“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela would have turned 100 years old today. “One of history’s giants”, as former US President Barack Obama referred to him, saw himself first and foremost as a servant of his people, and his lifelong humility and dedication to humanity set an example that will most likely never be equalled.
Londolozi has a long history with Nelson Mandela and his legacy. He visited here on multiple occasions – his first being shortly after his release from prison in 1991 – and played a large role in shaping the future of the eco-tourism model that Londolozi subscribes to and helped craft.
Freedom’s Way, the pathway up through our staff village was, built in his honour, and celebrates Courage, Resilience, Freedom, Trust and Unity among others; qualities that Madiba espoused or ideals that he dedicated his life to fighting for.
July 18th, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, was officially declared as Mandela Day in 2009 by the United Nations, with the first one being held in 2010. As a global call to action, the day is not a holiday, but calls for people to celebrate the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world.
General Manager Duncan MacLarty addresses the assembled guests and staff who joined for the Mandela Day celebrations.
In recognition of the 67 years that Mandela spent fighting social injustice, Mandela Day asks people to set aside just 67 minutes of their day to do good in the world through volunteering and community service.
Londolozi decided to plant 67 indigenous aloes in the area surrounding the Varty Camp car park, inviting guests and staff to join in the effort to brighten up the area with these glorious winter-blooming plants, that provide a beautiful splash of colour amid an otherwise generally brown winter landscape.
The aloe gardens outside the Londolozi offices.
The aloes blooming at this time of year provide valuable nectar for a myriad of bird species, like this Collared Sunbird.
The whole landscape of the Londolozi camps has been transformed by the planting of various aloe species over the last few years, largely thanks to the green fingers of Mr Botanical himself, Kenneth Jasi, who is in charge of all the camp gardens, re-seeding and nurseries.
Under his direction, the various attendees descended on the designated plot, carefully unwrapping the aloes and lowering them down into pre-made holes.
Ranger Kevin Power makes sure his aloe can’t escape…
Just in case you thought he might not have been working….
Pete Thorpe and Chris Taylor carefully unwrap one of the aloes from its containment before lowering it into its hole.
Kenneth Jasi, the man with the magic touch when it comes to anything botanical.
Londolozi Guest Kate Sheehan gets involved.
Anna Oosthuizen applies the finishing touches to one of the newly planted aloes.
Imagine if 7 billion people all took 67 minutes to do something today.
And maybe tomorrow as well…
How much of a better place would the world be?
Such a beautiful way to celebrate the life of an amazing man who not only did so much for South Africa but spread his love and wisdom around the world.
A beautiful post on a very special day. My son shares a birthday with Nelson Mandela which will always make 18 July extra special for me. And shortly after he was released from prison, my wife and her oldest son were in Zimbabwe and met Mr. Mandela – an experience that still brings tears to their eyes.
Fantastic! So happy to hear that guests were involved as well in the legacy that this fine human being left to not only his country, but to the world as well.
Kudos to Londolozi for celebrating Mandela Day with reverence and purpose.
What a beautiful way to honor the legacy of Nelson Mandela – Bravo!
We really enjoyed the aloes af Founders Camp earlier this month, never having seen them in bloom before. What a lovely way to celebrate the spirit of Nelson Mandela and at a place he loved so much.
What a remarkable man Mr. Mandela was. We would all do well to emulate his humanitarian. Victoria
“And maybe tomorrow as well”. That’s the key. So many people do a feel-good activity on 18 July, and then go back into their comfort zones. With so much need and so much we can contribute, it must be an every day awareness to find the places, no matter how small, where we can make a difference!
.
. .
Amazing) …… …….)