UN and Waterford Kamhlaba Plant Trees for Children on Mandela Day

United Nations Eswatini and Waterford Kamhlaba have teamed up to commemorate Nelson Mandela International Day by planting vegetables and fruit trees at four rural preschools for destitute children in the Hhohho Region.

Over 40 staff members from the nine resident UN agencies, including UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, WHO, UNESCO, IOM, UNFPA, WFP, UNAIDS and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator came out to plant fruit trees and vegetables at Shamba preschools located at Nkoyoyo and Makhwane areas.

Waterford Kamhlaba School has been supporting the 19 Shamba preschools which are spread across the country, providing access to early childhood development services and meals for 20 children from poor backgrounds anually. “The parents also appreciate the vegetable gardens and they come to assist in growing the vegetables because they see the value in their children getting nutritious food,” says Busi Sithole, one of the Shamba Preschool teachers.

Sithole said some children carry the vegetables home to eat over weekends because their parents cannot afford to buy food.

Waterford Kamhlaba Principal Jackie Otula said the school is grateful for this partnership because it is at the core of community service. "We’re here because we want to make the best of these experiences to ensure that we live by example for our young ones to be the change agents of tomorrow,” says Otula.

The United Nations Eswatini and Waterford Kamhlaba School collaboration also recognised the school’s 60th birthday where stakeholders are asked to do community service for at least 60 minutes. “Nelson Mandela International Day is observed on July 18th and serves as a meaningful tribute to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela,” says Sibusiso Mngadi, UN Eswatini Communications & Advocacy Officer. “As UN staff we rose to the rallying cry for everyone to take action and inspire change. As this year’s theme suggests, Mandela’s legacy can only live through us, individually and collectively.”

FAO Eswatini donated seedlings for vegetables and fruit trees and also assisted the teams with planting techniques and guidance. More vegetable seedlings were also donated by Waterford School.

In 2023, the United Nations is also commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, principles that Madiba wholeheartedly embraced throughout his remarkable life.

The International Day, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2009, celebrates and promotes Mandela’s values and dedication to conflict resolution, race relations, human rights, reconciliation, gender equality, the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, as well as the fight against poverty and the promotion of social justice. Every year since 2010, individuals around the world are encouraged to take action and inspire change by devoting time to community service on or around 18 July.