South Africa Pavilion will hold charity activities with South African Consulate General on July 18, which will be the first “Mandela Day” set by the United Nations. It is also South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday.
Mr. Vika M. Khumalo, consulate general of South Africa in Shanghai, yesterday welcomed visitors and volunteers to take part in the “Mandela Day” activities at South Africa Pavilion.
Khumalo expressed his respect towards Mandela. He said: “Mandela not only does much for the New South Africa, but also uses almost his whole life to help people making progress, improving lives’ quality and fighting against the poverty.”
In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly announced that Mandela's birthday, July 18, was to be known as “Mandela Day.” Khumalo said it was not just a holiday, but a day to mark justice and Mandela’s spirits.
On Mandela’s 91st birthday, South Africa’s officials appealed people to join in charity activities for at least 67 minutes. That’s because Mandela began to devote himself into human rights campaign in South Africa in 1942. It was 67 years till last year. Millions of South Africans poured into streets, communities, resthomes and welfare houses. They spent that day in special work.
This time, South Africa brings “Mandela Day” to Expo Shanghai. Khumalo said it was not a show, but an action. Staff members of South African Consulate General and South Africa Pavilion would lead to do public services for at least 67 minutes. Khumalo welcomed people in Shanghai to make efforts to charity activities.
[Nelson Mandela’s Profile]
Mandela was born July 18, 1918. He served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.
Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). In 1962 he was arrested and convicted of sabotage and other charges, and sentenced to life in prison.
Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island. Following his release from prison on February 11, 1990, Mandela led his party in the negotiations that led to multi-racial democracy in 1994. As president from 1994 to 1999, he frequently gave priority to reconciliation.
In South Africa, Mandela is often known as Madiba, an honourary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. He has received more than 250 awards over four decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.
In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly announced that Mandela's birthday, July 18, is to be known as "Mandela Day" to mark his contribution to world freedom.
