period of South African history and helped lift us out of it. It’s in his spirit we continue his tradition, to make the world a better place.

Every time we visit Nelson Mandela Square and see his eternally jovial statue, we’re reminded of how much he did for us. And how much we can still do for each other. 67 minutes at a time.

Read more about what you can do HERE