- South African bodies and institutions have loudly welcome the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s decision to declare 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day.
The resolution was unanimously adopted on Tuesday, with the support of all UN Member States and co-sponsorship of over 165 members, from all regions of the world.
Mandela Day will be an annual international day of humanitarian action in celebration of Madiba's life and legacy. It serves as a catalyst for each and every person around the world to realise that they have the ability to change it through action.
"It is not about creating institutions with huge infrastructure, but a global movement for good which recognises that positive change begins with small actions. These actions can range from a vision for creating peace and reconciliation; to sharing food with a neighbour in need," explained the foundation in its statement.
Started in South Africa this year, Mandela Day is particularly geared towards people doing work in their communities and not event driven. On the day, people were asked to symbolically give at least 67 minutes of their time in service to their communities in whichever way they choose.
Nelson Mandela is one of the most recognisable political and humanitarian icons in modern day history. He was elected the first black president of the democratic South Africa after spending 67 years of his life actively devoted to promoting and bringing about social change.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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