By Samson Babu
Nelson Mandela International Day (or
Mandela Day) is an annual international day in honor of Nelson Mandela,
celebrated each 18 July (on Mandela's
birthday).
The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. However, other groups began celebrating Mandela Day on 18 July 2009.
The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good.
Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”
The event especially comes in at a very somber time when the freedom fighter is ailing from what his doctors have termed as a lung infection.
The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. However, other groups began celebrating Mandela Day on 18 July 2009.
The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good.
Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”
The event especially comes in at a very somber time when the freedom fighter is ailing from what his doctors have termed as a lung infection.
The 95-year-old African hero was transferred to a hospital
in Pretoria in the northern province of Gauteng on June 8 as his lung infection
deteriorated. Mandela has a history of lung problems dating back to when he
contracted tuberculosis as a political prisoner.
The anti-apartheid hero suffered from respiratory disease during 27 years in prison. He was released in 1990 and then he made peacemaking efforts in the country. He was elected as president in 1994.
The former South African president has received more than 250 awards over four decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize. In recent years, Mandela’s health problems have worried his supporters.
The anti-apartheid hero suffered from respiratory disease during 27 years in prison. He was released in 1990 and then he made peacemaking efforts in the country. He was elected as president in 1994.
The former South African president has received more than 250 awards over four decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize. In recent years, Mandela’s health problems have worried his supporters.
Nelson Mandela personifies struggle. He led the fight
against apartheid with extraordinary vigor and resilience after spending nearly
three decades of his life behind bars. He has sacrificed his private life and
his youth for his people, and remains South Africa's best known and loved hero.
To the rest of words his glowing regards has always remained
the same as is in his motherland Africa. Different generations have been born
to take up the name Nelson Mandela, which clearly shows just how important this
man is.
From the August 7th Memorial Park, we wish him a
birthday full of that reassuring hope that may all his dreams and effort be
reciprocated for there to be peace and mutual goodwill in all the corners of
the world. Happy 95th Birthday Madiba!
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