"These are challenging times. We are traversing a path we have never travelled before. There are many amongst us who are fearful, uncertain and vulnerable. I call on our people to offer a prayer and a thought for the protection and healing of our land and its people from this disease." The words of South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa during the time of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Nelson Mandela - anti-Apartheid icon, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and South Africa's first democratically elected president, spent much time after his release from prison writing at the Mandela Centre for Reconciliation - a peaceful retreat built for his exclusive use by his friend Douw Steyn. This private retreat gave President Mandela the opportunity to carry out his important work uninterrupted - in beautiful peace, solitude and tranquility. During the global COVID-19 pandemic the world has witnessed leaders appealing to citizens all across the globe to act morally and sociably responsible and to observe the laws of our governments for the common good of all society. The team at Shambala Private Game Reserve have close ties to their surrounding communities and realised that there was an urgent need to provide assistance to the most vulnerable by offering some much needed basic food security. As businesses closed and residents continued to distance themselves from their neighbours, the Shambala team purchased, unpacked and repacked food parcels for vulnerable members of the Vaalwater Community. The entrance to Nelson Mandela's home away from home in the African bush, the Nelson Mandela Villa, was transformed as food parcels were prepared and loaded into vehicles then delivered with the assistance of community leaders and the Mayor of Vaalwater. This generous gesture not only provided much needed relief to families and individuals it also cemented the community spirit during this crisis. The world is now in the midst of a pandemic the likes of which most of us have never experienced before. These are challenging times, but it is imperative that we stand united - working towards a better future. "A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of." Nelson Mandela *"Thuma mina" means "I am here, Send Me",  a song by Hugh Masekela, the theme of which is self-sacrifice, individual responsibility and the the importance of personal change in mindsets. President Cyril Ramaphosa quoted this in his inaugural State of the Nation address to South Africa. The team of Shambala Private Game Reserve would like to thank Suzanne Ackerman, Jonathan Ackerman and Lephalale Pick n Pay with regard to their assistance with the logistics during such a difficult time. A very special thank you to the team at the EMS Foundation for their passion and drive, without which this initiative would not have been possible.