Nelson Mandela Day A Tremendous Success

We saw people planting trees, handing out food to the homeless, visiting orphanages, meditating for world peace, and countless other activities to make a difference to their communities on Nelson Mandela Day on Sunday, July 18.

It was an extra meaningful day to wear your 46664 Bangle bracelet as a reminder of the leadership of Nelson Mandela and how each of us can make a positive impact through even the smallest actions.



Morgan Freeman starts the Nelson Mandela Day road trip




Celebrities, sports stars and political leaders around the world mucked in and did their bit, adding glamorous muscle to the celebration of Nelson Mandela Day. But it was the collective power of the individual actions that was particularly inspiring, as communities came together to enjoy helping others in less fortunate situations than themselves – which is the very essence of Nelson Mandela Day.

In the words of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, who thanked people worldwide for their participation:

Let the wonderful work that people have done with and within communities now continue, and people and organisations should establish ongoing relationships with the various charities that they assisted.

Wear a 46664 Bangle on your wrist, keep Madiba in your heart, and make every day a Mandela Day.

The Elders Talk About Nelson Mandela Day (See Video)

In the words of Nelson Mandela, “It is time for the next generations to continue our struggle against social injustice and for the rights of humanity. It is in your hands.” (Nelson Mandela, London, 2008).

See video of The Elders visiting Nelson Mandela and supporting Mandela Day

Nelson Mandela’s birthday (July 18th) is officially known as Mandela Day around the world, honoring his work and that of his charitable organizations, to ensure his legacy continues forever.

Every individual has the power to make a difference, no matter how small. Mandela Day is a global call to action for people to recognize their individual ability to make an imprint and change the world around them. The concept is simple: Nelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. Mandela Day calls for people around the world to give 67 minutes of their time to help out in their local communities and charities organizations. People around the world are wearing their 46664 Bangle bracelets with extra pride on this day.

As Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graça Machel, says, “I encourage every one of us to own the values he represents, to implement in your own small or big way, but it will be a huge contribution to make our world loving, caring and supportive to each one of us.”

Can you give 67 minutes to help others?

Mandela Day – What’s It All About?

Do you have a spare 67 minutes to make a difference? Then you’re ready to join the world celebration of Nelson Mandela Day on July 18th.

Nelson Mandela Day is an international day recognized by the United Nations in honor of Nelson Mandela’s birthday where he celebrates by asking everyone to help make the world better, healthier and just. As Madiba (Nelson Mandela) turns 92 this Sunday, in honor of his 67 years of service to humanity, you can wish him a happy birthday by donating 67 minutes of your time to doing something good for others.

It’s a global call to action for people to recognize their individual ability to make an imprint and change the world around them. Mandela Day inspires people from every corner of the world to embrace the values that have embodied Nelson Mandela’s life – democracy; equality; reconciliation; diversity; responsibility; respect and freedom.

Last year’s inaugural Mandela Day was launched in Los Angeles, and supported by celebrities such as Forest Whitaker, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Sharon Stone, and Alfre Woodard. A Mandela Day concert in New York city on July 18 followed as Whoopi Goldberg, Aretha Franklin, Josh Groban, Susan Sarandon, Stevie Wonder, Lil’ Kim, Cyndi Lauper, Will.i.am, Freshlyground and many others contributed their time and talent to the fundraiser event. Many of the artists were wearing their 46664 Bangle bracelets, reinforcing the philanthropic messages of the 46664 campaign. Wear your 46664 Bangle with extra pride on Mandela Day!

Visit these sites for inspiration on how you can make a positive impact in your community on this year’s Mandela Day:
Great ideas from Sir Richard Branson, who supports the 46664 Campaign!
Participate in the Mandela Day celebrations
Post your Mandela Day birthday wish on the 46664 Bangle fan page

South Africa’s World Cup Pride and Hope

We may be biased, but could there have been a more vibrant, colorful and happier host country in the history of the FIFA World Cup than South Africa? From the love-it/hate-it vuvuzela to the scenes of national pride around the country, to the jubilation when a beaming Nelson Mandela appeared at the closing ceremony; the 2010 tournament will be remembered by many as a joyful celebration of football.

It was also an immensely successful event for the South African hosts, who more than exceeded the world’s expectations. With world-class football stadiums, efficient transport arrangements and the added blessing of spectacular scenery, South Africa’s World Cup 2010 has been described as a resounding success.

South African national pride reached bursting point on July 11th, when Madiba (Nelson Mandela) arrived to do a lap of honor with his wife, Graça Machel, and the cheering of the crowd drowned out even the vuvuzela drone at Soccer City stadium.

Knowing how much it would benefit the continent of Africa, Mandela had campaigned for years to host the World Cup, despite critics’ concerns that South Africa could handle the world’s biggest sporting event. Nelson Mandela also saw once again how sport could play a defining role in reaching across the racial divide and uniting his country. In a letter to FIFA, Mandela said that the tournament “symbolizes the power of football to bring people together from all over the world, regardless of language, the color of one’s skin, political or religious persuasion.”

It was Nelson Mandela who chose a path of reconciliation in 1995, embracing the mostly-white sport of rugby and urging all South Africans to support their team (One Team, One Nation) in the international World Cup Rugby tournament, as played out in the movie, Invictus.

Fast forward to fifteen years later, and we saw all South Africans proudly wearing the yellow and green of the Bafana Bafana football team, singing the national anthem Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica and cheering as one when Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the first goal of the tournament. As South African President, Jacob Zuma, said, “We are truly excited by the success and the spirit engulfing the country. For the first time ever in the 16 years of freedom and democracy, we see black and white South Africans celebrating together in the stadiums and fan parks.”

And now that the party is over? South Africa boosted its infrastructure with the building of stadiums, improved roads, hospitals, airports and hospitality facilities. The precise financial benefit is yet to be confirmed, but one million tourists brought their spending money to the country and reports of 700 million people worldwide viewing the final match placed South Africa firmly in the international spotlight, promoting additional future tourism.


Whatever the financial outcome, as international accents fade away and fly to their home countries and South Africa returns to normality, the World Cup event has arguably added to the healing and unity which began in 1995. It has also created a positive atmosphere that is conducive to addressing the reality of the country’s challenges.


Danny Jordaan, the tournament’s top organizer, commented on the gift of the World Cup to South Africa:

“The contribution to this society is the new sense of pride, walking tall and being united. This World Cup created a platform for South Africans to sit together and discover their own sense of pride and their concerns and their hope for the future.”

We at the 46664 Bangle project wish South Africa every success in
realizing those dreams.

46664 Campaign Empowers Communities in Mozambique

The Foundation for Community Development (FDC) is a civic organization started by Graça Machel, the former Mozambican First Lady and the wife of Nelson Mandela. The FDC, with help from 46664 and other funders, is empowering communities to uplift themselves and their children through a skills development program called Tecendo a Vida (“Weaving Life”). The FDC is trying to move away from the traditional aid models that provide developing countries with resources but seldom encourage sustainability.

FDC runs sustainable social programs in Mozambique and aims to empower people by strengthening community structures and decision making processes and giving communities ownership of their future. The FDC provides very little direct funding to communities, but does provide constant support from the project implementation agency, Mbatilamukene.

Field workers help solve a variety of development problems, from creating hygienic sewerage systems to encouraging people to diversify their diets by growing their own fruit and vegetables. People learn to rely on themselves providing a platform for sustainable solutions. With this philosophy in mind, the FDC is helping to tackle the issue of HIV/AIDS by encouraging communities to tackle the underlying social problems which will help to reduce HIV infection rates.

The 46664 Bangle project contributes funds to support the 46664 Campaigns of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

46664 Ambassador, Annie Lennox, Gives Voice to Women With HIV

Annie Lennox is an HIV AIDS activist and a 46664 ambassador

From the United Nations News Center: As lead singer of the band Eurythmics and a solo artist, Annie Lennox is known around the world for a successful music career that spans over three decades. In her new role as a celebrity advocate for the United Nations, she is giving voice to millions of women and girls suffering with HIV and AIDS, an issue close to the heart of this mother of two daughters.

“As a woman and a mother, I have a direct experience with what parenthood is about and I appreciate how precious every child is to their parent,” Ms. Lennox said in an interview with the UN News Centre.

“That is something that is sacred and if we as mothers are not given the tools to survive and cope, educate and nourish, and protect our own children, there’s something really wrong.”

About 16 million women over the age of 15 are living with HIV worldwide and in sub-Saharan Africa, women make up almost two-thirds of people living with HIV, according to the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). In many parts of the world, women have a higher risk of HIV than men.

Ms. Lennox, who was appointed as an International Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS in June, is no stranger to social activism, having worked with organizations such as Oxfam, Amnesty International and Greenpeace.

The 46664 campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation is a project close to Annie Lennox’s heart and she noted that if South Africa can make headway in addressing HIV and AIDS, it could serve as “a beacon of hope” for the entire continent. The 46664 Bangle project echoes these hopes.

Ghanaian striker, Kevin Prince Boateng greets

former president, Nelson Mandela, in Houghton

After an agonizing defeat at the hands of Uruguay on Friday, the Ghana football team made a dramatic exit from the World Cup, as the first and only African team to have made it to the quarter-finals. And yet, the feisty team scored a win of a different kind, as they were treated to a private visit with Nelson Mandela at his home today in Johannesburg.

"It's a dream come true," said midfielder Derek Boateng after the team met Mandela. "He is a legend, you know, and everybody is talking about him," Boateng said. "It is the first time we have met him."

They may not have qualified for the World Cup semi-finals, but the Ghanaians can return home with their heads held high, and with a personal memory of meeting one of the world’s most inspiring men, Nelson Mandela. See more photos here, courtesy of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.