With commemorations set to be held for the birthday of late President Nelson Mandela this month, individuals, communities, and organisations are once again reminded to make a positive impact in their own communities.

This as Nelson Mandela International Day was launched in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s birthday on 18 July 2009 via a unanimous decision of the United Nation’s 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, ‘it is in your hands now.’ Every year, on the anniversary of Madiba’s birthday, the global community honour his life’s work by taking part in initiatives that make a difference in the lives of their communities,” the Nelson Mandela Foundation said.

This year’s Nelson Mandela Month and the International Mandela Day on 18 July will be celebrated under the theme: “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.”

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has published a list of 10 things to do this Mandela Day to honour Mandela.

Volunteer, collaborate, and come together:

• Take part in a street clean up in your neighbourhood. Cleaning the environment benefits the entire community in different ways. It provides a sense of dignity and safety.
• Spend time with the children or elderly people at an orphanage or old age home. Your presence playing games, reading to them, or just having a conversation could really brighten their day. This is about remembering everybody in your community, and reminding marginalised people that they belong.
• Collaborate with a school to paint the walls. Many schools in South Africa are in a poor state, and students have to learn in uninspiring, undignifying environments. Painting the walls is a great way of contributing to the students' success.
• Collect sanitary towels for disadvantaged women and girls in your community. You can even just join a sanitary towel drive through your local Dischem.

Donate, give, and share:

• Donate food to homeless people. The homeless crisis in South Africa is worrying; keeping homeless people fed gives them a chance to escape their situation.
• Give old bedding, clothes and toys to an orphanage. Many orphanages are underfunded and are in dire need of resources. Donating resources could meaningfully contribute to the well-being of the people staying there.
• Plant a community garden with your neighbours, or donate trees to a needy area. Having access to good food and clean air significantly improves the lives of people living in your community.

Other kinds of support:

• Spread awareness of the campaign by boosting posts online through engagement. Use the hashtags, share people’s work, and be a cheerleader, even if you can’t contribute yourself.
• Come to the Mandela Day Walk and Run on 20 July at Wanderers Stadium with your family. Being a part of a community activity is an excellent way of honouring the values that Tata Madiba stood for - ubuntu, community, and giving back.
• Help fund social justice organisations. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in South Africa are severely underfunded and the work they do for people in South Africa is life-changing. Consider donating funds to your favourite NGO.