As South Africa joins the rest of the world in commemorating International Nelson Mandela Day, Sihle Zikalala, the premier of KwaZulu-Natal, has urged the people of the province to do their part to help the province move forward with economic recovery and reconstruction in the wake of recent challenges.
“As we recover from last year’s July unrest and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent flood disasters, we urge the people of KwaZulu-Natal to join the Mandela Day campaign by doing something that will make a difference wherever they are. Let us all do all we can to create a better world by building better families, better communities, and a better and a united KwaZulu-Natal,” Zikalala said.
Zikalala oversaw a significant cleanup and grass-cutting effort at Sisekelo High School, which is located in Kranskop and is administered by the Umvoti District Municipality, in commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day.
The Premier began the day by motivating the students in Grade 12 before leading a cleanup effort at the outlying school.
Mandela would have been glad to see us recognise and help people who are less fortunate among us, according to KZN Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
“Let’s do our bits wherever we are with whatever we have. Let’s fight gender-based violence when it rears its ugly head and ensure safe communities,” Dube-Ncube said.
Dube-Ncube was presenting medals and sports uniforms to various local teams that had participated in a sporting event in advance of Mandela Day while speaking to hundreds of community members at Acaciaville Sportsfield.
Together with Mbali Fraser, a member of the provincial legislature, and Siphiwe Mazibuko, a former district mayor, the MEC began the day by taking part in a number of activities, which included painting the home of a deceased community activist and former teacher named Khanyisile “Malumekazi” Ngobese-Sibisi, who passed away on July 18, 2021.
The house now functions as a soup kitchen, providing wholesome meals to the most indigent members of the neighbourhood.
“This is exactly what Nelson Mandela charged us with. He is constantly proud of the legacy that we keep alive. This should not be a once off gesture but a continuous act of generosity, dedication and commitment to the humankind. This is what Madiba would have wanted us to do,” Dube-Ncube said.
Dube-Ncube also went to the Memela residence in the region to offer food and sanitary supplies to Nosibusiso Memela, who has a disability and lives with her unemployed father.
To improve Nosibusiso’s mobility, the MEC promised to provide an electronic wheelchair.
The theme for Nelson Mandela Day in 2022 is “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
The 18th of July has been designated as International Nelson Mandela Day by the UN General Assembly for the past 13 years. Madiba urged everyone to honour him by supporting their communities after making the declaration.
Government officials respond to this request by travelling to different towns to help the needy through acts of kindness and community improvement.
Today’s activities include constructing food gardens, planting fruit and native trees, and teaching people about the impact of climate change and food security.
A symbolic walk will also be held to raise awareness of the problem of femicide and gender-based violence (GBVF).