Latest news with #MandelaDay
Arab Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day 2025: South African Mission in the State of Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, July 29: The South African Embassy in the State of Kuwait successfully commemorated Nelson Mandela International Day on 20 July 2025 with a meaningful visit to the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) women's shelter in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area, which supports expatriate workers facing legal or employment-related challenges. Led by Ms. Busisiwe Mpungose, Acting Head of Mission, the visit was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), specifically the Human Rights and Africa Affairs Departments, and PAM, reflecting Mandela's enduring values of kindness, care, and humanity. The event honoured Nelson Mandela International Day, celebrated annually on July 18. The Embassy staff was warmly received by officials from MoFA's Human Rights Department and representatives of PAM. During the tour, Ms Mpungose and Embassy staff were briefed on intake procedures and the operational roles of the various governmental institutions supporting the shelter. The delegation observed the wide range of services provided to residents, including legal aid, healthcare, psychological counselling, and social support. PAM officials shared insightful information about the shelter's residents and responded to questions from Ms. Mpungose and Embassy staff. In a spirit of engagement and solidarity, the South African Embassy dedicated 67 minutes, in tribute to Mandela Day, to acts of positivity and social support, including interactive activities with the residents, such as arts and crafts, indoor billiards, and outdoor volleyball, all aimed at promoting unity and well-being of the residents. As part of the initiative, the Embassy generously also donated clothing items to the shelter to help meet the needs of the residents. Ms Mpungose commended the Government of the State of Kuwait for its ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and reaffirmed South Africa's dedication to advancing Mandela's legacy of service and humanity. She concluded by extending warm wishes to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and continued peace and prosperity to the State of Kuwait. Ms Mpungose and the Embassy staff expressed their sincere admiration for the shelter's resolute staff and their commitment to providing protection, care, and legal support to vulnerable women. The Mission extended heartfelt thanks to PAM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and all staff involved for their hospitality and tireless efforts in upholding the values of human dignity and compassion. History Of The Nelson Mandela International Day and the 67 Minutes Nelson Mandela International Day was officially declared by the United Nations on November 10, 2009, recognising Nelson Mandel's extraordinary contribution to peace, freedom, and human rights. The day is celebrated annually on July 18th, Mandela's birthday. This day encourages people around the world to honour Mandela's legacy by taking action to improve their communities an promote social justice. The concept of 67 minutes symbolically represents the 67 years of Nelson Mandela's life dedicated for fighting for equality, social justice and human rights. On Mandela Day, individuals are expected to spend at least 67 minutes doing something positive for others, reflecting Mandela's lifelong dedication to making the world a better place.
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Johannesburg Children's Home gives kids a safe place to grow
In the quiet suburb of Observatory, the Johannesburg Children's Home has been changing lives for 133 years. Founded in 1892, it's the city's oldest child welfare institution, offering care, safety, and support to children who need it most. The home is currently caring for 64 children between the ages of three and 21. The goal is not to keep them there long-term, but to help reunite them with their families, whenever possible. 'We're not here to institutionalise,' says Sihle Ntombela, marketing associate at the home. 'Our aim is to empower, to uplift, and eventually, to reunify.' Every part of the home plays a role in the children's care, from laundry and meals to therapy and schooling. Staff work in shifts to make sure the children are supported around the clock, and older children are encouraged to learn life skills like cooking, budgeting, and doing their own laundry. Also read: Dr Treive Nicholas revisits Xhosa tragedy in new book launch in Rosebank Donations are a big part of keeping the home running. Clothes, food, and other items are sorted carefully, with anything extra or unsuitable is sold at a thrift store in Norwood to help raise funds. The home also has a vegetable garden and even rents out its event hall to support itself. Art and music therapy are available for the children, helping them process their emotions in creative ways. Some of their artwork was sold on Mandela Day, through partnerships with local hotels, with proceeds going directly to the young artists. Though life at the home isn't always easy, it's full of warmth, care, and a strong sense of purpose. Here, children are given the tools they need to heal, grow, and move forward. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Francisco accuses DA of overstepping in Ward 108 fire aid
ANC councillor Deborah Francisco said she welcomes political activity in her ward, provided it respects protocol and her role as the elected representative. Her comments follow a dispute with DA members distributing blankets to residents in Ward 108, which she claims bypassed her authority. As part of their 25th birthday blanket donation drive on July 25, the DA set eyes on Alexandra, hoping to provide relief and support to residents who lost everything after a huge blaze gutted their houses on Mandela Day. The DA's parliamentarian, Bridget Masango, said their donation drive was disrupted when Francisco confronted the team, insisting that no one can come to her ward without telling her. Also read: DA's fire relief donation ruffles ANC councillor's feathers But, according to Francisco, the issue was about the DA respecting ward boundaries and her role as a councillor in the area. 'This is councillor Francisco's ward. It was won by the ANC. So, what I was disputing is the way the DA is working—undermining me in my ward,' she shared. 'They must ask for permission. When you get into somebody's yard, you ask for permission. You don't just get in how you like.' She said even the council speaker, a non-ANC member, had followed protocol by notifying her before distributing items to fire victims, ensuring Francisco's presence as the ward's representative. 'The speaker informed me, and I was there. Even when Johannesburg Water comes to bring projects here in the ward, they talk to the councillor first.' She emphasised that the DA should have let her know about their plans in her ward. But her views were challenged by Masango. She said she found Francisco's actions 'somewhat blind to the destitute'. Also read: City Power drives free basic electricity registration in Alexandra on Mandela Day 'I am a constituency head of the area and should not be blocked while doing political work that even the Constitution allows,' Masango shared. Francisco insisted she had no problem with other parties' political work, but it should not interfere with her governance of the ward. 'When it comes to campaigning for members, they have every right to set up tables and campaign. I have no issue with their political work, but governance belongs to me. I don't interfere with their wards,' she concluded. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Star
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Chefs with Compassion breaks record with 142 462 litres of soup for Mandela Day
In a powerful display of national compassion, Chefs with Compassion has smashed all previous records in its sixth annual Mandela Day initiative, cooking a staggering 142 462 litres of soup, enough to feed 609 848 people across South Africa. The 2025 edition of the #67000litres for Mandela Day campaign brought together culinary schools, community kitchens, corporates, chefs, and volunteers to transform surplus food into nourishment for people in need. 'This year's success has been phenomenal,' said Chef Coo Pillay, founding director of Chefs with Compassion and president of SA Chefs. 'We exceeded last year's total by almost 40 000 litres. A standout contributor was the Tsebo Group, whose nationwide involvement added over 24 000 litres to our total. Their commitment shows what's possible when an organisation truly embraces compassion.' Chefs with Compassion's 32 active hubs – community kitchens that cook with compassion year-round – contributed more than 80 000 litres, testament to their growing strength and preparedness. These unsung heroes, who serve their communities daily, were the backbone of this record-breaking effort. 'Chefs with Compassion is rooted in food rescue,' said Hanneke van Linge, founding director of CWC and founder of Nosh Food Rescue. 'Mandela Day is our most visible moment, but for the people in our network, this work never stops. Feeding over 600 000 people with food that would otherwise go to waste is not only possible, it's powerful. It's proof of what we can do when compassion drives collective action.' Corporate partners played a pivotal role, including: Tsebo Group (all kitchens countrywide, 24 000 litres) Marriott International (14 hotels) Bon Hotels, The Capital Hotel Group, Southern Sun, and Indaba Hotel Ster-Kinekor, who cooked alongside Chef Keegan Maistry at Guvon Academy Primedia Head Office and Primedia Broadcasting Essity, who cooked soup and donated sanitation supplies Premier, who donated 2 500 loaves of bread The Poultry Industry, led by Melinda Shaw via the Poultry Bulletin, which donated over 5 tonnes of chicken from Rainbow, Astral, and Country Bird Holdings, representing R67 000 worth of chicken from each of the three companies, as well as Nulaid, with a donation of 670 dozen eggs in Johannesburg and in Cape Town Turn & Slice, whose generous fresh produce donation helped stock kitchens across the country The Paul and Humile Mashatile Foundation, which contributed financially and cooked alongside Chef Moses Moloi Compass Insurance, who donated 1,000 blankets Rebel, who donated safety shoes for all 32 CWC hubs Chefs such as Moses Moloi, Napo Ramaili and Thabo Letsholo, who cooked alongside corporate sponsors
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Redpath Mining supports Kempton Park SPCA with pet food donation and volunteer activities
Redpath Mining (South Africa) (Pty) Limited marked Mandela Day by visiting the Kempton Park SPCA to donate pet food and make a monetary contribution to support the organisation's ongoing efforts. As part of the day's activities, employees engaged in animal welfare initiatives, including socialising with the animals to enhance their well-being, and walking animals housed at the kennels. ALSO READ: Gauteng SPCAs get owl boxes to boost natural rodent control The visit also included a guided tour of the kennel facilities, providing deeper insight into the SPCA's operations and the care provided to the animals.
