By Judith Dumbutshena, Sector Communicator, Sector of South Africa

Every year on July 18th, people across the globe celebrate Nelson Mandela Day in honour of the birthday of Nelson Mandela, the iconic leader who dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, equality, and freedom. The day serves as a call to action, encouraging individuals to spend 67 minutes in service—a tribute to the 67 years Mandela devoted to serving humanity.

This year, Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission embraced the spirit of Mandela Day with a heartfelt and inspiring celebration that brought together children, staff, and key stakeholders, including members of the Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth. The event began with a warm welcome song from the children and staff, followed by a prayer from the director and an uplifting address from a guest speaker, who shared the significance of the day and outlined the program ahead.

Children were grouped by age and rotated through four engaging activity stations, each led by enthusiastic staff and volunteers from the diocese:

• Dance (Compassion Club & Main Hall): A professional dancer led energetic routines, bringing joy and unity through movement and rhythm.
• Art (Partnership Club): Children expressed their creativity through drawings and collages, showcasing vibrant works that reflected hope and imagination.
• Painting (Empowerment Club): Participants painted symbols of unity and peace, decorating classroom walls with meaningful messages.
• Storytelling (New Classrooms): Captivating stories inspired listening skills and imagination, reinforcing values of compassion and courage.

Lunch was enjoyed in each club, and every child received a party pack to take home. Generous contributions from William Moffet PnP Hypermarket and FFS Refinery Pty Ltd added to the day’s success by providing food donations, ensuring that no child left without a smile.

Beyond the indoor celebrations, Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission also took Mandela’s message of community service to heart with a community clean-up initiative. Staff, volunteers, and children equipped with gloves and garbage bags hit the streets to clean up sidewalks and public spaces. In just 67 minutes, their collective effort made a visible difference, proving that small acts of kindness can create a powerful impact.

“This day is more than just picking up papers,” said one staff member. “It’s about teaching the next generation the value of taking care of their community and showing how small actions can lead to big change.”

“It felt good to do something that helps everyone,” shared one young participant as she placed the final bag of collected waste into a disposal bin.

Elsewhere in the community, Good Shepherd Mission in Hebron marked the day with a moving recital from the little ones, who performed a poem honouring Mandela’s legacy. Their touching words were followed by an inspiring speech from an adult learner in the sewing school, who reflected on Mandela’s sacrifices for South Africa’s liberation and his vision of a united, non-discriminatory ‘rainbow nation.’ She reminded the children that Mandela’s spirit lives on through the values he championed.

At Good Shepherd CLC Madidi, Mandela Day was commemorated by giving back to the community through the distribution of cabbages and blankets to students and local residents, providing warmth and nourishment in his honour.

From colourful art to community clean-ups, from storytelling to acts of generosity, this year’s Nelson Mandela Day at Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission was a beautiful reflection of the values Mandela stood for—unity, compassion, service, and hope. Through these collective efforts, his enduring legacy continues to inspire new generations to build a more inclusive and caring world.