Mandela Day: The Gandhi Connection

Here in South Africa #Mandela Day matters. Today as they mark his fifth anniversary, one must reflect on its value in terms of the man whose name is now synonymous with service and involvement in this part of the world. The legacy reminds people in South Africa to have a sense of duty towards others, as reported in the editorial under 'Long live service' in today's #TheStar newspaper.

That means that today there are people all around the country planting gardens because food security has been identified as #Mandela Day theme, particularly by #LeadSA. There are few acts that could be more vital in terms of legacy-building than creating sustainable tables for families, and a long term income.

According to their news, some will march for #peace in #Palestine, while others will fix schools and hospitals. Some will visit a home and spend time with the #aged , #homeless or #orphaned children. Other will offer free services by painting , cleaning and planting seedlings, at different homes. Some will sponsor a child by buying them school uniforms and books, others will spend quality time with family who they may have not seen in a while. Some will fix the local community hall, park or church, while others will help out #animal organizations. And this they will be doing for 67 minutes today.

These and more special things are being done today for keeping Mandela's name alive in meaningful way. He left one simple instruction: It's in your hands.

A hundred years ago, this day the young #Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi left the shores of Africa for India. #Gandhi's legacy to South Africa, was a method of fighting injustice. He sowed the seed of dignity and self-confidence that even the apparently weaker sections could fight the mighty governments.

I am here today to pay my humble tribute to the one who gave human kind a new philosophy of life in the form of Satyagraha. This was a new path for human race that was groping in darkness. After a generation, that seed he sowed emerged from the ground in the form of passive resistance against the #apartheid regime. When #Madiba walked to freedom after a decade of imprisonment, he pleaded for truth and reconciliation against the perpetrators of violence. Long may the legacy of two great men continue!