South Africa: Community Service for Nelson Mandela’s Birthday

A day before former South African President Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday, thousands of people gathered in Innesfree Park in Sandton just north of Johannesburg. Everyone was there to perform 67 minutes of community service to commemorate the 67 years of service Nelson Mandela devoted to South Africa.

Volunteers waited in lines to board coach buses to be taken to various areas around the Gauteng Province to perform different community service projects for 67 minutes.

A non-profit organization, Cheesekids, led the volunteers to one of 12 locations around the city. Volunteers provided computer education, gave blood, painted homes, played with children, prepared food, cleaned buildings and planted vegetable gardens. A music concert was held at the end of the day to celebrate everyone’s 67 minutes of labor for Mandela’s birthday. He was  born on July 18, 1918,