Scottish Country Dance of the Day

Mandela Day, the 18th of July, is an annual international day adopted by the United Nations to recognize the contributions of Nelson Mandela (born this day, July 18, 1918) the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist, and the President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black chief executive, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism and fostering racial reconciliation.

Mandela Day is more than a celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy; it is a call to action for people everywhere to recognise their individual power to take responsibility to change the world around them.

There are several significant numbers associated with Mandela Day. The first, "46664" also known as "Four Double Six Six Four" is the title of this dedication dance.

For his political activities in response to the establishment of of apartheid, Nelson Mandela was arrested, convicted, and imprisoned on Robben Island in 1964, as the 466th prisoner that year. His prison number remained 466/64 until 1982, when he was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison. "Prisoner 46664" continues to be used as a reverential title for him.

Another significant number, "67", represents his years of public service.

Devised by Andrew Hodgson and Heather McBurnie in July 2008 in honour of this worldwide icon, this dance was first danced on Saturday, the 18th of July 2009, the inaugural Mandela Day, on Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday. The dance echoes the number 46664 (four double six six four), Mandela's prison number, in both the number of bars and the number of dancers.

And more for about Mandela Day, click here.  And for the origin of the colourful handprint,  stylized around Nelson Mandela's famous lithography series of his own handprints, click below.