7 ways to spend your 67 minutes this Madiba Day
Mandela Day is fast approaching, and if you haven't yet committed to a service, we have some ideas for you.
It is in your hands to make a better world for all who live in it.
Nelson Mandela's focus on humility and service lives beyond his death, which is ingrained in his legacy.
This is why, despite all the bad things surrounding us as South Africans, on 18 July, also known as Mandela Day, we are encouraged to use Mandela's life experiences to motivate us to spread that same humility and service in our communities. The day also marks the former president's birthday.
This year, East Coast Radio is building a home for Mandela Day. The team and KwaZulu-Natal are raising funds to build a house for Thembele Surprise Shangase and her family. Her home was severely damaged during the KZN floods in 2022, and they are desperate for some help.
If you have run out of ideas for what to do with your 67 minutes on Mandela Day, we're here to help:
1. Organise a clean-up drive
Organise a community clean-up, or if that's too much to ask, then make it informal. Ask family and friends to meet at a location that needs a spruce-up and make it look presentable. Ideas: beaches, parks, roadsides, residential 'dumps'. You can get the municipal waste department involved by asking them for guidance on disposing of your collected trash.
Contact eThekwini municipality
Tel: 031 311 1111
Email: [email protected]
Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm
Read more: Build a home with us this Mandela Day
2. Volunteer at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
Far too often, our animals are forgotten and shunned by communities when they can no longer afford to care for them or are abused. Let's work together to show them some love by popping over to your local SPCA, and you can donate some pre-loved pet stuff, food, or your time.
3. Children's home
Gather some of your pre-loved items and head to a children's home. Most of the time, the homes need specific things to function, so it's best to get in touch with them beforehand so you know how to help them on Mandela Day.
4. Spend some time with the seniors
Let's not forget about the seniors in our community. Like a children's home, old age homes also have a specific list of needs. Contacting them before Mandela Day can help you tailor your donation to suit their needs.
You could host a tea party, donate care packages, put on a show for the seniors, or spend one-on-one time with the residents.
5. Donate blood
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is always looking for people to come through and help where they can. If your age permits and you do not have any pertinent health conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, you can choose to donate blood as part of your 67 minutes.
Feel free to contact the SANBS if you'd like more information.
(011) 761-9000
[email protected]
6. Food donations
If you are willing and able, you can offer to the less fortunate. May was World Hunger Month, and we laid out some ideas on how you can get involved in feeding. The scheme at Food Lover's Market was the only one exclusive to May. Read more here.
7. Share your skill or passion with your community
You could host a get-together in a public space to teach a skill, share a motivational story, or share some inspiration for a project close to your heart. Remember, Mandela Day is about connecting with humility.
If you enjoy sports or art, you can gather everyone for an exercise session in the park or host an art class.
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