Cape Town librarians roll up sleeves for Mandela Day

As the globe gears up for the annual Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July 2023, the City of Cape Town’s librarians will celebrate the day by taking part in storytelling sessions, to spread joy to their communities.

South Africans and the global community honour South Africa’s late former President and international icon, Nelson Mandela, every year on 18 July.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed Mandela’s birthday, 18 July, as Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009, to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better and in so doing, build a global movement for good.

The Nelson Mandela International Day campaign asks that individuals, including groups and corporates pledge 67 minutes of their time on day, and every day thereafter, to give back to their communities.

The 67 minutes is symbolic of commemorating the 67 years that Mandela had been a part of the movement for liberation.

Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross, said the city’s librarians are leading the charge this Mandela Day by following the example set by Madiba of compassion, acceptance and care.

“Although everyone is asked to give 67 minutes to serve, our librarians live this spirit of nation building every day. I encourage our patrons to get involved and do their part in not only giving to others, but also supporting our librarians,” van de Ross said.

The activities to take place to commemorate Mandela Day:

17 July 2023
•    Scottsdene Library will host a teen knitting session; and
•    Lotus River Library will host a storytelling session with libraries mascot LiBee at noon along with arts and crafts.

18 July 2023
•    Kensington Library will host a soup kitchen and talk at the Kensington Home of the Aged;
•    There will be a talk on drug abuse at the Macassar Library;
•    Fisantekraal Library will host a clean-up of the community parking lot at the multi-purpose centre;
•    Philippi East will host a soup kitchen at the Masakhane Old Age Home as well as storytelling and arts and crafts for the younger ones;
•    Huguenot Square will host storytelling, followed by arts and crafts, with soup and bread to the community;
•    Belhar Library will host a soup kitchen at the Freedom Farm informal settlement;
•    Scottsdene library will plant a vegetable garden;
•    Otter Library is handing out soup and sandwiches;
•    There’s a beach clean-up by Gordon’s Bay Library;
•    Breakfast and coffee in front of the Observatory Library; and
•    Lotus River Library will spend 67 minutes with the seniors of Home Morea and host a soup kitchen at noon.

23 July
•    Bishop Lavis Library will host a soup kitchen in the library hall. – SAnews.gov.za