Municipalities celebrate Mandela Day by carrying out community service initiatives
Additional activities included painting public buildings, repairing water and sanitation infrastructure, and distributing food to vulnerable residents.
ERMELO – As the world prepared to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy on his birthday, July 18, Mpumalanga geared up to mark the occasion with a wide range of community service initiatives across all 17 local municipalities.
The Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, issued a directive that Mandela Day activities be rolled out in various wards across the province, emphasising the importance of active community involvement. He called on residents to play their part in addressing the challenges faced by underprivileged communities.
This year’s Mandela Day theme, “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality,” encourages renewed efforts to confront persistent social and economic challenges.
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It calls on individuals to help build a fairer and more just society.
Premier Ndlovu, together with Msukaligwa executive mayor Mapule Nkosi and local councillors, pledged to spend 67 minutes repairing damaged roads in selected streets.
The gesture aligns with the international campaign that encourages people to devote 67 minutes of service – symbolising the 67 years Mandela dedicated to public life – to meaningful acts of community upliftment.
Additional activities included painting public buildings, repairing water and sanitation infrastructure, and distributing food to vulnerable residents.
Local leaders, councillors and community members were urged to unite in service to demonstrate their commitment to Mandela’s values of dignity, justice and compassion.
Premier Ndlovu said these collective efforts reflect the Mpumalanga Government’s commitment to humanitarian service, and its continued resolve to uphold Mandela’s legacy by tackling poverty and inequality in the province.
