Origins of Mandela day
On this day, the UN asked individuals around the world to mark the day by making a difference in their communities.
July 18 is more than a celebration of the world icon Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy; it is a global movement to honour his life’s work and to change the world for the better.
Today the world gears up to celebrate 101 years since the birth of Tata, as he was affectionately known.
Every year on the day he was born, the world observes international Mandela day with acts of kindness.
In November 2009 the United Nations took a resolution to declare 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of the former South African president’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.
The Nelson Mandela foundation said the day was inspired by a call Mandela made in 2008, for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices when he said that “it is in your hands now”.
On this day, the UN asked individuals around the world to mark the day by making a difference in their communities.
“Everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better, and Mandela Day is an occasion for everyone to take action and inspire change,” the UN said in a statement.
Madiba, who spent 27 years of his life in prison for fighting for the freedom of black people, was hailed for also fighting for the rights of prisoners.
In December 2015, the General Assembly decided to extend the scope of Nelson Mandela International Day to also be used to promote humane conditions of imprisonment, to raise awareness about prisoners being a continuous part of society and to value the work of prison staff as a social service of particular importance.
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