Embassy Activities

Welcome to the South African Embassy website.

Nelson Mandela Month 2019

Make everyday a Mandela Day: Contributing 67 minutes of our time to help those in need

In July, South Africa celebrates former President Nelson Mandela's birthday. 18 July has been declared Nelson Mandela International Day, but as South Africans we embrace the chance to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life for the whole of July. This gives everyone the opportunity to heed the call to action for people to recognise their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them.

A global movement for positive change begins with small actions. As each person acts, they fuel momentum toward positive change, raising awareness and expanding the reach of Mr Mandela’s values – fighting injustice, helping people in need and practicing reconciliation.

What can you do for Mandela Month

Here are some ideas on how you can contribute:

• Contact your local HIV organisation and find out how you can help.
• Help out at your local hospice.
• Many terminally ill people have no friends or family who can visit them. Take a little time to have a chat and find out what they need.
• Donate toys to the children's ward at your local hospital.
• Tutor kids in a school subject you are good at.
• Donate your old computer to a school.
• Donate books to a school.

Background

Mr Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994. As a champion of reconciliation, he was instrumental in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was set up by South Africa’s Government of National Unity to help deal with the atrocities of apartheid.

Before his presidency, Mandela was heavily involved in anti-apartheid activities. He served 27 years in prison, many of which were spent with other sentenced freedom fighters.

While officially retired, he continued to voice his opinion on topical humanitarian issues and campaigns globally for peace, children and the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Government calls on all South Africans to contribute to the social and economic security of Africans, by living the values of our Constitution that provides for the rights of all people living in our country and the affirms democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom for all.

Moral Regeneration Month 2019

July marks the commemoration of Moral Regeneration Month, an initiative of the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM), which is aimed at encouraging people to recommit to efforts of building communities grounded on positive values and rededicate to building a caring society in pursuit of creating lasting peace and prosperity in the country.

The commemoration takes place specifically in July to:

Coincide with the celebration of Mandela Day on 18 July and the birthday month of former President Nelson Mandela, an icon who is considered to be the main leader of the formation of the Moral Regeneration Movement, and Mark the adoption of the Charter for Positive Values on 28 July 2008.

International Nelson Mandela Day

Nelson Mandela International Day was launched in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s birthday on 18 July 2009 via unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly.

It was inspired by a call Nelson Mandela made a year earlier, for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices when he said that “it is in your hands now”.

It is more than a celebration of Madiba’s life and legacy; it is a global movement to honour his life’s work and to change the world for the better.

As South African Embassy Ankara we will honor Nelson Mandela's life and work by dedicating 67 minutes in preparation of food for the refugees as well as the distribution thereof at the UN premises on 18 July 2019. The Embassy is partnering with Ankara Refugee Lunch Support Group-ARLSG to honour International Nelson Mandela Day. Anyone who is interested to donate can contact with the Embassy.

Ambassador P I Malefane
South African Embassy in Ankara, Turkey