Every day, I work to bring together the United Nations family in South Africa to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But before this role, before the meetings, milestones and coordination, my story began with something far simpler: volunteering.
Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s words, “It is in your hands to create a better world for all,” I believe that the world changes only when people choose to act. Volunteerism was my first step, and it has shaped everything since.
Finding purpose through service, I didn’t start volunteering with a grand plan. I joined organisations like Transparency International and Amnesty International because I cared about their causes and wanted to help. What I didn’t realize then was how much those experiences would define my future.
Through volunteering, I learned how to solve problems, work in teams, and lead with empathy. One of my first managers, herself a former volunteer with Voluntary Service Overseas, told me, “To truly serve humanity, you must be willing to give your time, energy, and skills—even without pay.” That lesson stayed with me. It taught me that the value of what we give often goes far beyond any paycheck.
The power of volunteerism
Volunteering doesn’t just help communities. It transforms those who serve. It builds resilience, adaptability, and leadership, while opening doors to opportunities you might never imagine. For me, it led to global work on the Millennium Development Goals and later, the SDGs, experiences that deepened my belief in what people can achieve when united by purpose.
Today, as UN Resident Coordinator, I see that same spirit every day. Volunteers are at the heart of many of our most meaningful efforts. From driving social cohesion to supporting clean energy and empowering young people, they bring fresh perspectives, new ideas and an incredible drive to make a difference.
Ubuntu in action
In South Africa, we speak of ubuntu: “I am because we are.” Growing up, I saw ubuntu everywhere–neighbours building schools together, families helping one another, and communities caring for the vulnerable. That is the essence of volunteerism: recognizing that none of us can thrive alone. As we work towards achieving the SDGs, this spirit of ubuntu is more important than ever.
The challenges are vast, but so are the possibilities if we come together.
Governments, civil society, the private sector and volunteers all have a part to play in creating the future we want.
Nelson Mandela once said, “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.”
So I ask: what will you do with your time?
Take the first step. Volunteer.
You might be surprised where the journey leads.
This blog is part of Journeys of Inspiration, a photobook. Many of the leaders whose stories are captured in this book began their journeys not in positions of authority, but in service—as UN Volunteers, as community activists, as individuals determined to make a difference. The book will be launched on 20 April 2026.