Nelson Mandela International Day 2021

Nelson Mandela International Day 2021 is observed on 18 July worldwide to remind the contributions of Mandela to the culture of peace, human right, reconciliation and freedom.

“As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”  Nelson Mandela, Make Poverty History, London, 2005 . According to Ipsos, “Almost half (46%) of adult South Africans surveyed in late 2020 said that their households often had to go to bed hungry during the Covid-19 pandemic as we did not have enough money for food”.  

This year the focus will be on two critical intersecting challenges that are being faced by South Africa and several other countries for food security and cultures of lawlessness. No doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the issues of poverty and inequality.

Nelson Mandela was born on 18 July, 1918 in South Africa. He was a great politician, revolutionary, and philanthropist. On 18 July, Nelson Mandela's birthday falls so, this day is celebrated as Nelson Mandela International Day. It is also known as Mandela Day.

The day is observed to “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.” Everywhere people should take responsibility for making the world a better place. For almost 67 years, he fought against social justice. Do you know that since 2009, on 18 July it has been an official United Nations holiday? Introducing the Nelson Mandela International Day theme for 2021: One Hand Can Feed Another.