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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
A number of ambassadors and representatives of various embassies gathered on Wednesday to participate in a 67-minute community service in remembrance of the late South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader and philanthropist Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Madiba) who was born on July 18, 1918.
To commemorate the occasion, South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa led the team to donate blood at Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Blood Donor Center.
The event was attended by ambassadors of Morocco, Palestine, Eswatini, Tanzania, Algeria, Eritrea, Ghana, Charge d'Affairs of the embassy of Cuba, Minister Counsellor from the embassy of Nigeria, among others.
Mandela's centenary year marks the 100 years of the birth of Mandela.
As a mark of honour, South Africa has declared 2018 as the 'Year of Mandela'.
This year also marks the centenary of South African Nontsikelelo Albertina ('Ma' Sisulu) who was born on October 21, 1918.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, Ambassador Moosa said,"In commemorating the centenary, South African embassies globally have undertaken initiatives aimed at raising awareness and making a solid impact on social and charitable projects which were close to the hearts of both Tata Mandela and Ma Sisulu."
According to the ambassador, this was their first blood donation campaign in Qatar by the South African embassy and they are planning to do it annually.
He said,"We want to expand it not only to the South African community but all the embassies in Qatar to encourage their expatriates to do the same. Next year will be a full day celebration where people can go and donate blood. It will become a yearly event in July."
The envoy said the initiative was 67 minutes because Mandela was released from prison at the age of 67 in February 1990.
"The United Nations declared the 67 minutes of community service. This year, the UN General Assembly will mark the 100th anniversary by holding a high-level meeting on the 'Nelson Mandela Peace Summit' focusing on world peace ahead of the annual gathering of world leaders in September 2018," the ambassador added.
He said in South Africa on Wednesday, people were painted schools, built houses for poor people, cleaned beaches, among other activities, to mark the occasion.
He added,"This project will make great impact if we can take it across the world. It is in this spirit and in honouring the legacy of Madiba that we appeal to all peace loving people in Qatar and in our respective countries across the world to make every effort that would convey the values of Madiba by volunteering their time for 67 minutes of community service."
Talking about the initiatives lined up to celebrate the centenary in Qatar, Moosa said,"We are trying to boost Mandela's Children's Fund by going out and asking people to contribute to the Children's Fund. Mandela's Children's Fund is doing quite a lot of work in Africa, not only in South Africa."
In addition, Mandela grandson will be visiting Qatar around South Africa's Heritage Day to come and engage with South Africans here and the general populace.
