Nelson Mandela International Day 18 July: It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity

Friday 19 July 2024

Nelson Mandela International Day 18 July: It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity

2024 theme: It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity

Inspiring Speech of Sofonie Dala on Nelson Mandela Day

My name is Sofonie Dala, the founder of this incredible platform. I am a confident, supportive, and proactive leader dedicated to empowering communities through sustainable development and social innovation, striving to create meaningful and lasting positive change for all.

Today, we gather to renew our commitment to the values that Nelson Mandela so passionately embodied. His unwavering determination, deep commitment to justice, human rights, and fundamental freedoms, and his profound belief in the equality and dignity of every individual inspire us all. Mandela's relentless pursuit of dialogue and solidarity across all divisions made him a remarkable statesman, a fierce advocate for equality, and the founding father of peace in South Africa.

In times of turbulence, Nelson Mandela's legacy teaches us the power of resisting oppression, upholding justice over inequality, dignity over humiliation, and forgiveness over hatred. As we advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and strive to overcome new challenges, let us remember Mandela’s essential humanism: “For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

This year, we unite under the theme: "It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity." Let this theme guide our actions and inspire us to take concrete steps towards a more equitable world. #ItsInYourHands

Last year, we honored Mandela's legacy by visiting rural communities on July 23, 2023, to raise awareness about his work and enduring impact. We engaged with these communities to discuss climate change, sustainable food systems, and Mandela’s vision.

Sharing Mandela's legacy with rural communities: Climate, Food and Solidarity

We are training children because they are the future. Our visit included a seminar on Mandela's legacy, climate change, and sustainable food systems. We used this day to unite the world in taking decisive action against global climate change, which leads to food insecurity.

We aspire to see a hundred Mandelas in the coming years. We want to inspire children, women, and young people to lead in the spirit of Nelson Mandela, a man of vision, integrity, perseverance, resilience, discipline, humility, and a deep sense of public service. True leadership is about serving the community, not being the best.

Join us in our mission and relive last year's event by clicking here: Sharing Mandela's Legacy with Rural Communities.