International Nelson Mandela Day: Understanding the legacy of Nelson Mandela

If Mahatma Gandhi is the ‘Father of the Nation’ for India, another globally revered leader, Nelson Mandela is South Africa’s ‘Father of the Nation’. Globally recognized as an icon of democracy and social justice, Mandela is the receiver of the Nobel Peace Prize and is held in deep regard not only within South Africa, but throughout the world.

Greatly remembered for his anti-apartheid mission, he worked tirelessly as a revolutionary establishing equality and freedom for all, irrespective of gender, caste, race or nationality. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in jail while serving life imprisonment as he was put behind the bars in 1962. Nelson Mandela’s is a name which will be etched in golden words in history as he changed the 20th century and helped shape the 21st. His fight to bring equality to all with unflinching determination makes his legacy worth understanding and remembering. He stood for values and principles that have become even more relevant now as we live in an increasingly polarized world.

July 18 is celebrated as Nelson Mandela International Day and  reminds us of the golden legacy of this iconic leader whose struggles and efforts towards the poor and oppressed have been immortalized. This day allows individuals and communities to reflect on Nelson Mandela’s legacy of commitment to leave a positive impact in the world.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation, founded in 1999 by Nelson Mandela, is devoted to carry his work through dedicated and sustained efforts. For Mandela Day 2023, the foundation has aimed to plant 1 million trees out of which 60% will be fruit trees, around the world. Since climate change is one of the most threatening situations the world is presently facing, this initiative will help in creating awareness as well as replenishing some of the green cover  lost.

This year, the foundation’s appeal is to do good in this world with our hands, as this is what Nelson Mandela stood for. Even if we contribute in a very small way, it makes things a little better. And Mandela Day is about changing the world for the better.

So its time to ask yourself, what can you do on Nelson Mandela International Day?

Planting trees

Plant trees along with your loved ones in your garden, along the road or any other community area,. If you can grow fruit trees, even better as they will help in food production for vulnerable communities. Further, adopting home and community planting helps to protect the environment.

Volunteering at a care centre

You can organize a small snack party at a children’s or elderly care centre and spend time there. You could be reading to the children or be a listener to the elderly inmates. Organizing a meditative or yoga session will also help those in need of such learning.

Initiate a recycling drive

In your community, start a recycling drive and involve the children in a bid to educate them through the activity. Create awareness around the subject and plan the drive in a way that makes people want to carry on the good work even after the event.

Donating blood

Donating blood regularly is one of the best ways to help humanity.  Every 2 seconds of every day, there is someone who needs blood. 118.5 million blood donations are collected globally. WHO reveals that 40% of collections happen in high-income countries, where only 16% of the world’s population resides.

For any healthy adult, blood donation is possible after every three months  – so make it a point to do your bit to save lives and serve humanity.

Pledge organ donation

Another effective way to make the world a better place is to pledge one’s body organs. A shocking data reveals that in the US alone, 21 people die waiting for an organ every day and more than 107,380 people await life-saving organ transplants. Kidneys, pancreas, heart and liver are some of the organs that are needed most.

Nelson Mandela knew the pains that people, especially minorities undergo very well. It helped him fight for them in an extraordinary manner. We may not be his equal, but we can follow his lead in making our planet more sustainable and contributing for the needy in any form. Nelson Mandela stood for it throughout his lifetime and so can we.