RCCDO July 27 Bulletin

Mandela & Rotary
by PS Mike Mendoza
L
ast week, July 19, millions of people
around the world honoured
the memory of Nelson Mandela in an event
that encourages people to continue his philanthropic
work.
In 1995, Rotary International pursued Mandela’s
support to eradicate polio in Africa.
Mandela helped and launched the “Kick
Polio Out” of Africa campaign in 1996-97. In
recognition of his vital work, Rotary presented
the Rotary Award for World Understanding
to Mandela in 1997, then Rotary's
highest honour. Mandela donated the
award's $100,000 prize to the Nelson Mandela
Children's Fund. When he retired from
Yes, July 19 is Nelson Mandela
Day - the day where
communities rally together to
pay tribute to Mandela's life
and legacy. This year would
have been his 99th birthday.
Many of us know that Nelson
Mandela was an activist and
former president who helped
bring an end to apartheid in
South Africa, a system of institutionalised
racial segregation
that lasted from 1948 to
1991.
As a member of the African National Congress
in the 1940s, he led peaceful protests
against the oppressive regime in power that
formed a deep racial divide in South Africa
at the time. Mandela was imprisoned for
his actions for nearly three decades until his
release in 1990, when he went on to become
the first black president of his country,
forming a multi ethnic government to
help bring peace to the country.
politics in 1999, Mandela devoted his life to
championing peace and justice in South
Africa and around the world until his death
in 2013.
This week is all about remembering the
work that Nelson Mandela did throughout
his life, and thinking about how we can continue
his legacy. Before his death, Mandela
asked that the younger generation continue
his work to make the world a better place
for everyone.
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