Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing means we need to do our 67 minutes for Mandela Day a little differently this year. At the start of lockdown, when it was clear what the impact would be on vulnerable South Africans, we committed to feeding as many people in need as possible. We’ve managed to donate 54 000 meals. The food donated to date has fed thousands of people through various feeding schemes and charity organisations across the country. If you want to help make a contribution this year but have no idea how to go about it during this global pandemic, we have 4 easy ways for you to do your bit:
1. Help feed families in need through donations
To respond to the increased levels of food insecurity as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Imbumba Foundation, and Kolisi Foundation have partnered on an initiative called #Each1Feed1. This year, the foundations intend to raise R500,000 to provide 10,000 families with food parcels over a period of three months. You can donate here.
2. Join a virtual quiz to support children and teenagers with cancer
Support the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa by participating in their virtual quiz which will take place at 7 pm on Saturday. An R67 donation fee will guarantee your spot and will help support children and teenagers living with cancer.
3. Join a virtual 67km run or cycle for the NMCF
The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF) is calling on South Africans and individuals around the globe to join them in raising funds for the NMCF by completing a virtual 67km any way you choose, in your own time, virtually. Registration starts at R250 and participants who complete the race will receive a finisher’s medal and be allowed to purchase race merchandise through the platform.
4. Lend a paw for our four-legged friends
You can help the many animal shelters that have had to cancel their traditional fundraising events. Aid 4 Animals in Distress is hosting an online prize draw that allows everyone to give back in the form of some much-needed funding and potentially win some great prizes. Here’s how it works: you can choose from six grids that spell out “Nelson”, each grid has a different price per square and the prize value increases with each grid.
We have always had strong relationships with multiple charity organisations in South Africa. But when lockdown happened it became clear that the need was going to be that much greater and that we needed to do more.
We initially wanted to set a target of providing 67 000 meals in time for Mandela Day, but we know that people will be going hungry far beyond the 18th of July, so we are committed to continuing with the donations and will strive to feed as many as we can during this difficult time.
#MandelaDay2020 has said that “On a scale never seen before, individuals and groups are finding ways to help those in need of support.”
Communities across the world are affected by the spread of Covid-19, which has hit every economy, causing new social and economic challenges and exacerbating old ones. We call on you to be an active citizen in your community, individually or as part of one of the millions of groups getting together to start initiatives around delivering food parcels, making masks and protective gear, teaching online or making donations towards these efforts.
Mandela Day is an annual initiative that takes place on Nelson Mandela’s birthday (18 July). It is known as 67 minutes for Mandela Day and was started by Madiba himself to encourage people around the world into active citizenship. Individuals, schools, businesses and more are encouraged to devote 67 minutes on 18 July to giving back and helping those in need. The 67-minutes equates to one minute for every year Mandela served South Africa.
Our products are ideal for a wide range of charity organisations because they are versatile, easy to use, 100% vegan friendly (many are halaal and kosher too).