Pretoria - The 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) has saluted Madiba on his 91st birthday, describing him as the "volunteer-in-chief".
"We want to wish Nelson Mandela a happy 91st birthday. Mandela Day is a very important initiative and something I am certain South Africans and everyone around the world will really embrace," said LOC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Danny Jordaan.
He said one could not begin to quantify the enormous contribution made by Madiba in bringing Africa's first soccer World Cup to South Africa.
"Throughout the bidding process, at the announcement in Zurich, during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and even now, Madiba has given selflessly of his time to support Bafana Bafana and also South Africa's ongoing efforts to host a successful and memorable FIFA World Cup next year," he said.
In celebration of Madiba's life and legacy the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the 46664 Campaign have introduced Mandela Day as an annual international "day of humanitarian action" on 18 July, asking individuals to symbolically give 67 minutes of their time in service to their communities.
Dr Jordaan said he hoped that as the LOC embarks on the process of recruiting the 15 000 volunteers for the 2010 event, the applicants will exhibit the same dedication and commitment as Madiba.
"In our country it's those who have less who give more and those who have nothing who give the most. We have a spirit of caring and sharing. This country will be great if we continue to make a small and meaningful contribution," said Dr Jordaan.
Applications for the volunteer programme for the World Cup will be launched online on 20 July.
