Mandela Day 2025: 7 Ways to Make a Difference

With Mandela Day approaching, we’ve rounded up inspiring initiatives in Cape Town that offer meaningful ways to give back. Whether it’s just for the day, or you’d like to get involved on a weekly or monthly basis, you might find that when you give a little love, it comes right back to you.

Ladles of Love

Choose a time slot for the day (from 9am – 5pm) and spend 67 minutes making sandwiches, packing food hampers, making educational crafts, posters and toys, or edible garden kits for children in need. Each activity is designed to provide care, encouragement and essential support to help vulnerable children thrive.
Cost R250
Good to know Book your slot here
Contact [email protected]
Where DHL Cape Town Stadium, Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Green Point, Cape Town

Pebbles Project

Pebbles Project supports early childhood development education and after-school clubs, plus health and nutrition, for children of farm workers in the Winelands, Cederberg and Overberg. For this year’s Mandela Day, they’re focusing on their Pebbles Health Clinic, which provides vital care for children who would otherwise not have access. Show your support by joining their 4.5km fun run/walk on Villiera Wine Farm; donate everyday essentials (children’s toothbrushes, baby blankets, body washes, etc); or make a meaningful donation (of R67, R670, R6 700 or even R67 000) towards medicines.
Cost R100 (fun run)
Good to know Sign up for the fun run here
See their full donation list here
Contact 021 865 1003, [email protected], [email protected]
Where Villiera Wine Farm, Stellenbosch

FoodForward SA

Choose a time slot for the day (9.30am, 11.30am or 1.30pm) and spend 67 minutes packing food parcels that will be distributed to NGOs across the country. This is a nationwide event that turns 67 minutes into lasting impact for vulnerable communities and adds some muscle to the fight against food insecurity and malnutrition.
Cost None (donations welcome)
Good to know Book your slot here
Contact [email protected]
Where Century City Conference Centre, Energy Lane, Century City, Cape Town

MES

Help the homeless and unemployed this Mandela Month (1 July to 2 August) by delivering a donation or lending a hand at one of the three MES Homeless Support Centres in Cape Town (in Bellville, Parow or Durbanville). Under the theme Restoring Dignity, you can get involved across five focus areas: education and literacy, food and nutrition, shelter, sanitation and active citizenship. Call or email to learn more about their Mandela Month activities and specific needs.
Cost None (donations)
Contact 021 949 8736, [email protected]

The Hope Exchange

Lend a hand to the homeless by donating basic necessities such as toiletries, cleaning products and non-perishable food to The Hope Exchange. This helps keep the project’s vital services running – from providing access to their ablution facilities where people can wash themselves and their clothing, to maintaining clean spaces and offering relief to hungry stomachs. Alternatively, you can contribute a once-off or monthly donation of R67.
Cost Donation of goods (or R67 donation)
Good to know Find out more or set up a monthly donation here
Contact 021 461 5508, [email protected]
Where 14A Roeland Street, Cape Town

SA Unite

The Hub of Hope Kitchen is in need of some TLC, and you can spend your 67 minutes putting your renovation skills to good use, whether they be for carpentry, painting, electrical or plumbing. Not handy with tools? You can still make a difference by donating the supplies needed, including cement, bricks, shelves, tables, chairs and crockery, or by offering financial support to help bring the place to life.
Cost None (donations)
Good to know Find out more here
Contact 076 8777 888, [email protected]
Where 13 Parow Street, Parow, Cape Town

67 Blankets

Spreading joy, colour, hope and warmth since 2013, you can knit or crochet 20cm squares, an entire blanket (from a baby blanket to a large adult one) or even a scarf, to donate to those who need them. You can also donate needles, hooks and wool (which can be bought online from the 67 Blankets shop), or “adopt a knitter” by funding their supplies. This Mandela Day marks the 10th anniversary of their Secret Scarves initiative, which they’ll celebrate by distributing thousands of lovingly hand-knitted scarves in secret spots nationwide.
Cost None (donations)
Good to know Find out where to join their Secret Scarves initiative here
Contact [email protected]

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