Nelson Mandela International Day or Mandela Day, as it is affectionately called is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each 18 July on Mandela’s birthday. The day marks a call for action aimed at encouraging and executing the idea of each individual having the power to make a difference and change the world. On the 17th of July 2013, the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism campaign in partnership with Local Municipality, COGTA and North West Development Corporation took part in a cleaning campaign around various dumping sites in Mahikeng in celebrating the 67 minutes for Mandela day.

The campaign started at 8h00 in the morning at the local municipality with various task teams dispersing to different dumping sites in Unit 13, 14 as well as the Mahikeng CBD. North West Development Corporation assisted in executing the initiative by arranging catering for the participants who took part in the noble initiative. The project was an amazing success as the identified dumping sites were tackled thoroughly and whole heartedly in a unified aim to keep Mahikeng clean. As part of NWDC’s social pledge on the special Mandela day, a task team of NWDC employees took to the streets of Mahikeng CBD to give out food to the needy and homeless. There is no greater way of celebrating Former President Nelson Mandela’s vision of making a difference than lending a hand to fight poverty and promote peace and reconciliation.