What you can do on Mandela Day

OWN CORRESPONDENT

“We must declare that Mandela Day is not just on July 18. People must be reminded that it’s not just about doing 67 minutes of good and that we must bring about sustainable social change in the lives of our people,” says the foundation’s Selo Hatang.

So, if you are wondering how to do your bit, here are a number of options:   

Union of Jewish Women

The UJW will be handing out “Bags for New Beginnings” to moms who give birth at government hospitals and clinics on Mandela Day. The bags contain brand new baby goods, including babygros, vests, booties, beanies, blankets, nappies and cotton wool, as well as sanitary pads for the moms. Donations for the bags would be greatly appreciated.

Johannesburg: Help is required with deliveries. Phone Tana or Cindy on (011) 648-1053, or Bev on 082-574-4770.

Pretoria: Bag deliveries to Femina Hospital and to Pretoria East Hospital. Phone Ciska on 083-272-7292.

Port Elizabeth: Bag deliveries on Monday  July 17, to Dora Nginza Hospital. Phone (041) 374-3461 or Elaine on 083-233-2064.

Cape Town: Bag packing on Mandela Day, deliveries to Somerset Hospital at a later date. Phone Shelley on (021) 434-9555.

Durban: 67 minutes are spent making sandwiches for distribution to various schools, feeding schemes, organisations and safe houses. Phone Evelyn (031) 335-4457 or Sue on 083-777-8035.

East London: running a dental health programme at Cranberry Primary School, Grade 0 and grade 1 learners will be given toothbrushes, toothpaste and a healthy snack. Phone Michelle 083-225-7444.

Pam Green – Second Chances

July 16, 14:00 – 16:30. BeYouTiful Dry Bar – 23 7th Ave, Parktown North.

On Sunday, July 16, Second Chances will be collecting donations of second-hand clothing, shoes, toys, household items, and furniture. The organisation will then spend 67 minutes sorting through the donations into sellable men’s, women’s, and children’s piles.

Help with the sorting of these items would be greatly appreciated. Items collected are handed over to unemployed people to sell in their communites, creating jobs for them.

Things to bring:

1. Second-hand clothing, shoes, toys, household items, and/or furniture.

2. R20 donation.

For more info on the project, visit: http://secondchances.org.za/cause/twice-as-new/

CAP/Angel Network

Tuesday July 18, 09:00 – 16:00 at Norwood Mall.

CAP and the Angel Network and anyone who wants to help them, will be collecting non-perishable food items and packaging hampers for the less-fortunate.

Impilo in partnership with Love Teddy

Tuesday July 18, 08:00 – 16:00, 20 Leigh Avenue, Fairview Ext.

They will be making Love Teddy bracelets this Mandela Day. Anyone is welcome to join in. All proceeds will go directly to Impilo to help improve the lives of their children and families. People are invited to bring a bag of nappies, Nan 1, 2 or AR or refer to their wish list to see what is urgently required.

Examples from the wish list: Nappies, Nan 1, 2, AR, Nestum Cereal, Baby Aqueous Cream, Baby soap, Baby Panado, Creche Guard multivitamins, Washing powder, Fabric softner, Black bags.

Any donations are welcome in support of our monthly expenses.

Contact (011) 640-1343 for more information.

Afrika Tikkun

Afrika Tikkun’s five Centres of Excellence in Johannesburg and Cape Town: Alexandra, Diepsloot, Orange Farm, inner-city Johannesburg and Mfuleni in the Cape, have special projects in which all people are welcome to participate.

Corporates and volunteers are doing different activities with children of all ages and stages of development – from storytelling, to quizzing or sporting, to job shadowing young adults.

Activities include: creative cooking in any of our kitchens, painting walls and inspirational murals, read-a-thons, spelling bees, building a jungle gym and play areas, vegetable gardening, giving motivational talks to job seekers (such as how to brand yourself); and job shadowing.

Those with a passion for persons with disability are joining in to paint houses purple as part of an advocacy campaign to raise awareness about disability.

Individuals and companies who feel they have something of worth to share with young people – from the youngest to those on the verge of adulthood – are invited to contact Taina at Afrika Tikkun at (011) 325-5914.

Travelstart

Travelstart’s Mandela Day initiative is about filling 27 suitcases and sending them across South Africa to 27 charities in dire need of clothing, foodstuffs, toiletries and lots more.

Drop-off wish list: Warm clothing, blankets, pet food, non-perishable foods (rice, canned food etc…), toiletries (soap, sanitary pads etc…), reading books for children, stationery, baby supplies (nappies, baby powder, wet wipes), baby toys.

Travelstart office address (drop-off location): Travelstart South Africa, Longkloof Studios, Block B, Darters Road, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001.

Read more: https://www.travelstart.co.za/blog/mandela-day-27-suitcases-2017/#ixzz4m3kt0OMS

Mandela Day yoga

Stretch, strengthen and relax, while supporting a great cause at the Mandela Day yoga session at Constitution Hill. Contact information: (072) 835-2525.

What is it? Yogis are invited to get together and work through 27 yoga poses to honour Nelson Mandela. The yoga session is R100 per person and you can choose to sponsor a local Lefika child for R50.

Should you wish to go on a guided tour of the venue (Walk with Madiba), it is an additional R100. You can also make a donation by taking any clothes, toys, books, blankets, cans of food, etc. Proceeds of the event will be shared with Lefika la Phodiso: The Art Therapy Centre.

When is it? Saturday, July 15 09:30 – 11:30.

Where is it: Freedom Square at Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

Tickets available at Webticket.

For more information about the event, contact Steven on 072-835-2525 or visit www.yogaworks.co.za.

Mental health fun walk for Mandela Day

Tara Hospital and the community, will take part in a 6,7 km walk to commemorate the International Nelson Mandela Day. The money raised through the fun walk will be presented to a selected non-profit organisation. This is a great way to spend your 67 minutes.

When is it? Tuesday, July 18  from 08:00.

Where is it? The walk will commence from Tara Hospital gate on Argyle Avenue and will finish at the Tara main gate on Saxon Road, Sandhurst, Sandton, Johannesburg.

How much is it? Tickets cost R35 per person and are available at