Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has urged the international community to emulate the heroism of Madiba, who moved mountains to promote humanity.
"People should emulate the heroism of Madiba with regard to promoting peace and humanity so that the future generation will live together in peace and harmony," she said.
Millions of people from around the world headed the call on Saturday, as the former President turned 91, to give up 67 minutes of their time to a cause or improve the world around them.
The Premier, along with the MEC for Health and Social Development, Qedani Mahlangu and former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, began her Mandela Day by planting trees at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.
"It feels great spending my 67 minutes doing something useful on Mandela Day. This is the day for revival of selflessness and making a different in the lives of those who are less fortunate in life," she said at the event, wearing blue overalls.
Ms Mokonyane wished Madiba well on his birthday, explaining that he had dedicated his life for 67 years to fighting for equal rights laid a solid foundation to promote peace not only in South Africa, but also in the African continent and around the world.
Hospital staff, wearing yellow t-shirts with an imprint of Mandela Day, also gave up their Saturday to voluntarily plant flowers, help health practitioners in their various wards as well as cleaning the yard.
Businessman, Mashudu Ramano said he had also visited the hospital to identify which areas he could assist with in revamping. "It is necessary to transform the environment at the hospital to bring hope to those who have forgotten to smile due to their illnesses and to create good working conditions for our health workers," he said.
Mr Ramano added that he would be assisting in renovating the hospital's canteen, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and flooring at the ablution facilities.
Ms Mokonyane also visited the Johannesburg Central Police Station where volunteers from a local radio station were busy painting the walls.
A group of youngsters kept up the enthusiastic pace by singing songs which loosely translate into "Here is Nelson Mandela in prison".
While still at the station, the Premier received a call from the "birthday boy" himself requesting her to visit him at his house in Houghton.
