Buy a Bangle, Change a Life.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

For close to three years we’ve dedicated many hours to the 46664 Bangle project – and we’ve done our best to keep promoting the good work of this inspiring initiative in support of the 46664 campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

It requires consistent focus for a Blog to be interesting and useful, and we’re no longer able to maintain a regular blog feed for the 46664 Bangle on this particular web site.

This blog is rich with content on Madiba, 46664, the 46664 Bangle, news from the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and many humanitarian and HIV AIDS-related stories and updates. Feel free to browse our archives and enjoy the wealth of information!

We’re active on Facebook and Twitter – please do join our conversations there and talk to others about this great initiative; encouraging others to buy a 46664 Bangle.

Also … remember Nelson Mandela Day – not only on July 18, which is Nelson Mandela’s birthday – but consider what you can do every day, in honor of Madiba's service to humanity and his legacy of social justice.

Thank you for your continued support!

New 46664 Clothing to Raise Funds and Promote Mandela's Humanitarian Legacy

The Nelson Mandela Fundation plans to launch a clothing range in August to raise funds and promote Mandela's humanitarian legacy. Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO and 46664 board member, Achmat Dangor, said it could no longer depend on philanthropy to fund awareness-raising and projects like Nelson Mandela Day.

"46664 needs reliable and sustainable income streams, something we believe the 46664 apparel can significantly contribute to," he said.

"There's resistance to commercialisation of Mandela," he continued, however, "We will not use Madiba's image or name in any of our merchandise... we will use his legacy, what he stands for...we do not need to use his face," Dangor said. The only logos or slogans featured would be the number '46664' and the image of an outstretched hand - reminding pepole of the 46664 saying,"It's In Our Hands".

Like the 46664 Bangle project (the bracelet engraved with Nelson Mandela's hand and his prisoner number), when you buy 46664 clothing you are investing in a process that will help spread the legacy of Nelson Mandela by supporting the long-term sustainability of 46664. As Achmat Dangor says, “You will also be empowering young people in communities out there and creating a platform for global change.”

Source: The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the 46664 Campaign.

11 February ~ Nelson Mandela's Release from Prison and Egypt's Freedom

11th February turned out to be a grand day for democracy, indeed. Not only was it the 21-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, but today was also a day for celebration in Egypt as the 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak came to an end.


An Egyption army officer read out a statement acknowledging, "There is no legitimacy other than that of the people".


As crowds cheered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, chanting, "Egypt is free!" , thousands in South Africa also remembered their first taste of freedom in 1990, when Nelson Mandela walked out of Victor Verster prison, a free man.


Read the speech Nelson Mandela delivered on that day, and find out more about how he started his first day of freedom on 12th February, 1990.


We celebrate with Egypt and wish them a peaceful and happy transition to free and fair, democratic elections.

Happy New Year!

The year draws to a close, and as people come together to celebrate with family, friends and fireworks; contemplating New Year resolutions, and getting ready for 2011, some are also sharing their wishes and hopes on websites like the 1 Million Resolution Challenge.

We look back on a year that marked the 20-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela being released from prison, and it was also the year we saw the long-awaited release of fellow Nobel Peace Laureate and fighter for democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi.


Both Madiba and Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in the top 10 most admired men and women, according to a recent US poll, along with Bill Gates, the Dalai Lama, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Queen Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher.

Thank you to those who supported the 46664 Bangle project, and for your belief in our efforts to make a difference, inspired by Nelson Mandela. We wish you a year filled with joy, peace, and good health - Happy New Year!

Community Conversations Bring Awareness to HIV AIDS Epidemic in South Africa

Community discussions identify

the drivers of the spread of AIDS

World AIDS Day may be over, but the focus on how to deal with the epidemic continues in South Africa.

This year, the South African theme for World AIDS Day was “I am responsible. We are responsible. South Africa is taking responsibility,” and the Nelson Mandela Foundation commemorated the day by hosting community conversations across the country. Men, women and youth engaged in conversation on how South Africans can take responsibility for responding to the epidemic and its impact.

Groups discussed misconceptions surrounding HIV AIDS, particularly the belief that raping a virgin “cures” HIV. Some of the main drivers of the epidemic identified were substance abuse, prostitution and incest, which contribute significantly to the spread of the virus. It was also felt that a sense of community and ubuntu (“caring for one another”) had been lost, leading to increased stigmatization of those who were HIV positive.

Emphasis was placed on encouraging strong family and community value systems, establishing support groups and offering an integrated approach to HIV counseling and testing that would include family testing.

Read more here about how these discussion help to increase awareness and bring about change in communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

Source: The Nelson Mandela Foundation

Sometimes it's just too easy to get caught up in what's wrong with the world. Yes, every part of our planet needs help in some way - poverty, disease, lack of education, human rights, political freedom, protecting the environment - they're all major global issues which deserve our serious attention.

Today on Thanksgiving in the US, we're focusing on the positive. In no particular order (sounds like DWTS!), we're grateful for:

1. Access to clean drinking water with no worry about cholera @PlanetWaterLive


2. The choice to use condoms and prevent HIV @talkHIV


3. The ability to get tested, learn our status & prevent HIV @HIVictorious


4. Our political freedom and democracy @hrw


5. Those who make a difference and won't accept the status quo @changemakers


6. Organizations like @dosomething who plant seeds of social responsibility amongst youth


7. Supporters who wear the 46664 Bangle and help create jobs for those in need


8. Individual voices like @bonostreetteam who volunteer their time to raise awareness of social issues


9. Sound logic, like "World Change Starts with Educated Children" @RoomtoRead


10. The #MDGs as a reminder of how lucky we are @WeCanEndPoverty
    

Make your own Thanksgiving list! It'll put a smile on your face and pack a little punch to that turkey stuffing. Happy Thanksgiving from the 46664 Bangle team in the US.

Do You Know Your MDGs?

There are eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) defined by the United Nations, from reducing extreme poverty to improving education and halting the spread of HIV/AIDS ... all by the target date of 2015. The MDGs are driving unprecedented worldwide efforts to meet the needs of the world's poorest.

Nelson Mandela's wife, Graça Machel, is a humanitarian and social activist, and is vocal about Africa taking responsibilitly for addressing the MDGs on its own continent. "Everybody seems to have a plan for our continent. We need a plan for Africa, by Africans. I challenge the youth of today to build a world of equity, prosperity and well-being," she says.

Learn more about the 8 MDGs and how they address gender equality, education, environmental sustainability and other glocal social issues.

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

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

Nelson Mandela Foundation Opposes Xenophobia

Read this interesting article from the Nelson Mandela Foundation about xenophobia, a hot topic at the recent “Dialogue for Social Change” seminar in South Africa.

The message from the Nelson Mandela Foundation is it's important that communities engage with one another about the issues they face. The Nelson Mandela Foundation hosted experts and community members to speak about the outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa.

The foundation's chief executive, Achmat Dangor, said: "We brought into one room people with a lot of expertise to take this message to communities".

Paul Graham from the Institute for Democracy in South Africa, spoke about knowledge being key to building trust and understanding. He touched on how, when research is conducted into some of the complex issues with which South Africa grapples, there is little feedback given to the community, meaning that there is little they can do to change. Sharing knowledge leads to a better society, he argued.

He said: “In truly democratic communities, we learn that, when we share knowledge and individuals prosper, our experience as a society expands for the better.”