South Africans have pledged to spend 67 minutes of their time on Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday on July 18 to assist the less privileged and the poor.

July 18 was officially declared by the United Nations as the Nelson Mandela International Day in November 2009.

On this day individuals, groups and corporates are encouraged to spend 67 minutes of their time giving back to their communities and helping to make a difference in the lives of the less privileged.

This can be done by supporting a charity or serving the community. No matter how small the action, the aim is to change the world for the better, just as Mandela has done.

As ailing Mandela will spend his 95th birthday at a Pretoria hospital where he is being treated for a recurring lung infection, South African have chosen to honour him by doing a variety of activities on his birth day.

South Africa President Jacob Zuma will mark the Nelson Mandela day on Thursday by handing over houses to poor residents in Danville in Pretoria.

"President Zuma first visited the informal settlement in the Hermanstad area ... on July 24, 2008 and again on March 30, 2010 to witness first hand the difficulties experienced by the poor white households, and to assist in finding solutions to their plight within the framework of existing government policies and programmes," the presidency said.

The theme for this year is "Take Action, Inspire Change, Make Every Day a Mandela Day."

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Lead SA have called on students in all schools in South Africa to sing happy birthday for former President Nelson Mandela at exactly 8 a.m. on July 18.

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said, "The changes we enjoy today are the fruits of the toil of towering icon, Tata Madiba. It can only be a privilege for every learner and every citizen to observe in song and reflect in prayer the 95th birthday of our former President Nelson Mandela.

Different activities have also been lined-up at Mandela's rural home in Qunu, Eastern Cape to mark Mandela Day.

The Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu will mark the day by organizing coaching clinics for youngsters. The museum staff will also clean the graves of struggle veterans, while a fund-raising lecture will also be held, with the proceeds to be donated to a charity organization.

At Mandela's birth place in Mvezo, Eastern Cape, Zuma will hand over a bridge to the community.

South Africans say they are doing all this in response to Mandela's call which he made at his last international speech at the concert for his 90th birthday in Hyde Park in South Africa.

He said at that time: "It is in your hands to make the world a better place. Where there is poverty and sickness, where human beings are being oppressed, there is more work to be done. Our work is our freedom for all."

Non-governmental organizations have also heeded the call to offer their time for Mandela.

Khuthaza is a non profit company facilitating career and business development opportunities, primarily for women, in the construction industry.

The company will participate in a walk organized by a local radio station "Talk radio 702" to raise funds for developing small businesses.

Individuals have also pledged to do their bit to assist the communities.

Bongani Ncube, a Johannesburg resident, said he will spend 67 minutes by visiting old people' home in Soweto, Johannesburg. Ncube said: "As a way to honour our former president, I will sing for the elderly and give them food.

"It will also be a time to reflect on the great works done by our Tata Mandela. I wish him many more years to come."

Jane Murray, an 18-year-old student, said she will make a difference on the Mandela Day by visiting an orphanage as a way to assist the less privileged in her community.

"I will teach them about the importance about Mandela legacy. We will also sing birthday songs for Mandela and share cakes and sweats afterwards."