Sri Lanka High Commission in South Africa actively participated in the community service activities led by Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa Dr.Naledi Pandor at Leratong Hospice in Atteridgeville on 18 July 2022.
The High Commissioner Prof. Gamini Gunawardane joined several other diplomats and spent time providing voluntary services assisting the staff of the 18 terminally ill patient hospice. Additionally, he also donated, on behalf of Sri Lanka, a stock of Ceylon Tea and a stock of toiletries for the patients.
Nelson Mandela International Day was established by the UN General Assembly (UN Resolution A/RES/64/13) in 2009 in recognition of the former South African President’s dedication to the service of humanity in conflict resolution, race relations, promotion and protection of human rights, gender equality, rights of children and other vulnerable groups, fight against poverty and promotion of social justice. It is celebrated annually on 18 July, Mandela’s birthday.
As in previous years, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO, the equivalent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka) led the 2022 Nelson Mandela International Day events encouraging people to use at least 67 minutes of their time to support a chosen charity or serve in their local community. The 67 minutes symbolically represents the number of years the former President fought for human rights and the abolition of apartheid.
The theme of the 2022 Nelson Mandela International Day was a quotation by Nelson Mandela: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Pretoria
22 July, 2022
Public Diplomacy Division
media release
