Every year we pay tribute to a great man, Nelson Mandela, on his birthday. The same with this year, except that this day will be celebrated on a Sunday, but nevertheless, we will honour his life and legacy and encourage a global movement to take his life’s work into a new era and change our world for the better.

As South Africans, even though this day is commemorated worldwide, we have an urgent responsibility to take action everywhere and anywhere in making our country, and ultimately the world, a stronger environment, one step at a time, just as our late legend did.

Due to the global pandemic, most Mandela Day initiatives will be digital, allowing citizens to volunteer safely from their homes or offices. Much good can be done virtually by using skills and interests through coaching, mentoring, finance, tech support, and marketing. Every single person can help the cause online.

There is still the option of donating by purchasing much-needed products online and have them delivered to your choice of cause or charity, as well as monetary donations that can change someone’s life even bit by bit. We assume that organisations have a full calendar of ways to approach as many people as possible; however, you need to find something you’re interested in doing and participate in #MandelaDay!

Take Action, Inspire Change

Make every day Mandela Day because even amid uncertainty, there is hope. Join us in finding innovative ways to help those in need of support, as with the Each1Feed1 campaign, join a local community initiative or start your own while adhering to Covid-19 protocols, for example delivering food parcels, making masks and protective gear, teaching online, or making donations towards someone doing the similar already.

Did you know: In 2019, food insecurity affected 1,7 million households across the country? Together, with collective efforts, we can overwhelm our societies for the better. The Each1Feed1 initiative aims to bring relief to the plight of food insecurity due to the pandemic. Unfortunately, no one man can change the world, so all South Africans are called to partner and contribute to a food contribution network by donating essentials to participating retail stores.

This initiative has partnered with #KolisiFoundation, #ImbumbaFoundation, #SoapForHope, and #RiseAgainstHunger to ensure that no family fight the pandemic on empty stomachs. Even though The Nelson Mandela Foundation has kick-started the donations with R500 000, the public is invited to contribute to the initiative by donating through this link.

If you have any questions regarding the Each1Feed1 campaign, here is a list of FAQs. Alternatively, please contact Yase Godlo at each1feed1@nelsonmandela.org.

Let’s encourage everyone to provide acts of kindness within their community by supporting the above and these suggested actions. Register to download the resources, including a toolkit about everything you need to know about Nelson Mandela and Mandela Day.

Follow the news on Mandela Day here, and find inspiration to take #ActionAgainstPoverty. We hope you’re ready to be the change, Sandton!