Latest news with #BucketsofNutrition
IOL News
4 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Nourishing matrics in need
Young models Angela Dere (12), Adele Mhandu (11) and Nicky Deve (9) from Durban enjoyed lending a hand at The Pavilion Mandela Day. They write personal notes to matriculants on the buckets used in the Buckets of Nutrition campaigne. In a moving display of unity and ubuntu, The Pavilion Shopping Centre once again partnered with SA Harvest to host its second Mandela Day 'Buckets of Nutrition for Matriculants' packing party. The effort aims at combating food insecurity and giving hope to pupils writing their final exams. By the end of the day, 445 care buckets were packed by volunteers from all walks of life. These were filled with nutritious non-perishable food, hygiene items, and essential school stationery and will be delivered to matriculants in rural and hard-to-reach parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Chiara Henry, SA Harvest's Procurement Manager in Durban, was moved by the support. 'It's been really great to get our corporate donors GanTrans, the Road Freight Association and the public from far and wide working side by side. Durban really showed up for these matrics and we are so grateful.' General Manager of The Pavilion Shopping Centre, Vicky Deppe, added 'We are honoured to open our space to initiatives that create real impact and were warmed by the response of our shoppers, tenants and service providers. Mandela Day is more than a moment - it's a movement of hope, and we're proud to support our youth in such a meaningful way.' Volunteers expressed heartfelt motivation for their participation. Reva Johnston, a retired teacher, said: 'The theme this year resonates deeply. It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity. This is exactly what these learners need.' Model and mentor Christina Maloka brought her young mentees to pack, 'Mandela Day is a powerful way to teach children the importance of giving back.' Among the youngest helpers was five-year-old Sayuri Rampath, visiting from Dubai, who was excited to support children in need during her holiday. Camryn Linderboom, a Maris Stella matriculant, said: 'I had to help. I know the struggle and we even prayed for the recipients while we packed.' Nirdosh Pillay, Executive Director at GanTrans, said: 'People underestimate the power of doing good. Our teams came every hour – not just to donate, but to lend a hand and write their messages.' Netball coach and content creator, Sarah Kanamugire summed up the mood of the day, 'Food and nutrition are essential to academic focus. This initiative directly supports our future leaders.'
The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Mandela day wraps: Food and community upliftments
Communities across South Africa marked Mandela Day 2025 with acts of generosity, with food drives and youth-focused activities. Communities across South Africa turned out in force for Mandela Day 2025, using their 67 minutes and more to fight hunger, uplift youth and spark social change. In honour of Mandela Day, staff from across the Caxton Group came together to pack dozens of grocery bags for underprivileged children in Diepsloot, as part of an initiative led by Spark Media in partnership with the community-focused organisation, Simple Sacks. Caxton Mandela Day The initiative formed part of the company's 67 minute tribute to Nelson Mandela's legacy, with employees from publications including The Citizen, Farmers Weekly, Phone Works, BMI and Hard Digital volunteering their time to assemble essential goods into simple drawstring sacks that double as schoolbags. According to the head of marketing at Spark Media, a division of CTP Caxton, Jacqui Hansen, half of the funding for the drive was donated by Spark Media, with the other half coming from Winstel Technologies. Picture: Supplied 'We don't do it for the photos. We might not even know which children get the bags. The school knows who needs help the most and they handle the distribution with dignity,' said Hansen. Hansen added that Spark Media also covered logistics costs. 'Our own distribution trucks and supervisors will be delivering the parcels to the school next week.' Picture: Supplied ALSO READ: Mandela Day: Secret scarves to be distributed in various parts of the country Government's Mandela Day efforts In Nelson Mandela Bay, Minister in the Presidency Maropene Ramokgopa joined mayor Babalwa Lobishe on July 18 to lead Mandela Day activities as part of the district development model champion role in community upliftment efforts. Concurrently, in Cape Town's Bellville, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson spent 67 minutes assisting at MES Mould Bellville Safe Space, a homeless shelter. ALSO READ: Smile Foundation's 25 years of changing lives Food, dignity, and giving in action In Cape Town and Kyalami, Ladles of Love hosted full-day youth volunteer sessions, where participants packed sandwiches, made toys for creches and assembled edible garden kits. 'Making every day a Mandela Day for small children in need is how we can honour Nelson Mandela's legacy in 2025,' said founder Danny Diliberto. At Johannesburg's Nasrec Expo Centre, FoodForward SA hosted food-packing sessions that drew hundreds of volunteers. Meanwhile, SA Harvest's Buckets of Nutrition drive ran at Melrose Arch and Pavilion Mall, with citizens donating essentials to matric pupils in need. At Menlyn Maine's Central Square in Pretoria, the Gallery of Giving, an exhibit led by 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, showcased Mandela-themed art and community-driven textile works. The Citizen is a division group of Caxton and CTP. NOW READ: 5 projects that are happening this Mandela Day
