Friday, July 16, 2010

Mandela Day, An International Day



In a few days, Highlanders Football Club of Zimbabwe will be travelling to South Africa to engage Jomo Cosmos Football Club of South Africa, do you have your ticket yet? The match is a KICK-OUT Xenophobia Campaign organised by Southern Africa Women of Immigration Affairs, SAWIMA. There are reports of criminal activities that people try to paint with a xenophobic brush, but the real threat is there and people are encouraged to support the event in numbers.

It is a day Caster Semenya returns to winning ways in Finland after she was unable to compete for almost a year due to gender issues, and Thierry Henry is reported to be retiring from international football, which was already overdue and Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane is given the 'rawest' of deals ever; a result tied contract. That cannot be a clause in a coaching contract. No one can guarantee results, especially for a developing team like Bafana Bafana.

"Never, never and never again, shall it be, that this beautiful land shall see oppression of one human by another." These are the famous words of iconic "birthday boy" former South African President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. While Mandela has lived an incredible and symbolic 92 years, 27 of them sacrificial in prison for the freedom of people, he is asking of me and you, just an hour and 7 minutes for our fellow citizens. Do good and say "NO!" to XENOPHOBIA.

Mandela Day is not a South African thing. It is international. It is not always possible for all to have the time on the 18th of July, but then, donate cash, school shoes, food, books, blankets and whatever else you can for charity. You can also make everyday a Mandela Day. We can give each other the freedoms we need in our homes and work places. Let us respect each other regardless of where we come from and remember to join masses at Johannesburg Stadium on the 25th of July 2010.

What will you be able to do or what have you done for your Mandela Day?

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