Mandela Day 2020: 15 ways to celebrate

Every year on 18 July, South Africa celebrates Mandela Day by doing acts of kindness.

Nelson Mandela was known as a global icon of peace and kindness. It is through his life that many learned the power of forgiveness and unity. 

Although the day is normally celebrated with events, this year’s Mandela Day comes at a time where South Africa is under lockdown because of the Coronavirus. This means no public gatherings or going to visit others. 

READ: Foundation: Make every day a Mandela Day

But you can still celebrate while taking all the necessary precautions. 

The Mandela Day website has released a list of how people can partake in this year’s Mandela Day celebration:

- Put together stationery packs (pens, stickers, coloured paper, scissors, etc.) for teachers at an under-resourced school.

- Do a neighbourhood clean-up armed with plastic gloves and black bags.

- Sort donated clothes at U-turn or The Warehouse. (Phone ahead to organise!)

- Volunteer your time at a Haven Night Shelter.

- Make ‘care kits’ (including a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, face cloth, etc. ) for patients at a nearby government hospital.

- Throw a tea party for the children and carers at a children’s home.

- Offer to mow the lawn and fix up the garden at a nursing home or hospice.

- Research an issue you’d like to find out more about and then share your findings with friends on social media.

- Pack meals at Canal Walk for under-resourced pre-schools through Stop Hunger Now.

- Support local and visit the Department of Coffee in Khayalitsha for a cup of their finest brew.

- As an office, make sandwiches to give to people living on the street – and why not sit and have lunch with them while you’re at it?

- Organise a fun outing for children in an HIV/Aids programme.

- Offer to read stories to children at a children’s home.

- Learn First Aid.

- Give blood.

Image courtesy of AFP.

READ: Good Morning Angels supports DJ Jazzy D's goal to feed 67,000 people on Mandela Day 2020