PICTURE: PEXELS/ CHARITY
Mandela Day serves as an annual reminder to give back. Observed on 18 July, the day honours the 67 years Nelson Mandela spent fighting for justice by encouraging people to dedicate 67 minutes of service to their communities.
This year, organisations across South Africa are rolling out campaigns to help address issues such as hunger, education and dignity. Here are a few ways to get involved:
Stir up kindness with Chefs with Compassion
Chefs with Compassion is calling on individuals, restaurants and community kitchens to take part in their #67000litres Challenge. Now in its sixth year, the campaign aims to rescue food that would otherwise go to waste and cook nutritious meals to distribute to communities in need.
Participants can register to cook, donate ingredients or simply share the campaign. Visit chefswithcompassion.org.za for details.
Walk your talk with Ladles of Love
Cape Town’s own Ladles of Love is once again stepping up to tackle child hunger. This year’s campaign invites volunteers to donate their time, pack food items or contribute financially. Their message is clear: one meal can make a real difference in a child’s life. Learn more at ladlesoflove.org.za.
Help learners through The Love Trust
The Love Trust is focusing on quality education this Mandela Day. South Africans are encouraged to contribute to educational upliftment by donating school supplies, supporting educators or mentoring learners.
Painting with purpose at Nokuphila School in Thembisa, Midrand
The focus for Mandela Day 2025 is set on restoring and painting classrooms. Although this task may not seem glamorous or urgent at first glance, Terri-Lynn Smith, Head of Fundraising and Communication for The Love Trust, emphasises its profound significance.
The organisation works to restore dignity and create future opportunities through education.
Give back with Blanket Drive
Join the CCID’s Social Development department and City Sightseeing by donating a blanket to honour Madiba’s legacy. In lieu of your generosity, you’ll receive a free cup of coffee from Kamili Coffee, which is the drop-off point. And those in the know, know Kamili serves an excellent Cup of Joe.
- Drop off your blanket at Kamili at the corner of Long and Shortmarket Sts (Look out for City Sightseeing’s Stop 5)
- You can take part in this blanket drive until Friday 18 July 2025.
- The blankets will be donated to CCID partner NGOs on Monday 21 July.
Support child survivors at courts with Ward 71
More than 4 500 children arrive each year at Cape Town’s sexual offences courts many cold, hungry and afraid. This Mandela Day, the Ward 71 Mandela Day Drive is collecting donations to support these young survivors.
- Non-perishables: Weet-Bix, two-minute noodles, Cup-a-Soup, biscuits, Oros, milk
- Comfort items: Storybooks, colouring books, crayons, soft toys, stress balls
- Clothing and shoes: Ages 6 to 18
- Donations can be dropped off at 14 Myrtle Road, Tokai, until 25 July
- Contact: Cessi Antonie on 082 900 1832 (Amazing Grace Upliftment Centre) to arrange.
Get beading with Ikamva Labantu
Bead bracelets and share stories with elders with Ikamva Labantu and support youth education and identity-building at The Camissa Museum.
- Contact: ikamva.org |+27 21 461 8338
Support the Camissa Museum this Mandela Day
The Camissa Museum honours the often-erased stories of Cape Town’s indigenous, enslaved and displaced communities. Donations help the museum:
- Train and support local volunteer hosts
- Run school programmes and youth workshops
- Build a community-rooted space for memory and dignity
How to support:
- BackaBuddy
- Cash, direct deposit or SnapScan at the museum
- Email: admin@camissamuseum.co.za | Visit: camissamuseum.co.za
Clean the Coast with Two Oceans Aquarium
The recent storm activity thrashing the Western Cape coast has left beaches inundated with pollution from fast-flowing river run-off and ocean swells. Pick up litter along the coast with Two Oceans Aquarium‘s Trash Bash beach clean up, and walk and raise funds for rescued bulldogs English and French Bulldog Rescue SA new Page.
- Address: Sunset Beach, (parking on Forata Drive) Milnerton, Cape Town
- Date: 19 July 2025 09h00 to 11h00
- Contact: +27 21 814 4539 | E HWares@aquarium.co.za
Simply show up
Spending time with the elderly, reading to kids, or checking in on someone who lives alone might not seem like much, but it is. Ubuntu lives in our presence. So show up and make this Mandela Day count.
First published by Cape {town} etc
Compiled by Angelica Rhoda
Also see: Top 5 Madiba-inspired movies to watch this Mandela Day