Manenberg police celebrated Mandela Day on Thursday 17 July with learners from Phoenix Secondary High and Chrysalis, who are interns at the police station, by showing them kindness.
They weren’t able to celebrate Mandela Day on Friday 18 July, as the police officers were busy with crime prevention in the Manenberg Precinct.
The theme for the 67 Minutes for Mandela is “It is still in our hands”.
“This powerful theme reminds us that every random act of kindness, no matter how small, holds the potential to change lives. We are trying to uplift the youth in Manenberg by not only offering programmes but also help them make a mind shift between right and wrong and showing kindness. When they commit crimes they always think nobody sees them, but God is not only watching over them, but sees what they are doing,” says Capt Ian Bennett, spokesperson of Manenberg Police Station.
“With the theme in mind our initiative for Mandela Day was planting a seed of kindness, inspired by Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy of compassion and service. We are reminded that true change starts with how we choose to act, speak, and serve our people, especially the youth.
He said as police officers they recognise their responsibilty to lead by example.
“With the 67 Minutes for Madiba, we pause to show care, to share, and to love in a moment in time, not through speeches, but through action. “It is a minute for every year Nelson Mandela spent in service of South Africa, totaling 67 years,” he says.
He said this year the Manenberg Police Station decided “charity begins at home”.
“We dug deep into our own resources, bringing together gifts and ideas to serve the very community that supports us. One of the highlights is our Santa Shoe gift box, a creative idea by a lady and her daughter, who remains anonymous.” The pair created and delivered care packages tailored for both boys and girls.
Each box carries not just useful items, but a message. A message that says you are specially made and have been born with purpose.
“You are an important part of the Manenberg community and are valued and loved,” Bennett says.
Cries went out for donations of sanitary towels for girls at schools, but the Manenberg police officers replaced the sanitary towels with a facecloth.
“In our encounters with girls at schools the girls asked for a facecloth instead of sanitary towels, as the household shares one facecloth. He explains that the Santa Shoe box contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, a facecloth and something sweet.
“Madiba’s legacy is not only one of leadership, but of lifting others up. As police officers it is our responsibility to pass that torch of legacy and hope to the next generation to show our youth what kindness looks like in action. Kindness is Nelson Mandela. Let Mandela Day 2025 be a reminder: it is in our hands to make a difference and bring about change,” says Bennett.
You must be logged in to post a comment.