Yesterday marked the 92nd birthday of internationally renowned leader, Nelson Mandela. Commemorating Mandela Day on 18 July began in 2009 as a global affair with organisers requesting people to celebrate the legacy of Nelson Mandela by using 67 minutes of the day to give back to society and help those in need. Why 67 minutes you ask? The occasion is based on Mandela spending 67 years of his life working towards a better future for South Africans.

With support for Mandela Day growing year-on-year, it's a day on which social and economic boundaries between citizens grow fractionally smaller. The global icon is respected and revered by the world as an exceptional human being and we can only strive to emulate, at least in part, the person he has been throughout his life.

With Mandela making an appearance during the closing of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he crowned what was an already spectacular occasion. With Madiba as a role model to the entire world, we can all make it a much better place for everyone.

Happy-belated Birthday Madiba; thank you for all you have done for us.


Cheers, Sindy Peters, Africa editor
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