​Lerato Mailoane
The Gauteng Provincial Government, on Thursday, 18 July, joined scores of South Africans around the country in commemorating the Nelson Mandela International Day.
The former Statesman's birthday was officially adopted by the United Nations as the Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009 to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela through community service.
To mark the 10 anniversary of the initiative, and in keeping up with what the Day signifies, the Gauteng MEC for Economic Development and Rural Development, Kgosientso Ramokgopa planted a vegetable garden at the Thuto Lore Secondary School in Sharpeville. 
"This food garden will go a long way in ensuring that children at this school receive healthy nutritious meals daily," said Ramokgopa. 
More than 1200 learners, 40 educators, as well as 5 food handler volunteers who cook and serve meals of the school's nutrition programme participated in the action-packed day that highlighted the benefits of healthy eating.
Ramokgopa urged learners to focus on their studies and promised children from disadvantaged backgrounds attending at the school free school uniforms as their economic circumstances should not affect their school work. 
Ramokgopa went on to pay tribute to former president Nelson Mandela who fought tirelessly to ensure that children of all races have access to quality education.  
"We are grateful to Mandela and his generation because they made it possible for all children to have equal opportunities," he said.
He said the biggest gift the pupils could give Mandela would be to be diligent in their school work, respect their teachers and their parents and to ensure a better future for themselves.