On Mandela Day, in honour of the life of the late great President Nelson Mandela, we traditionally find a way of doing at least 67 minutes of community work, whether it’s in our own community or other more needy ones. This day is a call to action to take time to reflect on Mandela’s principles and make a personal positive impact, but it’s often hard to decide what to do. The SA Jewish Report has collated a list of incredible ways you can honour Madiba.
Johannesburg
Tuesday 18 July
Yad Aharon & Michael invites community members to pack food hampers for members of the community in need. Venue: 21 Main Street, Rouxville. Time: 09:30 to 10:37. Contact: 011 485 2076 or jodye@yadaharon.co.za
The Angel Network, in partnership with Fingertips of Africa, invites corporates and individuals to take part in its Hearts Build Homes initiative. Come help build the framework for homes that will be given to people who have lost their homes in informal settlements around Gauteng. Sponsors are welcome to donate towards stocking these homes with essential household items. Time: 09:00 to 14:00. Venue: Wanderers Stadium. Contact: Glynne 083 777 1621 or Yehuda 060 625 0828.
The Union of Jewish Women is collecting babygrows, socks, vests, bottles of water, biscuits, and wet wipes to go into Bags for New Beginnings. Drop off these items at 77 Sandler Road, Percelia. Contact: info@ujw.co.za or 011 648 1053
The Harvest Project, in partnership with the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) and the World Jewish Congress, invites you to join it at the opening of the multi-purpose Eco Communal Centre and classroom at the Harvest Centre of Education & Equality in Brakpan. This centre sits on the grounds of the old Brakpan Synagogue, and will support and feed young children from the Brakpan area. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag of maize meal to the opening. Time: 10:00. Venue: 89 Kingsway Avenue, Brakpan. Contact: theharvestp@gmail.com or charisse@sajbd.org
SA Harvest is running a drive called #UnionAgainstHunger for Mandela Day. Help it reach its goal of cooking one million meals for those in need in the month of July. You can take part by making a donation in symbolic Mandela Day denominations of R67, R670, R6 700, R67 000 or more. Donation details are available at: www.saharvest.org/mandela-day-2023/
Sunday 23 July
Hatzolah will be providing a free CPR training course in honour of Mandela Day. Everyone is welcome to attend because knowing CPR can save lives. Time: 10:00. Venue: Huddle Park, Linksfield. Contact: training@hatzolah.co.za
Cape Town
Sunday 16 July
Temple Israel Green Point invites you to join it at its sandwich-making marathon. The sandwiches made will then be delivered to shelters on the same day. Time: 14:00. Contact: wynberg@templeisrael.co.za
Tuesday 18 July
The Jacob Gitlin Library is collecting children’s books to donate to libraries, schools, and crèches in need. These books can be dropped off at 88 Hatfield Street, Gardens, Cape Town. Contact: 021 462 5088 or admin@gitlinlibrary.co.za
Highlands House welcomes you to join it in packing hand-knit clothing items, handcrafted beadwork, and toiletry care packs that will be distributed to various organisations. There will also be activities with the residents such as painting and playing cards. Time: 14:15. Venue: Highlands House Lifestyle Centre. Contact: 021 461 1100 or lifestyle@highlandshouse.co.za
Wednesday 19 July
ORT SA Cape will be hosting a free training workshop in honour of Mandela Day for people who work in early childhood development. Time: 10:00. Venue: 370B Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town. Contact: 021 448 8516 or bev@ortsacape.org.za
Sunday 23 July
The Mensch Network, supported by partners Cape SAJBD, the Joint Jewish Distribution Committee, United Jewish Campaign, The Angel Network, and the South African Urban Food and Farming Trust invites you to join in a cook-a-thon to cook meals for 4 000 people. These nutritious meals will be distributed by The Angel Network via its feeding programme to 13 kitchens across the Cape Peninsula. Time: 10:00. Venue: Gardens Community Centre. Book your spot by contacting jodi@mensch.org.za or visit www.mensch.org.za/mandeladay2023/
Pretoria
Tuesday 18 July
Join the residents of Jaffa Retirement Home who will be making toys and classroom necessities for Sunnyside Primary School. Time: 09:00. Contact: 082 468 5103.
