SHAVE TO REMEMBER 100 YEARS OF MADIBA

Ntutule Tshenye, General Manager, Philips

The year 2018, marks the centenary year of Nelson Mandela’s birth - Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, on 18 July 1918. The Nelson Mandela Foundation (the Foundation) is commemorating Madiba’s centenary under the theme entire “Be the Legacy”, a call to action for all citizens of the world to live the values of Madiba. The Foundation is rallying individuals and organisations to dismantle the unequal structures of power and protects the most vulnerable through actions and dialogue.

To remember and celebrate Madiba’s legacy, the Foundation in collaboration with Philips South Africa (“Philips”) is calling on all South Africans and beyond to Shave to Remember, and reignite the unwavering spirit of Madiba by recreating the iconic Madiba line.

The Shave to Remember campaign calls on everyone to unite behind an icon and the values he embodied, because his legacy will live as long as we remember.

Whether it is kindness, a deep concern for the people around them, a quiet inner-strength, a brilliant mind that thinks deeply, or softly-spoken compassion – the campaign calls on everyone to honour their truth in remembrance of a home grown, global icon.

“The path that Madiba wore on his hair represents a long road that he walked, but more importantly, signifies the distance that still lies ahead for all of us that are left behind to continue the journey of freedom, peace and equality,” says Sello Hatang, Chief Executive of the Foundation. “That is why we are inviting everyone to join this social movement of wearing his iconic cut with pride in remembrance, and why we call on each South African and beyond to find personal inspiration by living his values, and creating the absolute best version of our future.”

The shaving drive will kick-off on Youth Day, 16 June 2018; South Africans are urged to head to their local barber, get the haircut, taking and tagging pictures with #ShaveToRemember, and sharing on the Shave to Remember website and on their social media platforms their reason for pledging to remember and driving Madiba’s footsteps forward, using the hashtag #ShaveToRemember.

To stimulate mass participation, on Saturday, 30 June 2018, the Foundation along with Philips will host a “day to remember” at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg. The initiative will bring 30 local barbers together in the inner city to craft Madiba’s iconic cut for six hours, and recreate a symbol of recollection, and determination. Local artists including Sizwe ‘Reason’ Moeketsi, MsCosmo, Major League DJs and street drummers will provide the backdrop for a day to remember.  Members of the public are invited and encouraged to come and participate.

To encourage conversation across South Africa and beyond, the Foundation and Philips have released an emotive short film titled, The Madiba in Me. In the film, Mandela’s own words are delivered by everyday unsung heroes to those they care about, to each other, and towards themselves. This visual poetry sounds the call to embody his legacy, to find personal truth in each of us, and ultimately to Shave to Remember, at home, at a local barber or at the activation in Mary Fitzgerald Square.

“For over a century, Philips has been dedicated to creating solutions that make people’s lives better by instilling confidence in men and women, across the continent to be the best version of themselves,” says Ntutule Tshenye, General Manager, Philips. “Captivated by Madiba’s legacy, and as a proud partner of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, we believe that the campaign will bring his values to life through solidarity, reflection, and a deep sense of personal inspection.”

From the world-renowned Madiba shirts, to the shaved parting down the left-hand side of his head known as the Madiba-line, and famous fabric prints that inspired the 46664 fashion line; the legacy of this world icon has far exceeded that of only a liberation leader. He understood the importance of putting your best foot forward - be it through impeccable style, what he stood for, how he bridged differences, or his embodiment of hope, light and grace.

So come out and Shave to Remember, and ultimately honour his legacy. For more information, visit www.shavetoremember.com or YouTube, and join the #ShavetoRemember conversation on Twitter @PhilipsSAfrica and @NelsonMandela or visit the partners’ Facebook pages, and share your iconic haircut to honour an icon.