GOVERNMENT CALLS ON SOUTH AFRICANS TO HONOUR MANDELA MONTH THROUGH SERVICE AND ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

GOVERNMENT CALLS ON SOUTH AFRICANS TO HONOUR MANDELA MONTH THROUGH SERVICE AND ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

KASIBC_AUDIO

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – The South African government has issued a nationwide call to action for citizens, businesses, and civil society to honour the legacy of former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela through active citizenship and volunteerism.

Observed globally on 18 July (and formally established by the United Nations in 2009), Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated under the theme: "It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity." The theme targets South Africa's most pressing socioeconomic challenges—including persistent unemployment, hunger, and unequal opportunities—by driving collective, sustainable community action.

Water Access Takes Centre Stage

As part of Mandela Month, the government is moving beyond temporary volunteerism toward long-term, impactful infrastructure investments. Headlining these initiatives is the launch of the National Water Access Acceleration Programme by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

The program focuses on expanding clean water access to unserved and underserved rural communities through fit-for-purpose solutions. Key milestones include:

Initiative / ProjectDetails & Target CommunitiesPurpose67 Borehole InterventionsRolled out nationwideSymbolises the 67 years Madiba dedicated to human rights and public service.Babanango Community Water SchemeKwaZulu-Natal (Rural rollout)Immediate expansion of safe, reliable local water infrastructure.Mncwasa Water Supply SchemeEastern Cape (Rural rollout)Targeting historically underserved rural households.Klipdrift Package Water Treatment PlantHammanskraal, GautengCommissioning a 50 megalitre-per-day plant to address clean drinking water shortages.

A Call for Year-Round Active Citizenship

In alignment with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s weekly message, the government stressed that overcoming deep-seated inequality cannot rest on the state's shoulders alone. Citizens are encouraged to dedicate at least 67 minutes of service on Mandela Day to support the vulnerable—whether through food security initiatives, community care, or local environmental clean-ups.

"Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings." — Nelson Mandela

By uniting behind the spirit of ubuntu, the government hopes these collaborative efforts between state programs and active citizens will lay the foundation for a more equitable South Africa.

WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM 

NEWS ~ AUDIO ~ VIDEO ~ SPORTS ~ EVENTS ~ TOURS ~ STORES