On Nelson Mandela Day, find out more about the iconic leader through movies and activity
Pic/Getty Images
July 18 marks Nelson Mandela’s 107th birthday, a prominent day in African history. After 67 bittersweet years of striving for freedom and a 27-year imprisonment, Mandela’s persistence and adherence to principles have set a steady benchmark of good governance, selfless acts of service, and nationalism.
Mandela’s legacy, though rooted in African culture, is heavily influenced by Indian thinkers such as Gandhi, whose principles of non-violence impacted Mandela’s approach to attaining freedom. To truly honour his legacy, here’s what you can watch and do to carry forward the spirit of Nelson Mandela.
Mandela’s Hope
Pic/Rotaract Club Navi Mumbai
A community service project by the Rotaract Club of Navi Mumbai, this annual event is held on Mandela Day in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy of compassion, equality, and service. Each year, Club members visit the Desire Society orphanage in Vashi, where they spend the day engaging with the children through fun, interactive activities, including games, music, art, and performances. The initiative not only spreads joy among the children but also serves as a reminder to the volunteers of the power of empathy, connection, and community-driven impact.
Political statement in Tamil
Pic/Netflix
Released in 2021, this Tamil movie satirically highlights the deep-rooted caste-based hierarchy and votebank politics of Tamil Nadu, exposing electoral misconduct. With Yogi Babu in the lead as the ‘Indian’ Mandela, the film blends humour and satire to reflect Mandelaean principles — championing dignity, equality, and hope. Beneath the laughter lies a deeper message: a call to rise above despair and corruption with integrity and courage.
A Hollywood classic
Pic/Rotten Tomatoes
Invictus (2009) set in the 1990s, explores a time in Nelson Mandela’s first term, a powerful true story of how he partnered with South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar to unite a divided nation through the spirit of sport, navigating political tensions, social divides, and the delicate task of national healing. Fuelled by his love for the game, Mandela throws his support behind the Springboks, South Africa’s national rugby team.
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