​Today, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa, heeded the call to action by government in the run up to the celebration of Mandela day. This is a call to action for the world to participate to be inspired by the theme by contributing 67 minutes of our time to help those in need.

President Jacob Zuma declared 2015 as the Year of the Freedom Charter and Unity in Action as it marks its 60th anniversary. And what better way to give expression to this milestone through celebrating Mandela Day.

Together with the community, the Deputy Minister repainted and furnished the home of Mr. Vumile Ndlebende, an 82-year old pensioner ,in the township of Fort Jackson, Eastern Cape. This included painting the house on the inside and outside, fixing the ceiling, providing kitchen flooring over his previous cement floor, a kitchen cupboard and a bedroom cupboard. He did not have a cupboard and any place to pack his groceries before. They also provided a bed with new bedding.

While these items might seem common place to most of us, it means everything to someone that has nothing. This embodied the theme of Mandela Day 2015 “Take Action - Inspire Change - Make Every Day a Mandela Day”. Mr. Ndlebende was very overwhelmed and overcome with emotion by this gesture of love. Mandela Day is not only about doing good - it is about service and it is an opportunity to build upon his lifelong belief that we must live to serve every day, in whatever we do.

Enquiries:

Natasha Rockman
Media Liaison Officer
Deputy Ministry of Tourism
Cell: +27 (0) 76 429 2264
Email: nrockman@tourism.gov.za