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The South African Embassy in Berlin Honors Nelson Mandela

Sixty-seven minutes of service at the Bahnhofsmission provided by the staff of the South African Embassy in Berlin to commemorate the International Nelson Mandela Day

August 18th, 2016
Myron Kanter-Bax, News from Berlin
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The staff of the Embassy of South Africa in Berlin honored Nelson Mandela’s memory by assisting Bahnhofsmission’s noble work by preparing and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to the homeless and destitute.

In 2009, the UN declared July 14th, which is also Nelson Mandela’s birthday, as the International Nelson Mandela Day to honor the preeminent leader of the anti-apartheid struggle and South Africa’s first black head of state.

The staff of the South African Embassy in Berlin organized a charitable activity to commemorate the International Nelson Mandela’s Day and to honor the memory of their Leader.

On 18 July 2016, the Embassy staff performed sixty-seven (67) minutes shifts of service at the Bahnhofsmission, starting from five o'clock in the morning until late at night. They prepared and served breakfast, lunch and dinner to the homeless and destitute, who rely daily on meals, clothes, shelter and general assistance.

The Bahnhofsmission is a German aid organisation currently located at more than a hundred railway stations. With more than 2.000 full-time and voluntary staff, assisting its work, the Bahnhofsmission provides help to marginalized and vulnerable population groups, including homeless and displaced people living in Berlin. It is noteworthy that the Bahnhofsmission’s assistance is provided without the usual encountered bureaucracy, i.e. without registration and many burdensome conditions, and is cost-free.

Earlier in the previous month, at the International Nelson Mandela’s Day, the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Berlin organized a gala evening to raise funds for the Bahnhofsmission’s noble work.
Both activities turned out to be successful. They were embraced with much dedication and enthusiasm.

News from Berlin