Today is our first Mandela Day without President Nelson Mandela. And as in the past, South Africans and global citizens are rallying in their masses to honour Madiba through 67 minutes of selfless service.
Media analysts, Media Tenor, says the global media’s reaction to Mandela’s death in December last year highlights the “incredible influence” he had in life and in death.
“The father of the nation’s departure was covered by more international media outlets and in a more positive way than the deaths of other former heads of state. This has served to underline the unique nature of his personal media profile; and the way his life and legacy will forever be held in high regard the world over,” Media Tenor said in its latest research.
His legacy is still one of uniting people, not just in South Africa, but around the world. “It is remarkable how his life, and eventually his passing, touched so many people around the world — especially in an era when almost nothing is agreed upon. Just about every report concerning President Mandela was positive in December and the months which followed,” says Andley Wu, a researcher at Media Tenor.
Mandela’s legacy is cherished globally. Media Tenor points out that even during his final days, the world chose to honour his name by recognising his accomplishments, rather than dwell in the sadness off his passing.
We have taken a look at some of the media’s Mandela Day initiatives in South Africa.
Mandela Day website inspires action and change
Take action. Inspire change. Make every day a Mandela Day. So says the call to action on the recently relaunched Mandela Day website, a platform for global public service in honour of the great statesman and one that has particular relevance in the first year since his passing.
The site has been designed and developed by Flow Communications on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) to pay homage to Madiba, to celebrate his legacy and to encourage the world to live by his values – on Nelson Mandela International Day, 18 July, and every day. It is an innovative, interactive portal that connects individuals, groups and communities as global change makers in the initiatives they are undertaking to make a difference.
“Flow Communications boldly took on this mammoth challenge for the Foundation in a short period to honour our late founder and to assist us in living his legacy every day. Partners such as these aid us in making the mandate left to us by Madiba a reality,” says Danielle Melville, director of communications and outreach at the NMF.
Inspirational videos from change makers all over the world are also available, including interviews with Nelson Mandela’s grandson and chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council, Mandla Mandela, and one of South Africa’s most esteemed entrepreneurs and the founder of Nando’s, Robert Brozin. The site also features videos of endorsement from Will Smith, Richard Branson, Brad Pitt, Bono and former United
Says Richard Frank, head of the Flow Communications web development team, “A number of technical features have also been incorporated to make it both user-friendly and innovative, including a geolocation search, which allows you to enter your current location and find events close to you, and a social wall that feeds in social activity from various platforms using the #MandelaDay and #Time2Serve hashtags. The ‘Take action’ page features lazy loading, which means that more information is loaded the further down you scroll, meaning you don’t have to reload the page.”
The Lego Movie does Mandela – and auctions figurines
A one of a kind Lego Mini-figure collection made up of three Nelson Mandela Lego Mini-Figures at three moments during his life went on on auction today on www.bidorbuy.co.za. These were created to coincide with the South African DVD release The LEGO Movie. At the same time, five special figurines were created for some of SA’s hottest celebrities to celebrate Mandela Day on Friday 18 July.
Figurines of Bonang Matheba, 5fFM’s DJ Fresh, media personality Gareth Cliff, radio and TV presenter Lee-Roy Wright as well as YouTube sensation, Casper Lee were created. But a one-
The winner will be the person who bids the highest rand value during the duration of the auction. The money from the auction will be donated towards setting up Lego Educational and Play areas for the Nelson Mandela Day Library Initiative.
Bikers for Mandela Day take action against abuse!
Zelda la Grange, DJ Fresh, Saint Seseli, Angie Khumalo, Anele Mdoda, Alex Caige, Clint Cunningham and Johrne van Huyssteen have taken part in another Bikers for Mandela Day event. Bikers for Mandela Day is one of the many activities taking place under the umbrella of the broader Mandela Day campaign.
1st for Women Insurance, via its charitable trust, the 1st for Women Foundation, suppored the group of bikers on their 2014 Bikers for Mandela Day journey.
“In South Africa, violence against women continues, unabated. With this in mind, we have dedicated our 2014 journey to the survivors of gender-based violence. We want to encourage more women to speak out, to take action, to follow through so that their perpetrators can be brought to book,” said Zelda la Grange, Madiba’s former assistant and the Patron of the 1st for Women Foundation
The bikers participating in the initiative will support organisations that assist survivors of gender based violence and rape in Diepsloot, Vryburg, Kimberley and Bloemfontein.
“We encourage all South Africans to make every day a Mandela Day. There are so many simple ways we can do this and the great thing is that it doesn’t necessarily have to cost a cent. Acts of kindness like volunteering at your local charity organisation or reading to those that can’t – it all counts,” says La Grange.
Groupon South Africa partners with Smile Foundation
Groupon South Africa has made it easy for South Africans to do their bit by making a difference by donating to the Smile Foundation through Groupon South Africa, helping a child in need get their winning smile back.
Sticking to the theme of giving 67 minutes, donations start at R67 and then increase in the increments of R167, R267, R567 and R1067.
Smile Foundation was set up in 2000 after a personal request from Nelson Mandela, who became the charity’s Chief Patron, and is dedicated to transforming the lives of children with facial conditions. Through their work they give children the gift of surgery and enhance paediatric facilities and equipment within the hospitals they are partnered with.
To date, Smile Foundation has helped more than 1 000 children and want to help many more. They need your donations to help them continue their work. For more information or to donate to Smile Foundation click here.
ABI Employees Volunteer on Mandela Day
Over 100 ABI employees will volunteer their time to make a positive impact on a primary school in Atteridgeville this Mandela Day. But it’s not a once-off occasion.
Yet, with several hundred ABI employees volunteering thousands of hours annually – and with several millions of Rands invested in 20 projects in 13 communities around the country – this is no once-off project for ABI.
“Although we do a lot of volunteering year round, the 18 July is a commemorative day to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela,” says director of Corporate Affairs, Tshidi Ramogase, of ABI’s Employee Volunteerism Programme (EVP).
“As such, we hope that our activities on this day inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in so doing, build a global movement for good. Ultimately, it seeks to empower communities everywhere – and not just for one day – but over the long term.”
SABC celebrates Madiba Month
The SABC is celebrating Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July, through various activations and campaigns to mark the late former President’s birthday.
SABC will be working with one of its radio stations in the Northern Cape, XK FM to donate food parcels and blankets to the elderly in Platfontein near Kimberly also providing them with seeds to assist them to plant their own vegetable gardens. SABC will also be handing over a house in Venda through one of our radio stations in that province, Phalaphala FM.
SABC staff will join Thobela FM on a project that was identified in Lebowakgomo to clean up a home for children with disabilities.
Meanwhile, SABC’s Munghana Lonene FM has a plan to bring relief to communities while restoring dignity through a Donate a House initiative that has been going on for more than nine years. To date the station has donated a total of 15 houses to families in Limpopo.
During this year’s Mandela month celebrations, Munghana Lonene FM has identified not only a family that will receive a complete house but will go further and donate a pre-school to a needy community of Nkuzana Village in the Makhado municipality.
Umhlobo Wenene FM will embark on a series of CSI projects during the entire month of July. The station has partnerships in various provinces including Gauteng and Cape Town. Umhlobo’s–on-air personalities will interact with the children from Sinethemba Creche as well as the community at large by providing necessary goodies as per their need.
Ukhozi FM has given away a brand new, furnished house to a disadvantaged family from the rural land of Mvunyane, Esimashwini, in the Vryheid area. Among those that assisted with this selfless project, were business people that always partner with Ukhozi FM on the “LISTEN TO MY STORY” initiative.
Lotus FM is hosting a telethon encouraging listeners to phone in and pledge school shoes towards the Lotus FM Warm Hearts Campaign. The telethon will start from 7am to 6pm today. Durban. After the success of Lotus FM collecting more than R2million in honour of their Warm Hearts Campaign last year, Lotus FM would like to make this an annual event.
Radio 2000is celebrates 67 Minutes of community service by feeding the homeless and needy people living in and around Johannesburg CBD. The initiative started in 2011 in Pretoria CBD and has gained momentum with more sponsors coming on board each year. Dubbed “67 Minutes of Love”, Radio 2000 in partnership with SABC 2, City Parks, Aranda, Ulwazi Group, Nedbank, Iskcon, will spend the day giving love to the homeless and the needy in Joubert Park.
RSG and the SANBS (South African National Blood Service) have teamed up this year to do an on-air blood drive in partnership with to encourage the public to donate blood in order to save someone else’s life. The goal is to collect 6700 units of blood between 7 and 18 July and then culminate in achieving the target on Friday, 18 July on Mandela Day. Each RSG listener that donates blood during this period, is required to SMS the word BLOED (blood) and their donor number to RSG’s SMS line – 33343 – to track the progress towards the target. RSG listeners are also encouraged to take photos of their sessions whilst donating blood and to upload it onto RSG’s website and Tweet it to @zarsg with the hashtag #bloed (#blood).
SAFM will be going to the Northern Cape, Platfontein- Isibindi community project. The station has partnered with Nedbank and Gift of the Givers and they will be building a playground for the kids as well as supplying clothing, blankets and toiletries.
The SABC’s official hashtag for Mandela Day is #Do67Minutes
Heart 104.9FM supports 67 Minutes for Mandela
Heart 104.9FM’s Aden Thomas will visit the Maitland Garden Village old age home where Mayor Patricia De Lille will host a tea party for the aged. Kim Cloete will help paint and clean the rooms in Wola Nani home, which provides valuable OVC care (Orphan Vulnerable Children) in Mfuleni. Clarence Ford will join the team from Alfa Bodyworks who will be feeding the community of Heins Park in
Heart 104.9FM says it recognises the significance of this important message by involving our brand in community related initiatives and embracing our Heart family.
Algoa FM reaches out beyond 67 minutes with the Power of Radio
Algoa FM presenters will be out and about investing 67 minutes for a charity in their broadcast area to mark Mandela Day. Each presenter has selected a charity that is close to their hearts in which they will be spending their 67 minutes with today.
“This approach encourages and informs Algoa FM listeners about 11 different charities stretching from the Garden Route to the Wild Coast and inland to the borders of the Eastern Cape. Algoa FM listeners and presenters are then able to be of greater assistance in meeting the needs of the various charities” says Algoa FM PR and CSI Manager Jennilee Peremore.
“The charities will also benefit from the exposure they enjoy as each presenter promotes their beneficiary on air.
“Listeners have been invited to visit our website to find out more about the charity, what their needs are, and how the listener can help.
Landmark documentary provides most intimate portrayal of Madiba
Behind the poster child of freedom is the reality of a man who inspired the world. Leading historical entertainment channel, HISTORY® on DStv channel 186, uncovers the heart of the real Nelson Mandela in the poignant Nelson Mandela: Redrawn, to be broadcast on Mandela Day on Friday, 18 July 2014 at 20:30.
Nelson Mandela: Redrawn features the personal accounts of Charlize Theron, Bono, Ian McKellen, Bill Cosby, Jeremy Thompson, Larry King and Richard Branson and their interactions with Nelson Mandela, which combine to create a landmark television event. Beyond the history and the fame lies the even more amazing truth about the world’s greatest statesman. This most intimate portrayal reaches into the very soul of what made Nelson Mandela an icon, and gazes inside the life of the man that fathered the Rainbow Nation.
Using animation to recreate lost events, NelsonMandela: Redrawn uses the personal celebrity stories and footage from around the globe to deliver the most human and humble moments in the form of a living legacy to South Africa’s most famous leader.
Other programmes included in celebration of Mandela Day include:
Eddie Izzard’s Mandela Marathons – Friday 18 July at 19.40
This series sees comedian Eddie Izzard attempt to run an incredible 27 marathons in 27 consecutive days across South Africa to commemorate each of the 27 years of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration. Eddie’s marathons give him a chance to tell Mandela’s story as well as the turbulent history of South Africa.
Mandela’s World Cup (Brand New) – Friday 18 July at 22.10
In 2004, a frail Nelson Mandela flew to Zurich against the wishes of his wife and Doctors in order to lobby FIFA to bring Africa’s first World Cup to South Africa in 2010. His charisma and charm sealed the deal for a young democracy newly emerged from a turbulent past. In the build-up to the FIFA 2014 World Cup, this brand new documentary explores Mandela’s influence on securing and shaping the previous tournament held in South Africa. It explores how the tournament came to symbolise Africa’s re-emergence as a place of prosperity and growth, and embodied the optimism and opportunity Nelson Mandela envisaged for the continent as a whole.
