Today, 18th July, is Nelson Mandela’s birthday, designated by the UN General Assembly as Nelson Mandela International Day.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation in South Africa has announced the central theme of the Day this year as “it’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.”
This theme underscores the urgent need for collective action to address social injustices and drive sustainable change on a global scale as well as within South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will also deliver the Opening of Parliament Address today, to outline the priorities of the seventh administration. This comes four weeks after the national and provincial elections, which has resulted in a Government of National Unity.
His spokesperson said the opening of parliament on Mandela’s birthday was a fitting tribute, as it calls on individuals and communities to take time to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and to make a positive impact on communities and globally.
The Nelson Madela Scottish Memorial Foundation will celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day with a Civic Reception hosted by Glasgow City Council’s Lord Provost.
Today would be a good day to watch our video from 2021 again. https://mandelascottishmemorial.org/mandeladay
This is one of the late John Stevenson’s amazing productions (in collaboration with Brian Filling) and a poignant reminder of his creativity and skill.
The content is a mix of music and speech, with film of the Mzansi Youth Choir in Mandela Place in 2014, and of Marah Louw in a large stadium in South Africa and then singing Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, as well as spoken clips of Brian Filling, Denis Goldberg, Marah Louw and some of the young people who have used our school resource pack, plus film clips of Mandela at different times, all woven together as only John knew how.