On the 18th of July South Africa and the rest of world celebrated Mandela Day; it has been 2 years since Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela passed away. His life and legacy was honored by many people in South Africa and around the world. It turned into a global movement to honor his life’s work and act to change the world for the better.
To honor this day, on the 18th of July, Africa Unite hosted a Mandela Day event titled “Inspiring children through 67 minutes of education, fun and games” at the Lagunya sports field in Nyanga.
Some of the children playing cricket.
The event was organized by Africa Unite together with the following stakeholders: Metropolitan, South Africa Rugby Union, TAG Rugby, Pick n Pay Waterfront, Government Communications and Information Systems, City of Cape Town, Lincaw Holdings, Sunflower Fund, TAS Bonga Cycling Academy and the community leaders of Nyanga; where we brought smiles and excitement to the children’s faces through various sports and games to inspire children to play hard and dream big.
The day started off with the ‘67 minutes’ of cleaning at the Walter Teka Primary School in Nyanga by Africa Unite team together with other organising partners. After cleaning the participants and volunteers moved to the Nyanga Lagunya Sports Field where the second part of the Mandela Day event took place.
From left Cecil Afrika, Sandile Ngcobo and Werner Kok reading Mandela’s book
Cecil Afrika, Werner Kok and Sandile Ngcobo from the Senior Sevens Rugby team joined, Lagunya Rugby Club at the Nyanga Rugby Stadium for a morning of fun and sport. The trio were welcomed by more than 500 children from the local community who were overjoyed to see their heroes. They each took turns to read the story of Mandela to all the kids as they came in groups.
A total of 130 Africa Unite Singamakalipha kids from Gugulethu and Nyanga participated and more than 400 other kids from around the Nyanga area were brought to the sports field to enjoy a day of fun and education through sports and games such as cycling, tag rugby, soccer, basketball, choreography, and book reading.
After a long day of fun and games the children then enjoyed a special lunch which was donated by Pick n Pay and a big cake which had Mandela’s pictures on top. 
The community of Nyanga together with various stakeholders who attended the event thanked the organizers and encouraged everyone to make every day a Mandela Day.
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“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived.
It is what difference we have made to the lives of others
that will determine the significance of the life we lead”
– Nelson Mandela
