The Great Nelson ‘Madiba’ Mandela clocks 93 today
By Dennis Otim
18th July 2011:
On the occasion of Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday, his great friend and freedom fighter Archbishop Desmond Tutu said:
“…On 18th July, my dear friend Nelson Mandela – Madiba as we call him in South Africa – will be 93 and I know you will join me in wishing him a very happy day with his family and loved ones. Every day I give thanks to God for Madiba’s courage and commitment to the cause of freedom and justice and am delighted that his birthday is officially celebrated around the world as Nelson Mandela International Day”.
Madiba’s birthday wish
So what can we do to celebrate, Archbishop Tutu asks. “…In his wise way, Madiba asks us not to celebrate him on 18th July. His wish is that we mark the day by doing something for others. So I hope you will join us – the Elders – in fulfilling that wish. Let us mark Mandela Day by celebrating our collective power to do good for others and make the world a kinder and fairer place”, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said.
He added that, “…as Nelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life in the service of others, to honour him, we ask you to give 67 minutes to make a difference in your community and become a Mandela Day change maker. As he says, it is up to us now”.
It is time for the next generations to continue our struggle against social injustice and for the rights of humanity. It is in your hands – Nelson Mandela.
How you can make a difference?
It can be hard to imagine that our individual actions really make a difference in a world that is so full of suffering. But I want to assure you that they do. As Ela Bhatt writes in her magnificent blog Peace by practice: Mandela Day 2011, what we do each day “…is like ripples in water; small circles of change that grow ever wider”.
Many of you write to The Elders asking: “What can I do to help?” It can be the smallest gestures, closest to home, that matter most: helping a neighbour in need, organising a street clean up, or volunteering at a local youth group. There are plenty of ways to make a difference, not just on Mandela Day, but every day – here is a list of 67 ideas to get you started.
My friends, you have no excuse! As Gro Brundtland says, “…we want to inspire the conviction that we all can make a difference; that by our own actions, we can help make the world a better place”.
Please send your birthday wishes to The Great Nelson Mandela here below. END. Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
