“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 that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela.
Each year on 18 July, people across South Africa mark Nelson Mandela’s birthday by spending 67 minutes helping others. These 67 minutes mirror the 67 years that Mandela spent fighting for social justice.
How Mandela Day started
On his 90th birthday, Mandela said, “It’s in your hands to make the world a better place.”
One year later, in 2009, the first Mandela Day was celebrated – and, by unanimous vote, the United Nations officially recognised 18 July as an international day of humanitarian action.
How we marked Mandela Day
This year, sister companies XtraSpace Self Storage, The Workspace and SpaceBox combined forces, undertaking community clean-up projects in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Johannesburg clean-up
In Johannesburg, teams from all three companies got together to clean up the streets of Wynberg and Alexandra.
Equipped with gloves, garbage bags, brooms and generally high spirits, all our staff pitched in, leaving few stones unturned and getting some good exercise in the process.
The teams succeeded in filling an industrial-size bin.
Durban clean-up
Our Durban staff spent their 67 minutes (and extra) helping clean up the Durban Yacht Club and surrounding beachfront.
This is a major attraction for fishermen and boat enthusiasts, but the litter that accumulates is terrible – so the team spotted an opportunity to make a real difference.
Everyone put in a great effort, and we were proud to leave the area in “ship-shape” condition.
Cape Town clean-up
In Cape Town, staff got together to clean up Mobile Road in the Airport Industria area. Everyone joined in – kids included, rolled up their sleeves, picked up garbage and swept.
Well done to all our team members, and to everyone who made a difference in their communities on Mandela Day.