"Mandela Day" in South Africa: the clean-up operations are essential
Audio 01:22
In South Africa, “Mandela Day” is celebrated every July 18th.
© AP / Nardus Engelbrecht
Text by: RFI Follow
5 mins
South Africa commemorates the memory of former President Nelson Mandela.
Known as "Mandela Day", this day aims to pay tribute to him.
Each person can donate 67 minutes of their time for a good cause.
This year, after several days of looting in the country, it is the clean-up operations that have become obvious.
In the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal regions, several communities have come together to clear shops covered with debris and rubbish after being vandalized.
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With our special correspondent in Durban,
Romain Chanson
They decided to spend the day in this vandalized supermarket, despite the greasy soil of rotting food and the smell of trash.
“
We're trying to continue Mandela's fight.
He bequeathed to us the spirit of forgiveness, of kindness.
We want to show people that we are still united,
”said this man.
“
These are the people who offered to help, we didn't ask them.
With their help, everything should be back to normal soon
, ”said one woman.
The volunteers were encouraged by local ANC figures, identifiable with their Nelson Mandela t-shirts and hats.
“
Every year, we spend 67 minutes helping our community by cleaning up or anything that is useful.
People have made time to come here and spend the day offering to help because of what has happened in the last few days,
”says one woman.
“
Here the inhabitants are suffering.
They no longer have places to go shopping.
This is why we have come to help this supermarket to allow it to reopen.
For sure, Mandela wouldn't like to see all this mess,
”said one man.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also dedicated part of his Mandela Day to a cleanup operation.
“
These events have united us like never before,
” he said.
Wave of solidarity in #Durban after days of looting.
Food and other stuff flying from Joburg to Virginia airport, the Muslim community giving bread and milk to whoever ask for, people coming together to clean up a supermarket.
pic.twitter.com/8HsrgO8rUO
- Romain Chanson (@CHANSONRomain) July 18, 2021
Read also: South Africa: 30 years later, the slow quest for justice of the victims of apartheid
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South Africa
Nelson Mandela