Nelson Mandela Foundation Receives Mandela Letter Smuggled From Prison

Former High Court and Electoral Court Judge Thumba Pillay formally donated a series of documents to the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s archives.

The documents include a letter written by Mr Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, after it was smuggled out of the prison by Mac Maharaj.

The letter, addressed to Judge Pillay’s legal firm, gave instruction to begin court proceedings against the apartheid government’s Department of Prisons, on the grounds of poor conditions in correctional facilities and the treatment of inmates.

Judge Pillay – who was highly active in the anti-apartheid movement – donated the letter and a series of legal documents to the Nelson Mandela Foundation for safekeeping, and said, “We need [the files] to be kept for posterity. It’s part of history and these are authentic documents of the conditions in prisons at that time.”

Source: The Nelson Mandela Foundation

Make A Difference Day - October 23rd

It' s just over three months since Mandela Day on QJuly 18th - perfect timing to remember the ethos of the worldwide campaign for "ordinary people to do extraordinary things" and contribute in some way to their community.

October 23rd is Make A Difference Day in the US, the nation's largest day of service, and many of the messages echo those of the spirit of Mandela Day and of the 46664 Bangle initiative.

Wearing the official 46664 Bangle is a daily reminder of the power of individuals to help those in need. Make A Difference Day is a call to make that happen in your community on October 23rd. Last year, 3 million people volunteered to help in their communities on Make A Difference Day.

See here for inspiration on how to make a difference in the lives of others; not just on this day, but every day. Find out what's going on in your community, and how you can volunteer. Happy MDDAY from the 46664 Bangle team!

46664 Bangle and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

October 17th is World Poverty Day, and this year's theme is "From poverty to decent work: bridging the gap."

Could there be a more appropriate theme that relates directly to the 46664 Bangle project!

This year, the United Nations is focusing on sustainable models for economic stability through job creation. Through the small contribution of purchasing a 46664 Bangle, people around the world are supporting a project which creates employment for the less fortunate. The 46664 Bangle bracelet becomes a tangible reminder of global social issues; such as poverty, hunger, education and HIV AIDS prevention.

Every 46664 Bangle is handcrafted in South Africa, and even the packaging is made locally, to increase employment. Read these touching letters from people who have received income as a result of the 46664 Bangle project.

As the United Nations initiative reminds us,

"The campaign to make poverty history - a central moral challenge of our age - cannot remain a task for the few, it must become a calling for the many. On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I urge everyone to join this struggle. Together, we can make real and sufficient progress towards the end of poverty." ~ United Nations Ex-Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, 17 October 2006".

46664 Bangle owners - wear your 46664 Bangle with extra pride on this day, knowing you have made a positive difference in the lives of others.

Read more here about the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Nelson Mandela's Private Documents Published - "I'm No Saint"

Nelson Mandela looks at his newly-released book, Conversations With Myself, October 2010

On October 12th, 2010, for the very first time, Nelson Mandela's hidden archives will be published in a new book, Conversations With Myself.

The collection of notes from prison and deeply personal diaries expose the private man behind the icon we fondly call Madiba.

Letters penned in jail by Nelson Mandela reveal his anguish at being separated from his family, and readers will feel the intensity of the pain he was going through in prison. The anti-apartheid icon wrote of his heartache at learning of the death of his 24-year old son in a car crash in 1969. He was not allowed to attend the funeral.

Nelson Mandela pushed for the archives to be opened and published in a new book. Aside from sharing his sorrow and suffering, we also see Nelson Mandela as a human being, as he urges the world not to view him as a saint.

"One issue that deeply worried me in prison was the false image I unwittingly projected to the outside world; of being regarded as a saint," said the Nobel Peace Prize winner, aged 92.
"I never was one, even on the basis of the earthly definition of a saint as a sinner who keeps trying. As a young man, I combined all the weaknesses, errors and indiscretions of a country boy, whose range of vision and experience was influenced mainly by events in the area in which I grew up and the colleges to which I was sent," he wrote.

"I relied on arrogance to hide my weaknesses," he added.

Per this BBC video, "The real man, flawed and human, is actually far more remarkable, far more inspiring than the cliché of some untouchable saint".

Chinese Human Rights Activist and Writer Liu Xiaobo Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Source: Human Rights Watch

Before Chinese Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Liu Xiaobo, was imprisoned, he was quoted as saying, “If you want to be a person with dignity; if you want to be an honest person, fight for human rights and free speech; being imprisoned is part of that undertaking.”

His words about "persisting on this road and walking it to the end" remind us of Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Nelson Mandela, and his long walk to freedom.

The awarding of the 2010 to Liu Xiaobo underscores the urgent need for rights reforms in China. Human Rights Watch reiterated its longstanding call for the release of Liu, whom a Beijing court sentenced to an 11-year prison term on December 25, 2009.

His spurious "subversion" charges stemmed from his role in drafting and circulating Charter '08, an online petition which advocates putting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law at the core of the Chinese political system. Originally signed by 303 Chinese citizens, including rights defenders and legal activists, it has been widely circulated online and has now collected thousands of signatures.

"This award will no doubt infuriate the Chinese government by putting its human rights record squarely back into the international debate," said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. "But this Nobel Prize honors not only Liu's unflinching advocacy; it honors all those in China who struggle daily to make the government more accountable."

Source: Human Rights Watch

Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Dialogue Initiative Raises Community Awareness re HIV AIDS

During August 2010, a host of community conversations were held in 11 areas in South Africa as part the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s dialogue initiative to raise community awareness and reduce the incidence of HIV AIDS.

The rationale behind the conversations is to change the perception and values of communities dealing with HIVAIDS by equipping them to identify and discuss HIV AIDS-related concerns and to make informed decisions. Communities are supported by dedicated facilitation teams.

In recognition of August being Women’s Month in South Africa, the focus of the August conversations was on issues relating to women and girls within the wider scope of HIV/AIDS.

Read more about how socio-economic issues affect communities’ perception of, and attitude to, HIV AIDS prevention.

Source: The Nelson Mandela Foundation