Numerous organisations are hosting Nelson Mandela Day events on Thursday. (Rajesh Jantilal/AFP)
- Organisations around the country are hosting events in celebration of Mandela Day, where they will be giving back to the vulnerable.
- Citizens are encouraged to embody the former president’s legacy of service.
- Mandela Day, celebrated globally on 18 July, honours Madiba by encouraging individuals, communities, and organisations to actively contribute to positive change in their communities.
In celebration of the late president Nelson Mandela’s birthday, numerous organisations are hosting events that reflect his enduring legacy of service.
These events offer opportunities for South Africans to give back to communities and support those in need.
During Mandela Day, ordinary South Africans and organisations give back to communities and the vulnerable in society.
Chefs with Compassion, a collaboration of chefs and other partners, are calling for participants to take part in their 67 minutes of community service by helping to prepare at least 67 000 litres of soup on the day.
Last year, 104 360 litres of soup were cooked and served by the team to vulnerable communities across the country, uniting chefs, community caterers, NGOs, and corporates to cook and distribute nutritious meals, supported by generous donations from the poultry industry.
This year, the initiative seeks to meet its target and make more soup and surpass last year’s impressive achievement.
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Like Chefs with Compassion, NPO SA Harvest has launched the #BucketsofNutrition challenge, a campaign designed to provide essential nutrition to needy families in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town.
This initiative aims to combat hunger and ensure sustenance beyond Mandela Day, feeding a family of four for up to three weeks.
The NPO invites all South Africans to join this cause, “honouring Mandela’s legacy by fighting hunger and uplifting communities”.
The UN branch in South Africa will host 17 TED talks on Mandela Day. These talks will highlight initiatives on sustainability and economic development. The event will occur at the Gordon Institute of Business Science in Johannesburg from 08:30 to 16:00.
Ashraful Aid, an international humanitarian organisation, will also host an event at the Wanderers Stadium in Sandton.
They aim to pack 5 000 food packs for needy families and seek dedicated volunteers eager to significantly impact the community.
In Cape Town
Cape Town’s regional and magistrate’s courts will host a “soup and support” session, offering the public an opportunity to seek guidance on addressing maintenance issues and handling domestic violence complaints.
Acting regional court manager Vuyisile Nyameli said staff would visit the Culemborg safe space after the session to distribute the prepared soup to shelter residents and provide essential information on court processes.
“Some people don’t know how to get help in court,” Nyameli added.
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The courts frequently handle numerous cases of rape and domestic violence, often involving people who lack the means to hire private legal representation.
In addition to legal support, court staff will collect clothing, create soft toys for children, and make blankets.
An hour away in Stellenbosch, the Pebbles Centre will have a pack or sponsor stationery boxes with the Pebbles Project for Mandela.
They will be packing stationery boxes for children in need and taking the boxes to them; the event costs R200.
The Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape Oscar Premier Mabuyane announced in honour of Mandela Day, the province would collaborate with the Nelson Mandela Museum and Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture to organise meaningful activities, including the donation of a library to Ludeke Primary School.
Eastern Cape Human Settlements MEC Siphokazi Lusithi will be handing over keys to a new house to a 110-year-old destitute man from Patensie in the Kouga Local Municipality.
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The handover is part of the department’s Nelson Mandela Day celebrations, which focus on improving the lives of the destitute and vulnerable.
In KZN
The eThekwini Municipality will host a reSURGEnce Conference for a community service initiative, where they will be painting, cleaning and gardening communities.
FoodForwardSA is partnering with organisations across South Africa to address hunger and food insecurity.
They invite people to join them for 67 minutes of volunteer work at one of FoodForward SA‘s warehouses nationwide to sort food items and pack parcels.
These meals will be distributed to community kitchens, shelters, and centres caring for vulnerable children and the elderly.