Crafty ways to honour Mandela

This year marks 15 years since the United Nations declared 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day). Since then, millions of people have given 67 minutes of their time to make the world a better place in honour of the late great South African president. Here are some ways to give back this year.

Johannesburg

Tuesday 16 July

Bet David Progressive Synagogue is knitting 67 scarves for people in need, and would love your help in doing so. Contact: 060 527 0461 or admin1@betdavid.org

Thursday 18 July

Yad Aharon & Michael calls on volunteers to fill packets with lentils and barley which will be used to make soup for those in need in our community. Time: 09:00. Contact: jodye@yadaharon.co.za

The Harvest Project along with the United Hebrew Institute of Brakpan invites volunteers to help with much needed maintenance at the old Brakpan Shul and Jewish cemetery. Time: 11:00. Contact: 073 080 2133

The Union of Jewish Women is collecting baby grows, socks, vests, bottles of water, biscuits, and wet wipes to go into Bags for New Beginnings. To drop off these items, contact: info@ujw.co.za or 011 648 1053

Radio 702 and Primedia are calling on business leaders and corporates to join the Mentorship Boardroom campaign by giving of their time to mentor young leaders for 67 minutes on Mandela Day. Contact: https://mentoring.thementorshipboardroom.com/

Cape Town

Wednesday 17 July

Cape Jewish Seniors Association invites knitters to join their knitathon, where they will be knitting for various charities. Time: 10:15. Register: admin@cjsa.org.za

Thursday 18 July

Jewish Community Services calls on volunteers to help cook meals for the less fortunate of the community. Time: 08:00. Register: chaikitchen@jcs.org.za

Bnoth Zion WIZO is running a Donate-A-Can CANpaign for a soup kitchen in Khayelitsha. To donate, contact bnothz@ctjc.co.za

Sunday 21 July

The Mensch Network invites you to join its Mandela Day Community Cook Up. Meals will be cooked for Early Childhood Development centres in Hout Bay. Cost: R50. Time: 10:00. Register: mensch.org.za/mandeladay2024

Pretoria

Thursday 18 July

Join the residents of Jaffa Retirement Home who are aiming to knit more than 100 dolls for an orphanage in Sunnyside Pretoria. Time: 10:00. Contact: 012 346 2006