How will you remember Nelson Mandela?
There are many ways to commemorate the life and struggle of a remarkable man.
We’ve come up with ten – but we’d like to hear what your plans are.
Friday July 18 is Nelson Mandela International Day, launched by the UN and inspired by a call from the man himself for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership when he said “it is in your hands now”.
1. Do something!
![Nelson-mandela-boxing-cover[1]](https://www.one.org/us/media/us/2014/07/Nelson-mandela-boxing-cover11.jpg)
Continue Mandela’s fight for social justice by pledging 67 minutes of your day on July 18 to give back. Photo Credit: www.motionfitness.co.za
Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for social justice. The campaign asks that individuals, groups and companies pledge 67 minutes of their time on 18 July, and every day after, to give back. There will be events around the world, from walks to concerts to acts of service.
2. Grow something
In South Africa, millions will remember Mandela: through individual acts of service, but also initiatives like one to encourage people to plant and maintain their own vegetable gardens. Citizenship initiative Lead SA is partnering with the African Children’s Feeding Scheme, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo and the Dis-Chem Foundation.3. Check out these amazing monuments
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See the world’s largest statue of Nelson Mandela in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria. Photo Credit: http://kp.ua/
4. Speak up
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Channel Mandela’s powerful voice and use yours to speak up and spread his inspiration. Photo Credit: http://msemakweli.com
5. Listen up
Music will play a big part in the day. In Glasgow, Scotland, South African jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela will headline a concert as part of a day of events. “We are thrilled to honour him in Glasgow by bringing together musicians from Scotland and South Africa, from the great legend Hugh Masekela to the voices of the youth and the future, Mzansi Youth Choir. We deeply hope he would have loved this,” said Svend Brown, director of music at Glasgow Life.
6. Meet up
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Mandela met with numerous religious leaders, including Pope John Paul II. Photo Credit: www.lametropole.com
7. Hit the road
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Hit the road for a good cause with some of your friends this July 18. Photo Credit: http://guanajuatodigital.mx/
8. Clean up
The South African Embassy in Washington DC has identified a couple of ways that people in the District can get involved, including working with Martha’s Table,an NGO where you can tidy up education classrooms, prepare the food for mobile soup kitchen, or organize community thrift store. (The embassy has a great statue of Mandela, by the way).
9. Go to a movie.
![elba_mandela[1]](https://www.one.org/us/media/us/2014/07/elba_mandela1.jpg)
Watch Idris Elba portray anti-apartheid leader and former South African president Nelson Mandela on screen. Photo Credit: http://africansuntimes.com
10. Take a walk down Mandela Street
This is pretty easy if you live in Britain. There are more than 25 roads named after the great man dotted around the UK – nearly a third of the world’s known total. As the BBC points out, “One road with a close link was Mandela Street, in Camden, North London, where the international anti-apartheid movement had its headquarters in the 1980s.”These ought to give you some ideas about ways you can get involved – and help others do so as well.
What are your great ideas for Mandela Day? What will you do – and how will you spread the word?