Each year Mandela Day comes around to remind us of the legacy left behind by the legend who brought our country together and cared about every South African equally no matter their circumstances, and to celebrate his life by volunteering to help out in our community in some way. If you’re thinking of ways to honour this altruistic tradition of spending at least 67 minutes giving back, we have a few suggestions that are not only charitable but also fun and unique.
1. Make EcoBricks
Adidas will be bringing their staff, athletes and friends of the brand together to spend their Mandela Day making EcoBricks in service of the Ecobrock Exchange company and the local community for 67 minutes. This is also in recognition of Plastic-Free July.
The Ecobricks made will be used to build sports field benches and support local primary schools in need of infrastructure.
2. Do Cat Yoga
Book your space for a stretching and strengthening class alongside friendly felines at The Lucky Lucy Foundation.
You can do so by putting a donation towards the foundation in aid of the beautiful rescue cats onsite; your space is booked with your proof of donation.
The yoga sessions are hosted by the Flowing Nomads School of Yoga and the absolutely amazing yoga instructor Stacey Veronica Clifton, who will be guiding attendees through gentle flow sequences.
Bring a loved one along or just come through on your own and make some purrfect furry friends; either way, you’re sure to feel the love at these classes. The Lucky Lucy Foundation currently has 328 cats in their care. Every donation helps them make sure the cats receive the best care possible, so while you’re enjoying yourself you will also be helping the foundation raise much-needed funds for precious rescue kitties.
Bookings can be made and confirmed by emailing your proof of payment to [email protected].
Donations can be made to:
The Lucky Lucy Foundation
Standard Bank
Account nr : 410514039
Branch Code 023910, Cape Gate
Swift Code SBZAZAJJ
Ref: YOGA/YOUR NAME
Date: Saturday July 20 2019
Venue: N7 Lucky Lucy Farm Portion 17 Farm No. 28 Klipvlei Malmesbury, Western Cape
Time: 10.30am
3. Cycle against crime
Well-known local cycling club the Pedal Power Association (PPA) will be hosting a cycling event with a difference this Mandela Day.
Cyclists can take to their bikes along with other like-minded cyclists for the memorial ride, and pedal to take a stand against crime.
PPA organised this event to shine a light on the spate of bike hijackings and robberies on Cape Town’s roads and cycle paths – especially the cycle path running from the West Coast to Cape Town as well as routes out to Kommetjie and around Stellenbosch – and the issue of the general lack of safety cyclists experience.
The ride will start from the Green Point Urban Park parking area at 11.30am and will follow the various cycle paths along Somerset Road to Adderley Street and Government Avenue to the Houses of Parliament, where a letter stating PPA’s grievances will be delivered to Premier of the Western Cape Mr Alan Winde, Transport Western Cape MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela, Traffic Chief Kenny Africa, and a representative of SAPS.
There will be marshals in place during the ride but no road closures and all cyclists participating are expected to obey all traffic rules and wear helmets. Please wear your ‘Stay Wider of the Rider’ cycling jersey if you have one.
Date: Thursday July 18 2019
Venue: Green Point Urban Park parking area
Time: Starting 11.30am
4. Build a Kennel
This year, the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha will be hosting its sixth annual Kennel Building event in honour of Mandela Day.
To cater for both the public and work groups, two events will be hosted. A public kennel building day will take place on Saturday July 20 and a corporate kennel building day on Thursday July 18.
Both events will take place from 10am to 2pm at the Mdzananda clinic. You can arrive any time between opening hours but ensure to give yourself enough time to build.
Last year, 35 kennels were constructed using donated, dismantled wooden pallets. Completed kennels were handed out to community pets in need of shelter.
Wood and instruction manuals of how to build a kennel will be provided on the day. Participants need to bring a measuring tape, pencil, hammer, and paintbrush per person. Any extra nails, varnish, paint, handsaws, or something to make the kennels pretty will also be welcomed.
It costs R100 per person to take part and space is limited to 120 people per event. Booking is essential. Tickets for the public event can be bought on Quicket at www.qkt.io/kennelbuild2019 and bookings for the corporate event can be made by emailing [email protected].
Date: Corporate building day, July 18 and public building day, July 20 2019
Venue: Mdzananda Animal Clinic, 21297 Govan Mbeki Road, Mandela Park, Khayelitsha.
Time: 10am to 2pm
5. Serve up some soup
This is a great way to make a difference! Ladles of Love need volunteers to help make over 2 000 litres of wholesome soup for the thousands of homeless and hungry people in Cape Town.
How? Simply book a 67-minute time slot and select your task on Quicket, for Thursday July 18. Volunteering costs R100, which goes towards Ladles of Love feeding initiatives – R100 feeds 50 people one meal each.
The harsh winter impacts the homeless in the most brutal way and Ladles of Love, a local NPO, is doing an incredible job of serving thousands of hungry people meals every week. Locals looking to donate clothes for those living on the streets can also do so at Doppio Zero on St Georges Mall.
By volunteering for the Ladles of Love’s project, Mandela Day and Beyond, you not only feed and clothe people in need, but you assist in sustainably feeding homeless people and school children all year round.
Date: Thursday July 18 2019
Venue: Pier Place Square, Foreshore
Time: Choose yours here
6. Drop off your recyclables
A group of B-Tech Public Relations students from CPUT have teamed up with Oasis Association to run a campaign in conjunction with Kenwyn Primary School titled Get Up, Clean Up, Recycle.
The campaign kicked off before school broke for holidays with a skit presented to the learners of Kenwyn Primary School about the importance of recycling and to inform them about the recycling drive leading up to Mandela Day where all the recycled items collected (i.e. paper, plastic, glass, books, toys, electronics) will be handed over to the Oasis Association.
The public are encouraged as part of your 67 minutes to get involved for Mandela Day on July 18 2019 and drop off your recycled goods along with your preloved items at Kenwyn Primary School between 7am and 8.30pm where all items will get sorted for the Oasis Association.
Date: ThursdayJuly 18 2019
Venue: Kenwyn Primary School
Time: From 7am to 8.30pm
Pictures: Facebook
