Mandela Day: Giving back more than just on one day
The Nelson Mandela Foundation says South Africans should find ways to address issues within their communities on a continuous basis.
The foundation's been speaking ahead of Mandela Day, on July 18, a day commemorated globally and by South Africans alike - dedicated to making some impact in one's immediate community.
Declared by the United Nations in November 2009, it's a continuation of the legacy of Madiba and of the humanitarian work and service that encompassed 67 years of his lifetime.
The foundation's media analyst Lunga Nene says they're spending their 67 minutes at the YMCA Hall in Soweto - a community centre for the youth.
She says the core focus area this year is 'taking action against poverty'.
"It is no longer enough to take time that is one-day specific to say you're helping a community or addressing a social ill. The first point of contact for us is that every day is a Mandela Day. We're urging everyone who is doing something on the day or any other day in the name of Mandela Day to communicate with us [on social media], " she says.
Meanwhile, the Trek4Mandela team consisting of 23 climbers today began their ascent on Mount Kilimanjaro. The expedition is in support of the Caring4Girls programme - an initiative that collects sanitary towels for school-going girls.