Supporting Mandela Day

Scots have played a part in sending half a million books to school children in South Africa since the end of the apartheid.

It's Nelson Mandela International Day. STUC members will spend the day packing containers full of more books for young children in the Eastern Cape province.

Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said; “Trade unions are proud to be supporting ACTSA’s book appeal and are pleased to be able to send another container load of books to South Africa. The legacy of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa continues to blight the lives of South African children and by collecting books for school libraries, Scotland can continue to support the creation of a better future for this country and its people.
 
“There is no doubt that Nelson Mandela was an inspirational figure during his lifetime and it is right that we should honour his life and his work on International Nelson Mandela Day by promoting voluntary and community service and by supporting the education of children in South Africa.”
 
Brian Filling, Honorary Consul for South Africa and Chair, Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) Scotland said: “Nelson Mandela International Day, now a fixture in the calendar, is especially significant in this the 60th anniversary year of the signing of the African National Congress’ Freedom Charter in 1955.
 
"We welcome the support of the STUC and Scotland’s trade unionists for their continuing solidarity with the people of South Africa, who are still wrestling with the legacy of apartheid and colonialism.
 
"This container of some 50,000 books will mean that ½ million books will have been sent to the Eastern Cape from Scotland since the end of apartheid. These books are cherished by the children of South Africa.”