By Mr. Mthandeni Mbhele, SAAYC Board Member
Every year on July 18th, South Africans and people around the world come together for a meaningful cause: honouring the life and legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Mandela Day serves as a reminder that each person has the power and duty to make a difference. The message is simple but impactful: spend 67 minutes of your time working to improve the world, in honour of the 67 years Tata Madiba dedicated to fighting for human rights and social justice.
However, Mandela Day is more than a symbolic day; it encourages us to turn moments into momentum and actions into sustainable change.
A Legacy Rooted in Service and Sacrifice
Nelson Mandela’s remarkable journey is a story of sacrifice, principle, justice, and equality. He had faith in the power of unity. He would remind us, “It is in the character of growth that we ought to learn both from pleasant and unpleasant experiences.”
But of course, we need to remember that Mandela was not alone, he was one person in a time of a movement, a movement of young people, youth, freedom fighters of a broader generation that sacrificed so much of themselves for other people’s freedom. When we celebrate Mandela Day, it isn’t merely just another day on a calendar but an opportunity for us to pause, reflect, and recommit ourselves to the values he stood for: empathy, perseverance, justice, dignity, and hope, but also importantly, to put those values into practice.
A Seed for Lifelong Impact
It may seem small, just over an hour out of an entire year. But when multiplied across households, communities, and countries, those 67 minutes hold the power to transform lives.
At SAAYC, we encourage young people to look beyond just that hour. I mean, how can your 67 minutes spark 67 days of real community leadership? And isn’t it amazing to think that one simple act of kindness could lead to changes that last for generations? Whether you’re volunteering at a shelter, tidying up your neighbourhood, mentoring someone younger, or just being there to listen, each little effort weaves into this big picture of a kinder, more connected society. It’s all about those small steps.
Youth Leading with Purpose
This Mandela Day, our young leaders at SAAYC are stepping up; it’s not just about getting involved, they’re leading the charge for change. Whether it’s putting together clothing drives or running career readiness workshops in areas that need it most, our youth get that their voices and actions truly matter.
“I always thought I had to wait until I was older or had more money to make a difference,” Naledi, one of our youth ambassadors, shares. “But Mandela Day showed me that even my time, my skills, and my smile can make a real impact.”
This mindset, this sense of agency and responsibility, is what we try to foster every single day, not just on Mandela Day.
Building a Culture of Service
Mandela once said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.”
SAAYC is assisting young people to internalise this ethic of service through our various programmes in leadership development, community outreach, and youth empowerment. Change with impact comes with time. It does not come from one Day of Goodwill efforts but from consistent, intentional efforts over time.
We believe that young people actively participate in and shape the change in perspective.
Beyond July 18th
“Mandela Day” does not signify the end; it serves as the beginning. Alongside celebrating it, we encourage every South African, especially the youth, to embody the legacy of Mandela daily. Participate in community projects. Give mentorship. Establish a school aid group. Assist someone in need. Begin with 67 minutes, and then foster the potential for lifelong impact.
Envision this nation wherein countless small contributions combine to be part of this movement. That is the South Africa of Mandela’s vision, and it remains within our reach.
“Mandela Day is more than commemorating an event once a year; it is a reminder to live with selflessness, have courage, and serve with compassion. South Africa’s youth are required to not only indulge the spirit of Madiba, but actively carry it to the future,” said Mr Mthandeni Mbhele.
May this day serve as a point to jump off from, and not only as a single day of work, but a lifetime of impact fuelled by purpose.
#MandelaDay | #67Minutes | #SAAYCServes | #YouthWithImpact
To learn more about SAAYC’s leadership and community development initiatives, visit www.saayc.co.za
