What we can learn from Mandela Day

“The distinctive characteristic of Jewish ethics is the social concern for all.” This simple yet deeply meaningful statement appears on a sign planted in a vegetable garden on the grounds of the old Brakpan synagogue. Through the vision and energy of Yakima Waner and the Harvest Project she founded, these premises have, since the onset of COVID, been turned into a vibrant hub of social outreach for the youth of the area, one of its flagship projects being to train and empower young children in sustainable food production.

The Harvest Project was one of four SAJBD-supported initiatives that our president, Shaun Zagnoev, national director Wendy Kahn and other professional staff members visited on Mandela Day. In addition to Brakpan, they travelled to Soweto and Alexandra to see what our partners The Angel Network, Simbambisene Foundation and Fingertips of Africa are doing, not just to alleviate the immediate needs of those they assist, but as importantly, also to provide them with the tools and skills to become self-sufficient in the future. While we have, through the SAJBD Food Fund, supported hundreds of worthy projects, these were chosen because of the especially close partnerships that have developed between us. This has been particularly true of The Angel Network, with which we have worked hand-in-hand since lockdown to decide on what projects to take on and ensure that the funds are put to the best possible use.

During their visits, Wendy and her colleagues participated in the nitty-gritty tasks of food preparation and packing. In acknowledgement of the amazing work that these organisations are doing, we also presented them with certificates of appreciation from the SAJBD. While these paid tribute to the organisations themselves, I wish here to mention by name Glynne Wolman of The Angel Network, Fingertips of Africa’s Yehuda Lazarus, Clive Mashishi, Yakima Waner, and the husband-and-wife team of Linda and Gaofose Mbatha. Regarding Clive, I can record how invaluable he has been as the interface between us and the communities in which he operates, thereby enabling the assistance we provide to be channelled quickly and efficiently to where it is needed most.

For their part, our Cape Council partnered with Mensch and the United Jewish Campaign CT to help feed and create future food sustainability for the Langa community. Beneficiaries included Fair Food SA – SA Urban Food + Farming Trust and IKhaya Le Langa. Thanks to generous donations to the Mensch Mandela Day 2022 Global Cook-A-Thon; with some 100 volunteers pitching in, they were able to make 500 litres of soup for the community.In Durban, the Board once again partnered with the Union of Jewish Women in preparing food for distribution to various outreach programmes in the city they support.

Prior to the day’s roadshow, Wendy spoke on Chai FM about how the Board and its partners were going about realising the values Mandela embodied. A crucial point that she made was that the Mandela Day spirit needs to be carried through throughout the year, and to that end must go beyond being concerned only about what affects us. We are privileged to work with people who are showing how much can be achieved by those who care enough to go beyond their comfort zones and find ways to make a practical difference. For them, every day is Mandela Day, and the example they are setting is an inspiration to us all.

• Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, 101.9 ChaiFM every Friday 12:00-13:00