Pretoria - The much anticipated Mandela Day is gaining momentum with South Africans of all ages, cultures and racial groups expressing their excitement about the call.
Nelson Mandela turns 91 on 18 July, and the call has gone out for people everywhere in the world to celebrate his birthday by doing voluntary work in their communities.
Madiba has been making an imprint on the world for 67 years, beginning in 1942 when he first started to campaign for the human rights of every South African.
BuaNews took to the streets on Wednesday to ask South Africans how they planned to spend their 67 minutes on a worthy course as part of the campaign by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Bongani Ncube, 42, from Johannesburg said the youth of Westenaria have mobilised the community to stage a poetry event dedicated to Madiba.
"We will make the nation aware of the importance of the reconciliation through poetry. It is important for people to know what Madiba did for the nation," Mr Ncube said.
Store manager Richard Clarke, 37, said together with his friends they will be spending their 67 minutes donating blankets to the needy communities around Pretoria.
"It's very cold this time of the year and Mandela being a champion of human rights and dignity, I think this will be an appropriate way to honour him," said Mr Clarke. He applauded the call saying it will go a long way to retain Madiba's legacy.
While some people will be celebrating Madiba through poetry and donating blankets to the needy, others will be spending it quietly in church.
Lerato Modise, 19, from Nelmapius said she will spend her 67 minutes in church praying for Madiba. "I will be praying that God preserves him for many years to come," she said, adding that Madiba is one person that the nation needs around for a very long time.
An elderly Switzerland national, Helmut Walchli, said he was returning to his home country on Thursday but will dedicate his time to teaching people about the importance of world peace and ant-racism, things he believed Madiba stands for.
"Mandela is a very good man, I would have loved to celebrate the day here, but I will make sure I make my contribution even if I'm in Switzerland because Mandela belongs to the world," said Mr Helmut.
According to Athenkosi Mnisi, 13, from Kopano Primary School her school will be visiting an old age home in Mamelodi where they will give presents to the needy. "We will also be performing a few chores and will be spoiling the old people with lots of goodies," she said.
Theresa Mthimynye, 34, from Kwandebele says she is going to volunteer her services at the South African Blood Services encouraging people to donate blood. "It is important that people know the importance of donating blood, blood saves lives," she said.
Members of parliament will also participate in Mandela Day by campaigning within their communities through constituency work-based programmes in recognition of Madiba's 67 years of sacrifice.
National celebrations will take place in Mary Fitzgerald Square, in Newtown, under the theme "Working together for the common good of our nation". There will be a programme of speeches, music and dance, starting at 9am.
Performers will include Taliphani (Venda dance), TK Dancers, Sechaba, Winnie Khumalo, RJ Benjamin, Chommie, Arthur, Nhlanhla Nciza, Zamajobe, Kwela Tebza, Jonas Gwagwa, Kunle Ayo from Nigeria, DJ Sbu, Stoan Seate, Florence Masebe and Meshack Mavuso.
The University of Fort Hare in Eastern Cape, together with the Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural Development, will be conducting a week of celebrations, culminating on Saturday with painting and beautifying Jabavu High School in Alice in Eastern Province, as well as cleaning the town.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation's Dialogue Programme will convene a community dialogue on xenophobia in Khayelitsha, outside Cape Town. Foundation staff will visit three children's homes in Tshwane to deliver books and to talk about Madiba's life and legacy.
Ahead of the big day, former US President Bill Clinton will today host a Mandela Day gala dinner and auction at the Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal, in New York City. Machel will join the festivities, together with Mandela's daughter and grandson.
While the world celebrates Madiba's birthday on Saturday, he will spend the day quietly at home with his family.
