The City of Cape Town’s librarians are gearing up to celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18, 2023. This special day is observed every year to honor the life and legacy of South Africa’s late former President and global icon, Nelson Mandela.
The United Nations General Assembly designated July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009. The day aims to inspire individuals worldwide to contribute towards building a better world, just like Mandela did throughout his life. The global movement encourages people to commit 67 minutes of service to their communities, symbolizing the 67 years that Mandela devoted to the fight for liberation.
The Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross, commends Cape Town’s librarians for their commitment to Mandela Day celebrations. The librarians embody the values of compassion, acceptance, and care that Mandela exemplified in his life. Van der Ross encourages local citizens to participate and support the librarians’ efforts to give back to their communities.
The libraries across the City of Cape Town have organized a range of exciting activities to commemorate Nelson Mandela International Day. On July 17, Scottsdene Library will host a teen knitting session, while Lotus River Library will organize a storytelling session with LiBee, their libraries’ mascot, accompanied by arts and crafts at noon.
On the day of Mandela Day, July 18, several libraries including Kensington Library will host soup kitchens, with the Kensington Library catering to the Kensington Home of the Aged. Macassar Library will hold a talk on drug abuse, and Fisantekraal Library will organize a community parking lot clean-up. Philippi East will run a soup kitchen at the Masakhane Old Age Home and offer storytelling and arts and crafts for younger children. Huguenot Square will host storytelling, arts and crafts, and serve soup and bread to the community.
Belhar Library is planning a soup kitchen at the Freedom Farm informal settlement, and Scottsdene Library will establish a vegetable garden. Otter Library will distribute soup and sandwiches, and Gordon’s Bay Library will spearhead a beach clean-up. Observatory Library will provide breakfast and coffee in front of the library, while Lotus River Library is set to visit Home Morea’s senior citizens and host a soup kitchen at noon.
Finally, Bishop Lavis Library will hold a soup kitchen in the library hall on July 23, marking the conclusion of these heartwarming events aimed at fostering a sense of community and embodying the spirit of Nelson Mandela International Day.
Through these storytelling sessions and acts of kindness, the City of Cape Town’s librarians are playing an invaluable role in upholding Mandela’s legacy and reminding us all of the power of unity and compassion. Mandela once said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.” Cape Town’s librarians are certainly making a positive difference in their communities.
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