​Do What You Can, With What You Have, Wherever You Are
Nelson Mandela International Day was launched in recognition of Nelson Mandela's birthday on 18 July 2009 via unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly. It was inspired by a call Nelson Mandela made for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world's social injustices when he said that "it is in your hands now". It is more than a celebration of Madiba's life and legacy, it is a global movement to honour his life's work and to change the world for the better.
MEC Parks Tau joined the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) to launch Mandela Day 2022 in the community of Zandspruit in Honeydew, Johannesburg. The global theme for 2022 is "Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are." The context is a world in which inequality continues to grow, climate change is reaching crisis levels and in which the destructive impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed existing disparities and further damaged vulnerable communities. 
The calamitous floods in Kwa-Zulu Natal which killed at least 453 people, destroyed 4 000 houses, and displaced about 40 000 residents demonstrate that there is a climate emergency. The closure of the port of Durban which is the largest in Africa caused a global disruption in the supply of food and minerals and led to the President of South Africa declaring a national state of disaster.
Global food and nutrition programmes are being highlighted for Mandela Day 2022. The call-to-action focuses on promoting community and backyard gardens, supporting fruit and indigenous tree planting, and creating awareness of the intersections between food security and climate change.
People are urged to:
Plant and grow fresh, organic and cost-effective produce in or for vulnerable communities.
Plant and grow trees for the well-being of all, with an emphasis on fruit trees in support of food production for vulnerable communities.
Invest in sustainable food production platforms to the benefit of vulnerable communities.
Embrace home and community planting and growing as a contribution to protecting the environment and addressing the challenge of climate change.
The call to action is as broad and as inclusive as possible – identify those in need around you and do what you can to make a difference for them. Nelson Mandela tended to a garden while he was in prison and said "A garden was one of the few things in prison that one could control. To plant a seed, watch it grow, to tend it then harvest it, offered a simple but enduring satisfaction." 
Become part of the global movement for good and be part of the solution. Become involved this Mandela Day and influence change!