In 1990, Nelson Mandela famously touched down in Harlem alongside Winnie Mandela just months after his release from prison. An indelible connection formed over a shared struggle between Black New Yorkers living above 110th Street and South Africans living under apartheid rule thanks to the visit.
The spirit of that connection continued July 17 as roughly 25 volunteers from the Mandela Foundation, the United Nations, and city government served lunch to the Harlem community at Free Food Harlem at Refettorio, a restaurant-style pantry operated out of Emanuel A.M.E. Church on 119th Street.
“The work is not complete — the work of fighting for justice for everyone,” Dr. Mbongiseni Buthelezi, Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO said, as he stepped aside from delivering plates from the kitchen this past Friday, July 17.
July 18 marks Nelson Mandela International Day annually for the U.N., as well as the human rights icon’s 108th heavenly birthday this year. A day ahead, the volunteering diplomats put on hairnets and waited tables for 67 minutes, famously in honor of the former South African president’s 67 years of service.
“That is an occasion to remind people of his legacy,” Melissa Fleming, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications said. “And his values that are very close to the values of the United Nations, what’s embedded in the charter that every woman, man, child, person should live in dignity and equality. And that is what he represents.”
Mandela long shaped the U.N.’s global mission and an honorary award and human rights standards for prisoner treatment were created in his name. A life-sized statue stands on the General Assembly’s first floor.
Local agencies like NYC Service and the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs also played a hand in putting together the event.
“When we look at food insecurity, there’s so many networks that are in local communities that are already providing access,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Laura Rog. “For us, it’s how do we get more volunteers there because they’re seeing an uptick in the need for their services. They’re also seeing cuts in their resources…and it’s really an opportunity to see how communities take care of each other.”
Free Food Harlem at Refettorio built a reputation for high-quality meals over a classy dining experience weekly. Bob Wilms, the project’s director, said the lunch was put together over two weeks.
“This is a space where everything equalizes,” Wilms said. “The billionaire is no more important than the person who has nothing and it’s a place where everyone gets connected around service.”
