The spirit of Mandela Day, celebrated on 18 July 2023, permeated the Mamelodi Business Hub (MBH) garden as young entrepreneurs came together to sow seeds of change that would positively impact their communities.

In honour of Mandela Day, the MBH entrepreneurs dedicated their 67 minutes to work in the community vegetable garden to help feed local early childhood development (ECD) centres, in line with the theme for 2023; “It’s in your hands: Climate, Food, and Solidarity”.

Food security is a fundamental human right, yet many communities across the globe face challenges accessing nutritious and affordable food. Through the food garden initiative, the entrepreneurs aimed to address food insecurity by growing nutritious food to nourish healthy bodies, and fuel young minds and brains in the community. By nurturing the soil with seeds for a flourishing food garden, the Mandela Day celebrations at the MBH garden aimed to tackle poverty and mitigate the impact of climate change.

MBH entrepreneurs working on the food garden for Mandela Day 

Carto Abrams-Swarts of the Department of Business Management in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, who coordinated the event, emphasised the importance of food gardens in promoting food security. “In Mamelodi, these community-driven initiatives are vital in providing fresh produce, empowering residents, and fostering sustainability,” she said.

The MBH Mandela Day celebration showcased the power of unity in driving sustainable change in Mamelodi, igniting hope for a brighter future for young children. For those who donated their time to work in the garden, the celebration evoked feelings of pride and achievement as they upheld the legacy of Nelson Mandela.

MBH entrepreneur Alucia Lebogang Lebese, who is the owner of Lumi Summit and Lamilk Accessories, said she was pleased to be part of an initiative that makes a difference in people’s lives and restores hope in society. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted,” she expressed.

The MBH food garden provided a platform for diverse groups of people to collaborate in cultivating a thriving green space that could provide food for young children. For Reatile Moalusi, owner of EOD Media, dedicating time to the garden was an enriching experience. He expressed his gratitude for being part of such a worthy cause, adding: “Those 67 minutes spent planting seedlings will soon yield tangible vegetation, benefiting the community for days and weeks to come.”

Beyond providing food and nourishment, the Mandela Day celebrations at the MBH food garden fostered connections and relationships among the entrepreneurs, adding value to their businesses and promoting unity in the community.

Samantha Rabie of the Department of Business Management, who worked closely with the entrepreneurs, remarked: “As we work side by side, a vibrant community space blossoms and the legacy of Mandela lives on through our collective efforts. Together, we cultivated plants and hope for a brighter future for all.”