Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated around the world on the birthday of Nelson Mandela, 18 July, to honour his life and legacy. Everyone is invited to share in this celebration by giving 67 minutes of volunteerism and joining this global movement to change the world for the better.
In 2017, Elaine Jack, City Improvement District Manager, says the community of Sandton Central is again taking action to help make a difference for the better.
This year, Mandela Day is focused on having immediate impacts through #ActionAgainstPoverty, and Sandton-based businesses and their staff, visitors and local residents all joined the movement for a better South Africa and a better world by volunteering their time and resources through numerous activities to help a variety of beneficiaries.
Poverty alleviation, feeding empty tummies, skills development and employment support, caring for the most vulnerable in our society, donating blood, and contributing to animal welfare are among the initiatives to receive a boost from Sandton Central this year.
Here are some of the initiatives planned by a number of Sandton Central’s leading businesses:
1. Discovery
Bringing about suitable social change in the lives of communities, Discovery has partnered with the City of Johannesburg to host interventions which focus on increasing youth employability and supporting active and healthy lifestyles at the Skills Centre and Batho Pele Community Development Centre in Poortjie, Orange Farm.
2. Fieldspace Property Group
Mandela Day #CanHero campaign to collect thousands of cans of non-perishable food (as well as mealie meal, samp and rice) to donate to charities in and around Joburg, with the opportunity for other companies to join in, because together we can make a difference.
3. Garden Court Sandton City
Packing hampers for Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now).
4. InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers
Staff blood donation drive and helping Rise Against Hunger to pack hampers.
5. Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton City
Making everyday a Mandela Day, Classic FM, Collect-a-Can and Department of Arts and Culture in partnership with Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton City are collecting non-perishable foods in support of Iphutheng Primary School in Alexandra.
6. Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel
Linen drive with Sealed Air at Themisa Child Welfare, sponsoring and making linen and sponsoring sewing machines. Cleaning kennels at Soweto Animal Rescue and Advisory Centre (SARAC), with chemicals sponsored by Sealed Air Sealed, and donating dog food.
7. RMB
Packing hampers for Rise Against Hunger.
8. Sandton Convention Centre
Hosting and assisting Rise Against Hunger to pack hampers, creating a platform for corporates and staff volunteers to make a difference.
9. Sandton Police Station
Clean up with volunteers from Garden Court Morningside, Media Works, milliCare Floor & Textile Care, Umhlanga Cleaning Services and Firzt Reality. Volunteers are still welcome. Many hands make light work.
10. Sandton Sun
Donating linen and gym balls to different organisations. Staff volunteers visiting a charity organisation for a day and helping Rise Against Hunger to pack hampers.
11. Sun International
Partnering with Rise Against Hunger to participate in a meal packing challenge that feeds children at early childhood development centres across South Africa. The goal is to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day by packing 3 million meals in seven cities in South Africa.
12. Webber Wentzel
Partnering with Habitat for Humanity, the @6 Community Development from Orange Farm and the Nelson Mandela Foundation for staff volunteers to help build 67 houses for families in the Drieziek, Orange Farm area.
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