How will you be donating your 67 minutes this Mandela Day?
Whether it’s preparing food, cleaning up the ocean, looking after pets, or doing whatever you can to support your community, there are so many ways to volunteer your time, skills, and effort in the Mother City. Show up, work together, and give back to those who need it; not just on Madiba Day, but every day.
Those unsure how to spend their time this Mandela Day can use this guide to find worthy causes in need of help and support. If you’d prefer to donate cash, please note that each of the superb organisations below also urgently needs funds.
Ladles of Love
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.
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.
When: 18 July 2026 | 9am – 10.30am | 11am – 12.30pm | 1pm – 2.30pm | 3pm – 4.30pm
Where: DHL Stadium, Green Point, Cape Town
Two Ocean’s Aquarium Trash Bash
The Trash Bash is an initiative dedicated to tackling plastic pollution and raising awareness of its harmful effects on marine ecosystems. By rolling up their sleeves and participating, volunteers make a real difference for the environment while enjoying a morning at the beach.
Beach cleanups are an important way to draw people together to remove pollution from marine environments and raise awareness about conservation. As an added incentive, the Aquarium Foundation is donating a children’s educational book for everyone who joins for 67 minutes. Attendees are encouraged to bring along a bucket, drinking water, a hat, and any friends and family who want to make a difference.
The Trash Bash is completely free to join. For more details, follow the Two Oceans Aquarium’s Facebook page or contact Heather Wares, Communications Manager, at [email protected].
When: 18 July 2026 | 9am – 11am
Where: Monwabisi Beach, Khayelitsha (18 July)
More About Trash Bash
TEARS
Give stray cats and dogs some love and attention at TEARS this Mandela Day. TEARS believes that no pet should go hungry, and this programme subsidises pet food so that families struggling financially can feed their pets and keep them at home.
TEARS is always looking for volunteers, whether that’s walking dogs, fostering pets, or just spending quality time with furry friends at their kennels or cattery. On Mandela Day, people can sign up to help give the kennels and cattery a fresh coat of paint, assist with cleaning the cattery as it prepares to move to a new location, or plant new flowers and shrubs for the little friends to frolick in. Sign up to volunteer here.
Those who cannot make it to TEARS on the day can still help by donating to help feed hungry pets. Donations can be made here.
Mandela Day Langtafel
From the same team that organises Bree Street Sundays, this Mandela Day, everyone is invited to enjoy the same meal on the same table on the same street, together. Everyone gets free bread, while those who cannot afford food are provided with meals. Others can buy the themed dish from participating local restaurants or bring their own food to the communal table.
Everyone who can donate can help feed up to 500 people, support a Community Chest charity partner, or provide warm blankets for others on the day.
The usual Bree Street Sunday features can be expected: public spaces for families, walking and cycling, and a community atmosphere that brings all parts of Cape Town together.
When: Saturday, 18 July 2026 | 12pm – 5pm
Where: Bree Street, Cape Town City Centre
Salesian Institute Youth Projects
Join the Salesian Institute Youth Projects this Mandela Day as a hearty soup for the less fortunate this winter – with a little help from the famous chef and personality Jenny Morris, who leads the experience again in 2026. Volunteers are asked to bring a knife and chopping board, a bag of vegetables, any non-perishable dry goods, and pet food.
All proceeds from the event are distributed to the Salesian Institute, a movement started in 1859 in Italy that supports disadvantaged youth. The Cape Town chapter, which opened in 1896, serves over 1,400 young people each year, offering a range of skills-training initiatives in everything from stitching to the maritime industry.
With youth unemployment at just under 60%, the Salesian Institute’s work is vital in caring for underprivileged young people in Cape Town and providing them with a platform for a better tomorrow. More information can be found here.
When: Friday, 17 July 2026 | 10am – 2.30pm
Where: 2 Somerset Rd, Green Point, Cape Town
67 Steps of Colour for Valkenberg Hospital
Friends of Valkenberg Trust is hosting a 5km colour run, and everyone is invited, whether running, jogging, or walking. In support of Valkenberg Hospital’s patients, the run supports inclusion and mental health awareness, and proceeds directly fund the Trust’s various initiatives.
As part of Mandela Week, Valkenberg is collecting donations of non-perishable food items, clothing, blankets, toiletries, and any essential items for patients in need. Anyone who cannot participate in the run can also donate money directly to the cause.
Cost: R120 per adult | R90 per child. To register, email [email protected], or call either
021 447 2092 or 082 822 8990 (9am – 1pm only)
When: Saturday, 18 July 2026, from 9am (run) | 13 – 17 July 2026, 9am – 2pm (donations & race pack collection).
Where: Friends of Valkenberg Trust Office (Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital), 1 Observatory Road, Observatory, Cape Town
Secret Sunrise: Party for a Good Cause
Known for hosting silent disco parties, Secret Sunrise is bringing 7 cities from across the globe together to dance and Madiba Jive for a good cause on Mandela Day. The experience is in collaboration with the Roxy Davis Foundation, which educates and connects people with the ocean, particularly those who would not otherwise be able to, such as people in wheelchairs. Their focus is on providing ocean-based health and wellness experiences, including their flagship Surf Therapy work.
All bodies and all ages are welcome to join the party, as everyone is given wireless headphones and guided on an experience of dancing, play, and meditation while dressed in African-print clothing (or any South African-inspired get-up).
There are two events on Mandela Day: in the city, everyone is encouraged to bring along clothes, blankets, and non-perishable goods for their winter warmer drive. The second is a beach cleanup, guided by the rhythmic grooves in the headphones, from Kommetjie to Noordhoek Beach for a 5km walk to restore the peninsula’s coastline to its natural state.
Cost: R200 per adult | R70 per child. Tickets for the Winter Warmer (Tamboerskloof) and the Beach Cleanup (Kommetjie) are available on Quicket.
When: Saturday, 18 July 2026 | 9.30am – 11.30am (winter warmer) | 8am – 9.30am (beach cleanup)
Where: Van Holten Hall (The German School), 28 Bay View, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town | Imhoff Farm (Grass Outside Blue Water Cafe), Kommetjie Rd, Kommetjie, Cape Town
FoodForward SA Mandela
The FoodForward SA Mandela Day brings thousands of corporates, schools, clubs, families, and individuals together to spend their 67 minutes sorting and packing essential food groceries, which will then be delivered to those who are food insecure across the Mother City.
Volunteers can choose from various time slots and support Food Forward SA’s mission to champion food security. More information can be found on the website.
Cost: R67 per person. Book on Webtickets.
When: 17 July 2026 | Time slots: 9.30am & 11.30am
Where: Century City Conference Centre, 4 Energy Lane, Century City, Cape Town
Gift of the Givers
The largest African disaster-response NGO, Gift of the Givers, runs many humanitarian initiatives to help underprivileged communities get through difficult circumstances, whether that’s aid for hungry kids in Sudan or shelter for citizens and refugees who have lost their homes due to floods and service-delivery failures.
Gift of the Givers does not have a specific volunteering programme for Mandela Day. However, those who want to help can donate any amount to their various funds through several channels and earmark exactly which initiative they want to support. Learn more on their website.
SANCCOB
Lend your assistance to SANCCOB for the rehabilitation and release of ill, injured, abandoned and oiled seabirds off the Western Cape’s coast.
On Mandela Day, volunteers can visit the SANCCOB headquarters to meet the team, learn about their programmes, have an induction tour of the centre, and find out how they can make a difference. Whether it’s in marketing and media, centre maintenance, driving and collecting seabirds, physical rehabilitation, or simply education, there’s always a role for those who want to support seabirds at SANCCOB.
The centre needs support 365 days a year at their centres, making SANCCOB a good option for those wanting to support a good cause beyond their 67 minutes. Individuals can even adopt and name their own African penguin to help pay for its rehabilitation and eventual release into the wild.
Learn more about volunteering here and RSVP to help here.
Liesbeek River Cleaning
Help clean up a local piece of nature with Friends of Liesbeek, who work to keep the beautiful Southern Suburbs river and surrounding areas clean and free of rubbish. On Mandela Day, volunteers can spend 67 minutes at their wetland site planting indigenous species and removing weeds.
This supports the biodiversity in the city by removing invasive plant species and promoting growth, while creating safer habitats for wildlife and improving the Liesbeek River’s ability to manage flood risk – something which has been a big concern this winter. Everyone is encouraged to bring water, a hat, sunscreen, gloves, boots or shoes that can get wet, and any hand tools.
Volunteers can sign up to participate in the clean-up here.
When: Saturday, 18 July 2026 | 9am – 1pm
Where: Opposite the Wild Fig Restaurant, 1 Liesbeek Ave, Observatory, Cape Town
Just Grace
An NPO operating in Langa with a wide range of community-based programmes aiming to reduce poverty, improve quality education, and grow equal opportunities, Just Grace is committed to making meaningful change in its community.
There is a need for volunteer work across the organisation, whether it’s helping with social media, computer training, hosting art classes, coaching sports, or helping with admin and operations. More information is available on the website.
Just Grace is working with Crue Invest and Pinelands Athletic Club to host a fundraising 5km and 10km fun run, with proceeds contributing to practical training for four unemployed young people in Langa. Learn more about donating and participating in the race on 26 July on the website.
Greenpop
Volunteers can help Greenpop, an initiative focused on delivering tangible environmental impact through urban greening and landscape restoration, plant new trees at its Eco-Hub. It’s a great opportunity for individuals who want to make a difference, meet new people, and get their hands dirty. Find more information here and RSVP online.
When: 18 July 2026 | 9am – 1pm
Where: Greenpop Eco Education Hub, opposite 107 Mountain Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town
Etafeni Day Care Centre
Give up some time to volunteer at Etafeni, a multi-purpose centre for children affected by AIDS and their caregivers in Nyanga.
The children at the centre need assistance with reading and playing, and the staff require assistance with the food garden, food collection, office chores, teaching the children basic English, and more – all ideas are welcome. See their volunteer page for more info.
Soil for Life
Get your hands dirty at Soil for Life, an organisation helping communities start and maintain their own food gardens. Through this practice, individuals are empowered to improve their own health and well-being, support themselves and contribute to environmental awareness.
They run multi-week training programmes to teach individuals how to grow their own food, providing the necessary seeds and compost to get gardens started, and ensuring that future gardeners develop community-based networks and support systems. Their Community Gardening Projects focus on upskilling groups committed to growing food to support initiatives such as soup kitchens, child and youth care development centres, and school feeding schemes.
Volunteers are always welcome, with no gardening experience needed. Applications can be made here.
Vintage with Love
Vintage with Love accepts pre-loved clothes and accessories from people in and around Cape Town and Joburg, and re-sells them at stores in both cities. The profits then go to literacy charities, supporting the education of underprivileged children throughout the country.
This Mandela Day, Vintage with Love is encouraging individuals to spend 67 minutes clearing out their cupboards and donating lightly worn clothes at one of its drop-off points throughout the Mother City. They are also encouraged to browse their catalogue, buy something, or donate money directly to the organisation. More information is available on the website.
Paedspal
A non-profit focusing on palliative care for children with incurable illnesses, Paedspal, supports families in times of need, empowers healthcare practitioners to provide holistic care to patients, and advocates for the introduction of palliative care into the South African healthcare system.
While they don’t have a specific Mandela Day campaign in 2026, people are encouraged to donate funds to ensure the sustainability of their programmes for the children and families they serve every day. Donations can be made via the website.
Nazareth House Cape Town
Nazareth House is part of a system of care homes for elderly people, with the Vredehoek location in Cape Town offering gorgeous views of Table Mountain. For Mandela Day, volunteers can help in cooking and serving alongside the kitchen team, providing a meal to vulnerable members of the community. By doing so, they support Nazareth House’s mission to provide housing and support for the elderly while working in a warm, homely environment.
More information is available on the website, and volunteers can register their interest in helping here.
English and French Bulldog Rescue SA
This Mandela Day, the team at English and French Bulldog Rescue SA are hosting a variety day, with all proceeds going to supporting their furry friends. There is a cake sale, various food and craft stalls, fun activities for kids, and (of course) a meeting of all kinds of friendly pets – not just bulldogs!
The organisation is also seeking volunteers and donations to support their furry friends. Required donations include food, toys, bowls, building supplies, or even a gift for any of the dogs, among others.
More information can be found here.
When: Saturday, 18 July 2026 | 10am – 2pm
Where: 2 Hopedale Road, Grabouw
Ikamva Labuntu – 67 Gogos
The “Mandela Day 2025 – 67 Gogos” initiative is calling for change that endures long after the day is done. Ikamva Labantu and Relate Bracelets have partnered to create a day to raise awareness and funds to change the lives of elders in townships. Participants on Mandela Day will join a group of Ikamva Labantu’s “Gogos” (grandmothers) for 67 minutes to bead bracelets while sharing stories and memories of Nelson Mandela.
Older women in townships generally bear the brunt of poverty, and Ikamva Labantu aims to support them with nutritious meals, health screenings, and social support. This event contributes towards that goal in a meaningful way. Everyone can donate warm winter clothing, blankets, non-perishable food, toiletries, and adult diapers between 9am and 4pm on Friday, 17 July.
Volunteers register in teams.
Cost: From R267 per staff. Register on the website.
When: Friday, 17 July 2026 | Slots given after registration
Where: Ikamva Labantu (Living Legacy Centre), Buchanan Square, 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
