South Africans urged to build caring communities on Mandela Day

CAPE TOWN, July 18– South Africa’s Parliament on Saturday called on all South Africans to build caring communities and make service to others part of everyday life as the country marked Nelson Mandela International Day.

Nelson Mandela International Day, observed annually on July 18, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009, while Mandela Month is observed throughout July 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.