DSD AND FOOD FORWARD JOIN FORCES ON MANDELA DAY: PACKING HOPE FOR SOUTH AFRICA

By Sello Tang

• Honouring Madiba’s Legacy:In line with Mandela Day’s theme of combating poverty, the Department of Social Development partnered with Food Forward South Africa to package food parcels for vulnerable communities. This exemplifies the spirit of Ubuntu – sharing the burden and responsibility for others.
• 67 Minutes for Change:DSD staff, led by Director Mondli Mbhele, dedicated 67 minutes to this act of service, highlighting the ongoing need to address hunger and food insecurity in South Africa. Their actions contribute to Mandela’s legacy of social justice.
• National Focus on Social Issues:Mandela Day coincides with the Opening of Parliament Address and the 30th anniversary of democracy. These events encourage reflection on the challenges faced by South Africans and a commitment to building a stronger nation.

In honour of the first black President of South Africa, the late uTata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, government has called on everyone in the country to use today’s Mandela Day (18 July) to improve the lives of those in need. Heeding this call and as part of the Nelson Mandela Day activities, the Department of Social Development today, through its Directorate; Food Distribution and Nutrition, joined Food Forward South Africa and the many other companies and organisations at the Gallagher Estate Convetion Centre, Hall 1, in Midrand to help in packaging donated food stuff earmarked to be distributed to needy communities.

Nelson Mandela Day is marked every year on uTata Nelson Mandela’s 18 July birthday. Mandela Day was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2009.

This year’s Mandela Day is celebrated under the theme:” Combatting Poverty and Inequality is in our hands”.

This is in line with the spirit of Ubuntu that says a person is a person through other people.

In spending their 67 minutes working with Food Forward SA, the actions of the DSD staff, led by the Director of Food Distribution and Nutrition Director, Mr Mondli Mbhele, will make a difference in someone’s life and, show that the plight of South Africans does not end today as, long as some sections of our communities still go to bed on a hungry stomach.

Their actions contribute immensely towards taking the legacy of uTata Madiba legacy forward.

 Our communities face a myriad of challenges, one of which is lack of food and starvation.

The Department has since formed the Community Nutrition and Development Centres (CNDCs) to contribute in alleviating the rampant hunger and poverty in the country.

In commemorating this Madiba Day, a varied events are scheduled throughout the country to inspire positive change within the vulnerable and  communities in need.

This year’s Mandela Day takes on an added significance as it coincides with the Opening of Parliament Address for the 7th Administration, which is scheduled to take place at 21:00 tonight.

The opening provides President Cyril Ramaphosa an opportunity to outline the key priorities and policies of the administration which is made up of several political parties that formed a Government of National Unity. The day is also commemorated during the time when the country celebrates its 30 years of Democracy and Freedom.