LET’S TAKE ACTION AND INSPIRE THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE THIS MANDELA DAY
This month on Saturday 18 July marked the birthday of our former President Nelson Mandela. In previous years many of us would have commemorated the day doing various outdoor activities to mark 67 minutes. These charitable activities usually included painting of schools, fund raising walks, feeding the elderly, and many others.
For the first time since the commemoration of this day started, we will not be able to take part in activities which involve being outside and engaging as groups due to COVID-19 restrictions.
But in the spirit of Nelson Mandela, I trust that all of us will still find a way of helping, uplifting, sharing and showing love to those less fortunate, whilst respecting the restrictions put in place. COVID-19 has caused devastation and pain beyond any other pandemic in our country and the world at large. Companies have collapsed, people have lost their jobs and continue to do so, and families are losing bread winners through COVID-19 deaths.
“In 2020, it will be the day we share the successes we have achieved and the lessons we have learned as we battle this pandemic, and its effect on those less fortunate than ourselves.” (Nelson Mandela Foundation).
One of the lessons we are learning is that we can’t afford to be relaxed or get COVID-19 tired, as the virus is spreading faster and wider daily. We therefore have to re-commit and re-group to fight this virus so that we are around to tell our individual and collective success stories in the years to come.
It means continuing to protect ourselves, our loved ones and colleagues by wearing masks, washing hands properly and practicing social distancing.
Mandela Day is about taking action and inspiring change.
I encourage you to use your 67 minutes inspiring those within your circle who may be anxious, stressed, in isolation, in quarantine and discouraged during the month of July. Your voice and your words of encouragement may be just what they dearly need this year to give them hope.
Take action by showing love and compassion to families, relatives, the vulnerable and the sick by not visiting them in person. But by calling them, chatting with them through digital platforms and helping them in whatever form or nature responsibly – from a distance.
Let us all team Up to Beat COVID-19. Let us all take action and inspire the change we want to see!
Kind regards
Francina Mosoeu
Principal Officer – SAMWUMED
