Mandela Day should be about how we show up daily

We must find and create moments that expand and enhance our human experience

- SMANGALISO MBILI

IN A world fractured by polarised politics, deepening inequality, climate disruption and rising violence, Nelson Mandela International Day (Mandela Day) offers more than just an ideal, it offers a necessary recalibration.

It reminds us that our humanity is intertwined, that no one thrives in isolation, and that justice, care and mutual dignity must be the foundation of our collective response.

It invites us not to ignore the complexity of these poly-crises, but to meet them differently. With humility. With solidarity. With the unwavering belief that I am because you are, that what we do for one, we do for all.

I have had the privilege of being part of intentional communities that ground themselves in the values Madiba lived by - values that speak to justice, dignity, service, and ubuntu... our shared humanity. Though he held many roles in his lifetime, Madiba's life was ultimately a testament to his unwavering commitment to dismantling systems of oppression, building bridges across divides, and restoring the humanity of those written out of power and opportunity.

Because of this, my interpretation of Mandela Day is anchored in the values he embodied in his service to humanity and the enduring invitation he left with us: “It is in your hands”.

To me, Mandela Day is an annual invitation to pause with intention and magnify service in practice, especially for those most vulnerable and underserved.

It is a global moment where I can join millions of people around the globe, to amplify acts of care and solidarity for at least 67 minutes. Acts that restore dignity, affirm humanity, and uphold freedom for all using whatever instrument is within reach.