IMATU COMMEMORATES MANDELA DAY: 18 JULY 2024

Mandela day is an annual event named after Nelson Mandela and is designed to encourage everyone to action against poverty. The theme for 2024 is “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity”.  Nelson Mandela, in addressing the scourge of poverty, suffering and deprivation, said: “It is in your hands to make our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised”.

For many South Africans, 18 July is one of the most special and inspirational days of the year. Established in 2009, Mandela Day honours the legacy of Nelson Mandela (who spent 67 years fighting for human rights) by asking South Africans to dedicate 67 minutes to making a difference in their communities.  Mandela day was founded on the principle that we can all give a little bit of our time to have a positive effect on the life of someone else.  We can all make a difference in our community and help change the world for the better.

For young people, the day is more than a history lesson on this great leader.  It is an opportunity to learn how to be active citizens and see how even seemingly small acts of generosity can bring about meaningful change.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made for the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead”.  – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

This year, IMATU commemorates Mandela Day as follows:

City of Cape Town Region will provide a monetary donation to the Fikelela Children’s Centre. The Centre is an outreach programme of the Fikelela Aids Project, situated in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha and serves the area of the Western Cape Province.

Western Cape Region will contribute to Rusthof Old Age Home and Perel Paardeberg Old Age Home in Paarl by providing groceries, toiletries and blankets.

eThekwini Region identified the Vukuzenzele Child Care Centre in the Ezimbokodwani rural area to provide much needed dry food items, educational books, warm winter clothing and shoes for the children, blankets, toys and other supplies.

KwaZulu-Natal Region, as the winning non-Metro Region of the 2023 Regional recruitment competition, will utilise their prize to strengthen their Mandela Day initiative this year.  As a result, the Region is able to support a second organisation in need.  They will visit Sinokhuthula Child Care Centre in the Ugu area and deliver goods, foods, cooking utensils, children’s blankets, toys and other items. The second organisation is the Home of Comfort in Kokstad, where they will deliver blankets, comforters, and toiletry hampers for the children.  Lunch will also be provided at both organisations to the Teachers and children. 

Gauteng Region will be making a monetary donation to A Re Ageng Social Services, a home for abused women and children in Rand West.

In the Free State Region, the Mangaung Branch will visit the Yeshua ECD in Dewetsdorp and deliver much needed mattresses, educational toys, swings and paint.

Tshwane Region will support the Tshwaraleng House situated in the Nellmapius settlement in Mamelodi, which is a safehouse for orphans which provides meals and homework assistance to the children. Food, blankets and other supplies will be delivered.

Eastern Cape Region will deliver groceries to Sinako We Can, School for Autistic Children situated in Gqeberha.

Johannesburg  and Mpumalanga Regions will donate food to Boikemesetso Child & Youth Care in the Delmas area and Baby Moses Sanctuary and Lil Choices in Johannesburg.

National Office will be handing over 300 Primary school classroom chairs to the Kaalfontein Primary School situated in the Midrand area.

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VIVA IMATU VIVA!!!!!!