Judging by the responses to a brief street survey this week, ordinary South Africans probably won't be spending 67 minutes giving something back to their communities.

The majority of people interviewed responded to the words "Mandela Day" with comments such as "Mandela Day? Is that a new public holiday?"

Politicians, being politicians, have promised to be out in force, with President Jacob Zuma spending time with elderly Ivory Park residents while Minerals and Energy Minister Dipuo Peters will help paint houses in Noupoort.

This week Minister of Arts and Culture Lulama Xingwana launched what has been termed "Moral Regeneration Month" and made some broad remarks as to what this would entail at a meeting with traditional leaders in Polokwane.

She said that "volunteerism" and community development should be strived for ahead of the Soccer World Cup.

While this all looks good on paper, in practice it means nothing.

There will undoubtedly be some kind souls who will spend time doing good deeds, but to merely make a call for "volunteerism" and expect South Africans to heed the call en masse is worse than useless.

While one day a year may be better than nothing, it's going to take more than that to stem the tide of violent crime, rape and the HIV/Aids pandemic.

FULL SPEED AHEAD	NOT SO FAST
Nelson Mandela The world's most-celebrated freedom fighter turns 91 this week. During a lifetime of selfless devotion to the causes of others, this icon has taught the world about love, forgiveness, compassion and peace. Happy birthday, Madiba.	Congress of the People ANC-breakaway party the Congress of the People has been beset by problems of late. Infighting, the resignation of its second deputy president, Lynda Odendaal, and harsh criticism from figures within point to tricky times ahead for the fledgling party.

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