Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile today called on South Africans to play their part in celebrating former President Nelson Mandela's birthday by committing their time to assisting others.
Mandela's birthday is on 18 July and the day has since been declared by the United Nations General Assembly as International Nelson Mandela Day.
Speaking in Zeerust this morning, Mashatile said Mandela Day was an opportunity for all South Africans to set aside time to be of service to fellow human beings.
"The celebration of Mandela Day recognises and honours our former President's commitment to the objective of building a national democratic society, that is united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous," he said.
As part of the celebrations, Mashatile urged all government departments and municipalities, the private sector and local communities to initiate activities that are aimed achieving the objectives of Nelson Mandela Day throughout the country.
According to Mashatile, on 18 July, premiers, Members of Parliament and of Provincial Legislatures, mayors and councillors will set aside time to do community service.
People can play a role by assisting the elderly with their shopping, volunteering at local schools and many other forms of community service.
Mashatile said Nelson Mandela Day celebrations were also an opportunity to promote social cohesion, national healing and nation building.
"Let us all individually and collectively strive to become agents for building a better and caring society," he said.
Activities for this year's Nelson Mandela Week celebrations (9 - 18 July) include the unveiling of tomb stones of former freedom fighters, cleaning of graves, beautification of schools and old age homes, flying the South African flag in schools, holding developmental workshops for emerging artists and handing out of blankets.
Others include assisting in maintaining backyard food gardens, donation of books to community libraries and embarking on immunisation programmes.
The main Mandela Day celebrations will be held at the Dinokana Stadium in Zeerust.
