What Does Mandela Day mean? Voices from the street about what they plan to do on day

WITH Mandela Day approaching on Friday, 18 July, Bolander took to the streets to find out what local residents think about the day and how they plan to mark it.

- CARMEN JACOBS

According to information on the Nelson Mandela Foundation's website, Mandela Day, officially declared by the United Nations in 2009, encourages people to spend 67 minutes doing good for others a minute for every year Nelson Mandela dedicated to public service.

Shamiema Rogan from Strand said she was familiar with the day and its purpose.

“The day is to celebrate Mandela's legacy,” she said. While she has no plans this year, she hopes to take part in future.

“I would love to visit a shelter and maybe give the children something to eat or toys to play with. If you can lend a hand to someone, then why not do it.”

Andre Kotze, a retired police officer from Gordon's Bay, said he had seen hardship firsthand.

“I worked in the streets as part of the K9 Maitland dog unit. We saw the poverty. In many cases, we connected with social workers and tried to assist.”

For him, helping orphaned children remains a priority. “They have no one else if they don't have parents,” he said.