“When Mandela dies will we be able to keep his legacy alive?” This was a question that was often asked after Nelson Mandela’s health began to fail.  As this year’s International Mandela Day approached, the question would be answered.

For a few weeks before the 18th of July, the radio stations and television channels urged listeners and viewers to “remember Mandela’s legacy” and “to let other people know what they were doing for their 67 minutes of service to others”.  As different groups and individuals shared their plans, an air of excitement grew.

There was an invitation to meet at Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, and knit 67 blankets for homeless people, while others were invited to offer their services by painting and cleaning at different charity homes. People were urged to visit the aged or to sponsor a poor child by buying them school uniforms and books.

The staff members of different national and provincial government departments, businesses, school children and individuals all responded by offering their time and talents to serve others “as Mandela did”.

Mr Nhlanhla Musa Nene, the national Minister of Finance, spent his day chatting to  the children at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria and visiting the staff and clients at women’s shelters. Mercy House, our shelter for victims of domestic violence in Pretoria, welcomed him and staff members of the National Treasury who prepared a lunch for the women and gave each woman a knapsack of toiletries.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu spent his 67 minutes reading to children at a nursery school in a very poor area of Cape Town. Different businesses established gardens on the pavements outside their buildings to improve the environment. Individuals cleaned up river banks.

Members of the Mobile Military Health Formation of the South African Defence Force offered their 67 minutes to Mercy House as well. They arrived with a very generous donation of vegetables and groceries and during the morning, they cleared the gutters of leaves, varnished the doors and wendy house, spring cleaned the rooms and gave the poles of the lapa a coat of creosote. After all the hard work was completed, Brigadier General S. Dibetsoe addressed his unit and the Mercy House staff and clients, stressing the importance of Mandela Day and all it means for nation building in South Africa. He then presented each woman with an umbrella: “For our beloved Madiba’s life was not about waiting for the storm to pass, but rather his life was about learning to dance in the rain. So whether there’s sunshine or rain in our lives or country, know that Madiba’s life has taught us peace, freedom, forgiveness and reconciliation. Therefore fellow South Africans, whenever you see an umbrella, rejoice…because Madiba has made a difference. Should you see an umbrella, in sunshine or rain, ask yourself: Am I making a difference? Live your lives in such a way that you keep Mandela’s legacy alive.”

The activities of this year’s Mandela Day proved that his legacy is still alive, very much alive.

Colleen Wilkinson rsm
South African Province