Today is an important landmark in South Africa’s history; Freedom Day. To acknowledge the great sacrifices South Africans have made since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, South African Tourism has released a new television advert to inspire hope as the country marks Freedom Day under lockdown. Freedom of movement; the dignity of work; the joys of travel and experiencing … [Read more...]
Be part of SA’s national food drive this #MandelaDay
The goal: Collect 250 tonnes of food over three days to provide over a million meals. This is the task ahead for the second consecutive Mandela Day Food Drive, and South Africans encouraged to unite together to reach this goal. “The reality in our country today is that millions continue to go to bed hungry every day,” says Suzanne Ackerman-Berman, director of transformation … [Read more...]
Dark day for democracy but petition signed by laureates
The Mandela, De Klerk, Tutu and Luthuli foundations will be writing to President Zuma appealing to him to intervene in order for the Dalai Lama to get a visa to attend the World Peace Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates next month. A further petitioning letter will be signed by former Nobel Peace Prize laureates and has already been signed by President Lech Walesa, Mairead … [Read more...]
‘Knowing Mandela’ to inspire the nation
I have never felt the need to read a book about Mandela, though I have always adored him. But by grace a little book came across my path … Knowing Mandela by John Carlin. Of course I want to learn more now, but I also suspect that having started with this one, it will be very hard to match. John was the South Africa correspondent of London’s Independent newspaper from 1990 … [Read more...]
Spreading Madiba magic on his special day
How to make a contribution on Mandela Day? Here are a few cool places to volunteer your time and compassion and help those in need: Durban: The Rising Sun calls on well-wishers, philanthropists, community organisations and the corporate sector in Durban to be part of an innovative Food for Life kitchen refurbishment project. “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of … [Read more...]
Miss Earth takes on Food Security at Orange Farm
"As long as outmoded ways of thinking prevent women from making a meaningful contribution to society, progress will be slow. As long as the nation refuses to acknowledge the equal role of more than half of itself, it is doomed to failure." Nelson Mandela Women’s Day 1996. Nelson Mandela believed in women and in the crucial role that they play in creating change and … [Read more...]
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day
When you think of knitting, what comes to mind? A grey-haired dear? Think again! Knitting is now hip and is being done, en masse, for a good cause. 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day started as a challenge but has quickly grown into what some are calling a movement. It’s captured the attention of the Minister of Arts & Culture, Paul Mashatile, Hugh Masekela, Angela … [Read more...]
Finding the real Africa
In 2005, Binyavanga Wainaina published a brilliantly sarcastic essay in Granta called “How to Write About Africa,” advising people on how to sound spiritual and compassionate while writing a book about the continent. “Always use the word ‘Africa’ or ‘Darkness’ or ‘Safari’ in your title,” Wainaina advised. “Never have a picture of a well-adjusted African on the cover of your … [Read more...]
Nelson Mandela’s legacy to climate change activists
We are sad and relieved that Tata Madiba has finally been released to fly free again. And we recommit ourselves to the struggle for climate justice as THE unifying factor which could link all of us passionately devoted to manifesting a fair and healthy world. Here is a moving piece by Alex Lanferna, green brother with great courage... “Sometimes it falls upon a generation … [Read more...]
A tree for each of Madiba’s years
The Miss Earth South Africa organisation, in conjunction with Fourways Farmers Market, Reliance Compost, Consol, UTI and Garnier South Africa, planted 95 trees at Solwazi Primary School in Orange Farm ahead of Mandela Day. The organisation decided to honour the former statesman by planting one tree for every year of his life. The project was hosted ahead of International … [Read more...]
Celebrating a decade of giving on Mandela Day
The Woolworths Trust was formed in 2003 and has been making a tangible difference in South Africa for the past 10 years. 2013 marks its 10 year birthday! The Trust strives to make a meaningful impact in local communities by supporting programmes that improve food security, reduce child vulnerability and uplift education. For example, over the past 10 years they … [Read more...]
Madiba getting better, SA youth challenges ahead
Former president Nelson Mandela's health has shown sustained improvement, President Jacob Zuma said at a Youth Day celebration in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday. "We are grateful that he continues to get better. Over the last two days, although [his condition] remains serious, his doctors have stated that his improvement has been sustained. He continues to engage with … [Read more...]
Lessons learned from Wangari Maathai
In this beautifully animated clip from Dirt! The Movie, Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai tells an inspiring tale of doing the best you can under seemingly interminable odds. Wangari tells the story of a hummingbird who saves a forest from being destroyed while other animals stand to the side, overwhelmed by size of the problem. “I have always believed that, no matter … [Read more...]
