NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY
“Do What You Can, With What You Have, Wherever You Are”
Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated annually around the globe on 18 July in honour of the late Nelson Mandela. It is the widely revered humanitarian and anti-apartheid icon’s birthday. The day was officially launched in 2009 by the United Nations.
This year’s global theme is “Do What You Can, With What You Have, Wherever You Are”. The context is, amongst others, derived from the destructive impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on humanity and especially the less fortunate and vulnerable people in society. They face a myriad of challenges such as hunger, unemployment, and systematic gender-based abuse on a daily basis.
As such, youth, women and the elderly need our compassion, love and protection.
As a caring corporate citizen, ATNS issued an impassionate call to action to its employees. We asked our employees to come up with feasible Corporate Social Investment-linked project proposals that resonate with the Nelson Mandela International Day theme and could be implemented within the month of July, which is designated as Mandela month in South Africa. After a thorough evaluation and vetting process, the Asambeni and Inkazimulo Yobuntu Foundations came out tops. In this special edition, we share exceptional, unfiltered stories of hope, kindness and love.
We would like to thank the ATNS staff and volunteers, of whom many come from disadvantaged communities, who came together in numbers and selflessly made a difference in the lives of their fellow South Africans.
Siyabonga. Thank you.
The Editor
