Staff at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, along with members of the Youth@Work programme dedicated their 67 minutes in honour of Nelson Mandela by serving 600 cups of soup to the needy at the Grand Parade.
The enthusiastic youngsters moved in groups into the city and served the homeless warm meals.
Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation chief executive Mbulelo Bikini said: “Mandela Day is an opportunity to express the spirit of African compassion or Ubuntu,
which welcomes the foreigners into our homes because they are fellow human beings, not because they are known to us.”
Youth@Work project co-ordinator Solomon Nyezi said the organisation’s members, aged between 17 and 20, were also participating in their nine-month skills-building programme.
“Our programme aims to help uplift our participants and teach them different skills, and along with that, it includes community service. In the spirit of Madiba we are spreading the love, hope and message that there are people who care,” said Nyezi.
He said it was important for youth members to participate not just because of the legacy of Mandela, but because they are serving the communities they come from.
Camisha Amansure, 17, from Parkwood, said it was important to give back.
“President Mandela served the people of South Africa and will forever be remembered for his sacrifices and suffering for his people.
“That is also true of our archbishop (Tutu), a living embodiment of love and compassion, and that is why we honour both of them here today,” said Amansure.
Rajaan Lucas, who lives with her family at the Khulisa Streetscape garden, received a double dose of Madiba magic as volunteers tended to their garden while youth members provided them with a warm meal.
“This has been an amazing day so far, our garden is looking great and now these youngsters have given us something to eat.
“People do not know how difficult it is living like this, especially during winter. And I hope more people will be infected with Madiba’s spirit,” said Lucas.