Here in South Africa, every July 18th, we, as citizens, celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday by taking 67 minutes of our time and dedicating it to serving others in need. These 67 minutes are in appreciation of the 67 years that Nelson Mandela spent fighting for justice, equality, and human rights for all.
For me, Nelson Mandela was a man of flesh and blood. Not just a famous character from history. When my mother took us to St Georges Cathedral in the Centre of Cape Town (just after the 1994 elections, when South Africa became free from the rule of the apartheid government) at just 9 years old, to meet the Queen of England who was attending Sunday Mass with our new president.
I remember her walking out of the cathedral, shrouded by bodyguards and royal guards. I remember standing there in my floral dress, grasping my hand-picked bunch of flowers and holding my breath - hoping to get a glance of this magnificent royal woman, and perhaps the opportunity to hand her my small gift. But alas, she glanced at the crowd, gave a brief wave, and disappeared into the back of a limousine. I started to cry a little..... and fumbled with my flowers. My mother gently caressed my shoulder and we prepared to navigate our way out of the crowd.
Suddenly there was an astounding commotion as Nelson Mandela crossed Whale street with his bodyguards nervously chasing him and he walked straight into the crowd. No protection, no bulletproof vest. Nothing. He caught my eye and walked straight up to me. Lifted me off the ground and kissed me lovingly on my cheek. I still remember the slight roughness of his cheeks and the warmth of his smile and embrace. I handed him my flowers and he looked at me like I had given him the world, ironic considering that he gave each and every one of us the right to our own lives and liberty.
This moment made me feel like my life would never be the same. I carry this precious memory with me wherever I go. I have yet to decide what to do with my 67 minutes this year. Perhaps we'll visit an animal shelter. Perhaps we'll volunteer for a local charity or NGO.
The year before last, the kids and I supported Mandela Day with local charity Ladles of Love and we broke a world record for the most amount of sandwiches made in 67 minutes. It was such a special experience for me, my mom, @ZakLudick, @AimeLudick, @MerenLudick and @Matthew-Williams.
In 2017, while putting in my 67 minutes, I received yet another gift in return. I had the unique and especially honorable opportunity to busk for Madiba day, to raise funds to help feed and clothe the homeless. Our local radio station, Smile 90.4fm held an incredible initiative where they got 67 musicians across Cape Town to busk simultaneously for 67 minutes to raise funds for specific charities. We were hand-picked and each one of us got an opportunity to be interviewed live on air and even had videos taken of us! You can see mine at the top if this post.
2017 was quite possibly the worst year of my life and the closest I came to taking my own life. Having lost my will to live and having not sung for decades, when I heard the advert on the radio ( I am still not sure where I found the bravery, but) I knew this was my moment. My last chance at hope and it was the catalyst that set me free and changed the whole course of my adult life. I filed for divorce a month later and each day got brighter and brighter as I found my way out of the darkness. The road was not always easy, but I will never forget walking into the studio and being asked to sing live on air. I knew the lyrics so well but still had them written down. I chose the song "Smile" because of the profound hope of the beautiful lyrics Charlie Chaplin wrote, but it was also as a salute to the radio station, Smile 90.4fm, which hosted me. I remember the paralyzing fear and my colleague watching me shake so much that the piece of paper in my hand was waving like a frantic surrender flag. I did it though. I sang. Live on air, to hundreds of thousands of people. If I could do that, then I could surely find the bravery for my own long walk to freedom and each court appearance until it was over and I was finally free.
Later, in 2020, with the start of Covid and when all of our lives were put on hold and priorities were reset, I came across this video. I remembered what it felt like to open my heart, my voice, and my soul and I remembered what it felt like to do so while doing something absolutely incredible for other people.
I would like to challenge you, no matter where you are in the world, to take 67 minutes this Mandela day, and make a small difference in your community. Small ripples make waves. Each one of us, if we move together, can change the world through kindness, love, compassion, and hope.
Happy Madiba Day <3
▶️ 3Speak