Volunteer with Ladles of Love on Mandela Day 2026

In honour of the late president and his legacy, Ladles of Love’s Mandela Day 2026 campaign invites volunteers to support Cape Town’s vulnerable communities through hands-on work, offering a range of activities so everyone can help in their own way.

Mandela Day is on the horizon, meaning that South Africans are once again encouraged to spend (at least) 67 minutes of their day helping out those less fortunate. By volunteering with Ladles of Love, Cape Town can support the nutrition and education of over 20,000 preschool children in impoverished communities across the country.

In Cape Town, everyone can join one of four activities at the DHL Stadium that can directly contribute to these groups. Each activation zone is clearly labelled, making it easy to decide between them. Those choosing Make join the Sarmiethon sandwich-making challenge to feed those who need it, or alternatively pack nutrition boxes with groceries to help feed preschoolers. Those who prefer creative activities can instead help the Create team design and create preschool posters, flashcards, and workbooks to support early childhood learning.

Craft volunteers help make various teaching aids, including beanbags, puppets, and veggie trucks that bring lessons to life for young kids. Finally, the Grow team is tasked with building ‘Grow boxes’ that are filled with vegetable and herb seeds, supporting urban farming groups who donate food to preschools around the country.

How to attend Ladles of Love’s Mandela Day Event

This Mandela Day, Ladles of Love urges Capetonians to leave their homes and help create a better world for future generations by offering their time, money, and hands to those in need. There are various time slots open at each Activation Zone, making it easier for everyone to find time in the day to help out.

Cost: R300 per person | R200 (pensioner & student discount). Book tickets on the website.