Pretoria – Nelson Mandela Day, according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, is a call to action for all citizens to support those in need. On Tuesday, the Deputy President led a commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day at the Morris Isaacson High School in Jabavu, Soweto.
The day is an annual worldwide commemoration of former President and struggle hero Nelson Mandela. This year’s theme was ‘Climate, Food, and Solidarity,’ in a call to respond to the consequences of climate change while also addressing the concerns of poverty and inequality.
“When the United Nations established Nelson Mandela Day, it was to say that on this day, for even a few minutes, do something to improve the lives of others.” “We work on Nelson Mandela Day,” he remarked. Addressing students visiting the school, Deputy President Mashatile emphasized the significance of selecting Morris Isaacson High School as the location for this year’s events.
“We chose to come to your school because Tsietsi Mashinini will be honored today.” We felt it was vital to visit the school where he had previously attended.
“You are following in the footsteps of a key cadre in our movement.” Tsietsi Mashinini and his age began the Afrikaans protest in 1976. But it wasn’t just a fight against Afrikaans; it was the start of a fight for a better South Africa, not just better education.
“So we are here today in South Africa because of…Tsietsi Mashinini’s work, the struggles that he fought with his generation that brought us here.” So we honor them, as well as the generation of young leaders who stood up and said, “We will bring about change in this country,” he remarked.
The Deputy President sowed seeds at the school for a vegetable patch, which is intended to provide veggies to the school and students in need.
He also put a wreath at the memorial to Tsietsi Mashinini.
