Honoring the Legacy: A Guide to Mandela Day

[Michelle Fifis]

Celebrated annually on July 18, Mandela Day honors the life, legacy, and values of Nelson Mandela. Individuals and teams are encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes of service to creating a better world, in honor of Nelson Mandela's 67 years of public service.

Whether you're a startup, a growing company, or a global enterprise, this guide provides practical ideas and inspiration to help you develop meaningful Mandela Day initiatives. The aim? To drive real impact in your communities and embed service into your culture, not just for a day, but year-round.

In this guide:

• What is Mandela Day?
  
• Why Mandela Day matters for companies
  
• Downloadable Mandela Day graphics

What is Mandela Day?

Mandela Day commemorates the birthday of Nelson Mandela, a global icon of peace, justice, and reconciliation. The day was launched by the United Nations in 2009 as a call to action: 67 minutes of service to mark the 67 years Mandela dedicated to public service.

The idea is simple but powerful. Everyone has the ability and responsibility to make a difference. From volunteering and mentorship to environmental efforts and social justice initiatives, Mandela Day provides an opportunity to move from intention to action and fulfill your pledge.

 

Why Mandela Day Matters for Your Organization

Committing to social impact isn’t just about corporate responsibility; it’s about leadership. Mandela Day provides an opportunity to unify teams around shared values, foster deeper community connections, and reflect on how your business can be a force for good.

Companies that engage meaningfully with Mandela Day not only contribute to a more just and inclusive society, but they also foster stronger employee morale and build brand values. 

 

 

Program Ideas

There are countless ways your organization can participate. Begin with what aligns with your values, resources, and the needs of your community.

1. Service & Volunteering

• Organize a team volunteer day with local nonprofits or schools.
  
  
• Offer employees 67 minutes of paid volunteer time on July 18.
  
  
• Match employee donations to causes connected to Mandela’s legacy.

2. Education & Reflection

• Host a “Legacy of Mandela” lunch & learn with guest speakers or employee-led discussions.
  
  
• Share a curated list of Mandela quotes, speeches, or documentaries with your team.
  
  
• Launch a social media series highlighting how employees embody Mandela’s values. Share their good deeds via social media, using the hashtags #MandelaDay2025 #ItsInYourHands

3. Long-Term Commitment

• Launch a community partnership program inspired by Mandela Day.
  
  
• Reassess your company’s DEI commitments and share updates with your team.
  
  
• Create a recurring “67 Hours of Impact” campaign spread across the year.

Explore additional ideas from the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

 

Need Inspiration? Try These AI Prompts

• “What’s one issue Mandela cared about that intersects with our mission?”
  
  
• “How can we transform Mandela Day into a year-round effort?”
  
  
• “Which community partners or nonprofits could use our time, skills, or resources most meaningfully?”
  
  

 

Share Your Impact

How is your organization showing up for Mandela Day 2025? Whether you're hosting a service project, launching an impact campaign, or honoring Mandela’s values in your own way, we want to hear about it. Drop a comment, share your story, and inspire others in the Pledge 1% community to take action.

 

Mandela Day Graphics for Your Organization

Show your solidarity and spark engagement by using custom Mandela Day visuals. Download shareable graphics for social media, internal newsletters, or event promotions.