South Africans mark Mandela Centenary on #MandelaDay
Today marks 100 years since the birth of the father of our nation, Nelson Mandela. Millions from South Africa and the rest of the world will be marking the centenary of our former president by making a difference in their communities.
Born on the 18th of July 1918 in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape - Mandela would become South Africa's first democratically elected president and one of the world's greatest statesman.
The global icon was one of the leading figures in the anti-apartheid movement. Madiba was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the government at the Rivonia Trial.
That is where Mandela gave his famous "I am prepared to die speech" where he said he had dedicated his life to the struggle of the African people.
ALSO READ: Change a life through education this Mandela Day
Mandela spent 27 years in jail - most of which were on Robben Island before his release on the 11th of February 1990.
Mandela became South African President after the 1994 general elections and served a single term until 1999.
The 95-year-old passed away in Johannesburg on the 5th of December 2013. The Nelson Mandela Foundation says Madiba's centenary should not only be used to remember him - but to work towards building the country of his dreams.
How will your community, office or school commemorate this special day? Send a WhatsApp voice note to 061-700-0800.