PRESIDENt Jacob Zuma's call to the world to celebrate Nelson Mandela' s 91st birthday at the weekend by volunteering 67 minutes of their time to good causes clearly drew an overwhelming, heart-warming response from all walks of life.

PRESIDENt Jacob Zuma's call to the world to celebrate Nelson Mandela' s 91st birthday at the weekend by volunteering 67 minutes of their time to good causes clearly drew an overwhelming, heart-warming response from all walks of life.

During the brief spells of community work, volunteers were confronted by the myriad challenges that abound in our communities.

Thanks to Madiba's birthday clarion call, which undoubtedly helped revive the dying community spirit in our neighbourhoods and opened many an eye to the imperative of human fellowship.

Just as his call reminded us that the world needs ubuntu spirit to heal, it also invoked the truism of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius's immortalised words, that: "Waste no time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one."