Mandela Day, 18 July, is a day for South Africans to dedicate 67 minutes making a difference in honour of Madiba.
However, schedules can fill up quickly making it easy for this day of charity to sneak up on you. If busy timetables have got the best of you, here are a few ideas on how to give back this Mandela Day:
1. It doesn’t actually have to take up your time:
When buying feminine hygiene products, pop a few extra items into your trolley to donate to women who can’t afford it. As women we all know how uncomfortable it can be if you don’t have what you need; so this month, make it a bit easier for someone else. You can take what you’ve bought and collected to your nearest Dis-Chem store and drop them in a collection bin at the door, and they will distribute them to needy women as part of their One Million Comforts campaign. Alternatively, take them through to a women’s shelter in your community. Here’s a list of organisations.
2. It will make your community cleaner:
Pick up 67 pieces of litter in your area on Mandela Day. If you are in Cape Town, head down to Big Bay to take part in NPO CleanC’s Mandela Day Full Moon Beach Walk starting at 6:30 pm. You can take your family and pets for free too, all you have to do is show up and clean up on the way.
3. You can add a little value to a child’s life:
If you plan on heading to Big Bay for the full moon beach walk, bring along toiletries, a box of crayons or books to fill up a DOT (Do One Thing) Box. All donations will be distributed to 1000 kids in Cape Town.
4. You can do it in your own time with friends, family or colleagues:
FoodbankSA holds food drives every year in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, but if you can’t make the 67-minute slots between 9 am – 3 pm on 18 July, why not hold a food drive at your office or home? Collect non-perishable food with your friends, family and colleagues over the weekend. For more information, contact 021 531 5670 or email [email protected]
Joburg: Nywerheid Street, Tunney Ext 7, Germiston
Cape Town: Cape Town Market, 110 Gunners Circle, Epping 1
Durban: Unit 20, Greenfields Business Park, 1451 Chris Hani Road, Redhill
5. You can donate easily, even from your phone!
Jakaranda children’s home in Pretoria is a shelter for abused and abandoned kids, housing 350 children. It’s also a home for pregnant women. For Mandela day, you can donate non-perishable food, toiletries, and cleaning equipment or you could pledge R67 via SMS on 012 800 4700 or visit jacarandachildren.co.za
6. You can finally get rid of clutter:
Spend 67 minutes cleaning out your cupboard this month and donate all those items of clothing you never wear. Rule of thumb: if you haven’t worn it in the last year, someone else will! Take them to the CHOC Charity Shop in your region. Find one near you here.
