I was recently asked what the meaning and purpose of Mandela Day was by a close friend.
Initially I found the question slightly peculiar given the ubiquitous nature of Mandela’s legacy and the fact that Mandela Day traditions have been ongoing for the past 12 years. But it suddenly dawned on me that this understanding was a knee-jerk reaction underwritten by my understanding of the world pre-lockdown. I failed to appreciate that what my friend was really asking is what Mandela Day means under the current global context. Immediately the answer to the question became less obvious.
In the past it has been understood that citizens around the world could illustrate their support for Mandela Day by pledging 67 minutes of their time toward a humanitarian undertaking of their choice. This small show of support by participants around the world has traditionally been a marker of how an individual can illustrate social change in their immediate and wider environment.
While contemplating what this meant in 2021 terms I found the concept of Mandela Day more relevant to me and my immediate, broader and global environment. Living during a time where my personal actions, benign, malignant or in between have a direct impact on my neighbor, my community and the broader human species. Never before in the history of the world has the need for conscientiousness been so prevalent.
So what does Mandela Day mean to me in 2021?
Taking into account the current pandemic, the resultant lockdown measures and effect they are having on the mass psyche, the economic struggles being suffered by my fellow South Africans, the political uncertainty due to a plethora of issues that underpin our political environment, the constant consoling and condolences that we have all been in the unfortunate position of having to provide… I think Mandela Day is a marker to reflect on how I can at the bare minimum curb any behavior that could contribute to further suffering to others under these trying times.
~ Anonymous: 35 years old, Johannesburg
