​On what has become known as Mandela Day, acts of charity work are undertaken for 67 minutes each year on 18 July, the birthday of Tata Madiba.

The day brings with it a heightened sense of the needs in our communities and the service and assistance we can all offer to address those needs.

This year, the City participated in a number of community outreach initiatives as part of its Mandela Day commemoration on 18 July 2017. These included:

Walk Together Campaign

The City assisted the Elders Organisation with their Walk Together campaign in Cape Town on 17 and 18 July. The Elders is an independent group of eminent global leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela. The group offers its collective influence and experience to help resolve conflicts, address major causes of human suffering, and promote the shared interests of humanity. Some of the Elders include Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary-General); Graca Machel; Richard Branson; and Mary Robinson (former president of Ireland).

Morningstar Housing Project

A site visit was made to the Morningstar housing project by Cllr Brett Herron, Mayoral Committee Member for the Transport and Development Authority to assist with the completion of top structures for the project. The provision of housing opportunities remains one of the most critical needs across the country and is one of the key priorities for the Transport and Urban Development Authority.

SAFA 5-a-side soccer tournament

Cllr Diamond, as Mayoral Committee Member for Assets and Facilities Management, partnered with SAFA Cape Town to host a mini five-a-side soccer tournament at the Cape Town Athletics Stadium on 18 July. A total of 100 under-8 children were hosted from all SAFA regions including Bellville, Bothasig, Hanover Park, Rygate, Bloekombos, the City Bowl, Langa and Parow. Together with the City, SAFA and all the participating communities gave effect to Madiba’s belief that “sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”

“It was our pleasure to give these children, our budding soccer future, the opportunity to experience a first-class venue and participate in a fun, diverse tournament,” said Cllr Diamond.

Other events included a Decision Affects Destinies (DAD) initiative led by Cllr Eddie Andrews to donate care packages to survivors of sexual assault; the distribution of educational toys to educare centres in Manenberg, Ruyterwacht, Phola Park and Khayelitsha by Cllr Siyabulela Mamkeli; and a child safety project run in conjunction with the Metro Police neighbourhood safety officers in Bishop Lavis and led by Alderman JP Smith which included the creation of a hand print wall mural bearing the slogan, “Please protect these little hands”.