A call has been made on people around the globe to volunteer 67 minutes of their time for community service.
Lead SA, the Department of Basic Education and the Nelson Mandela Foundation supported by the Shout Foundation, Proudly South African and Brand SA have partnered to get the world to sing the song and do 67 minutes of service.
“The countdown to International Mandela Day has started – there is one month to go. The words ‘Mandela, Madiba and Tata’ unite our nation and the world,” said Lead SA’s Yusuf Abramjee, speaking at the launch of the Happy Birthday song at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg.
“We have been called to action by our former President, our interactional icon, our elder statesman, our hero, our leader and the father of the nation – who has given so selflessly of himself through personal sacrifice and a profound amount of heart, compassion, reconciliation and forgiveness.
“Madiba allows us to dream. He makes us believe in possibility. He undoubtedly unites us.”
Last year, Lead SA and the Department of Basic Education together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation united the voices of South Africa to sing Happy Birthday to Madiba on July 18. Millions of school children and ordinary South Africans made this possible.
“This year we decided to go even bigger,” said Abramjee.
Panyaza Lesufi of the Department of Basic Education, said: “We are not only appealing to millions of people around the world to do 67 minutes of community service on July 18 – but also to show how much we love Tata by singing a very special Happy Birthday song to him.”
On Tuesday, 29 May, people gathered in their thousands at Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg to record the song.
Lead SA’s Terry Volkwyn said the song is a call to action. “Madiba’s legacy is one of active citizenship.
“Stand up, do the right thing and make a difference. Despite the many challenges that face South Africa, its citizens are a vibrant nation that show us time and time again that the spirit of Ubuntu is alive and well.
“There is no better tribute we can pay to Madiba’s legacy than developing our nation into an active civil society that selflessly rolls up its sleeves and makes a difference,” said Volkwyn.
“Whatever you do – whether it’s painting the walls of a crèche, reading to an elderly person or picking up litter – no act of volunteerism is too big or too small. It all makes a difference!
“Nelson Mandela has given us so much to aspire to and has empowered us with the tools and spirit to be the foot-soldiers of his proud legacy,” Volkwyn added.
Abramjee said: “Whether you at home, in your car, in the street, in a factory or office or at school at 8am on July 18, take a minute and sing the special Happy Birthday song.
“But most of all it is about calling each and every citizen to action. Do your 67 minutes of community service on Mandela Day. In fact, do more if you can – make every day a Mandela Day,” he added.
The partners said over the next month a number of plans have been put in place to rally the nation.
The song was released recently and features a string of prominent artists and musicians.