South Africa marks Mandela Month with call for community service

CAPE TOWN, July 4 — South Africans have been called on to devote their time to helping build a better South Africa as the country commemorates Mandela Month in July and prepares to mark Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18.

Nelson Mandela International Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009, while Mandela Month is observed throughout July in South Africa to honor Mandela’s birthday and encourage people to devote 67 minutes — one minute for every year Mandela dedicated to public service — to community service and acts of kindness.