Nelson Mandela Day: Encouraging Action Against Climate Crisis

As we commemorate 27 years of experience in our field since 1996, we find parallels with the transformative release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990. Our journey has been marked by a steadfast commitment to combating the crisis we experience as a nation and a world 

Ten years after his passing on, we are proud to join the globe in celebrating and honouring Madiba’s inspiring legacy. As is the norm, not only on this day, we align ourselves with Tata’s values and principles as we encourage the generality of our people to make a positive impact in our rainbow communities.

Our encouragement stretches further to the need to make every day a “Mandela Day” and desist from waiting for the 18th of July to make positive change. This year’s theme for International Nelson Mandela Day is dubbed climate, food and solidarity.

The theme, which is in line with Goal 13 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, calls for us to act against climate change and its impact while creating food-resilient environments. It also urges us to be in solidarity with communities bearing the brunt of climate change.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation is inviting us towards taking decisive action against “…global climate change and food insecurity, by planting trees, establishing or working in community and home-based food gardens.”

What looks like a mere act of initiating a community vegetable-garden project goes a long way in addressing the climate and food security question. Oftentimes, little consistent efforts are effective; the tropical rainforest was probably birthed by a seed pod that popped and spread its seeds around.

Our collective efforts, in our various spaces, towards abating the destructive effects of climate change take us a step closer to the fulfilment of our sustainable goals.

As we align with this year’s theme, let us also embody other ideals that Madiba reinforced, such as human dignity, equality and compassion towards one another for these forge a unity that comes before addressing climate change and food insecurity.

A very productive International Nelson Mandela Day to everyone - from Image At Work!