Picture above: Portrait drawn by 11-year-old Earth-shaker, Romario Valentine
Every year on International Mandela Day (18th of July), we celebrate not only the birth of Tata Madiba but his 67-year commitment to social justice and servant leadership.
On this day, we come together to honor our diverse nation and respond to a global call for action, harnessing our collective power to positively shape the world around us.
What can I do on Mandela Day?
Mandela Day encourages individuals to take action and make a positive impact on their communities and the world.
Here are some things you can do on Mandela Day:
Raise funds to support your local community
Set up a campaign on South Africa’s largest crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy to raise funds and assist a person or community in need. Click here to register your cause.
Here are some ideas of things you can fundraise for on Mandela Day.
Raise funds to purchase digital food vouchers for families affected by the lockdown.
Raise funds to help restaurant staff support their families.
Raise funds to make ‘care kits’ (including a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, face cloth, etc.) for patients at a nearby government hospital.
Raise funds to feed and clothe the homeless.
Raise funds to keep the light on for a non-profit organisation.
Raise funds to help non-governmental schools pay their teachers salaries.
Raise funds to purchase children’s books for an under-resourced school.
Raise funds to support a charity on BackaBuddy
On BackaBuddy, members of the public are invited to raise funds for various charities across South Africa by setting up their own fundraising campaigns.
You can initiate or contribute to fundraising campaigns supporting medical fees, education, environmental conservation, and more.
Here are a few Mandela day crowdfunding campaigns in need of support.
Support Matthew Sledge this Mandela Day
Matthew Sledge, a 51-year-old individual residing in Kensington, Johannesburg, undertook a remarkable endeavor in support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He participated in the Mandela Day Houghton 10km run wearing nothing but a speedo, all with the aim of raising funds for the foundation. Sledge’s ultimate goal was to assist the foundation’s ongoing initiatives in education and empowerment. His unconventional approach to fundraising garnered the attention of onlookers and served as an inspiration for them to contribute to the cause. In total, Sledge managed to raise over R32,000, a significant stride towards his R50,000 target.
Support Matthew by donating to his BackaBuddy campaign.
Support Amoya this Mandela Day
Amoyo’s Mandela Day campaign aims to raise awareness about their mission of empowering children to build a better South Africa. This year, their fundraising efforts focus on purchasing solar lights for 10 matric students affected by load-shedding, and organizing a live show for their 150 beneficiaries to showcase their talents. The funds will also cover rehearsal expenses, facilitators, costumes, sound and lighting freelancers, and a nutritional feeding program.
Support Amoya by donating to their BackaBuddy campaign.
Support Staffordshire Terrier Rescue this Mandela Day
Estrela Studio aims to support Staffordshire Terrier Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating and finding loving homes for Staffordshire Terriers. Join them this Mandela Day in raising funds and spreading awareness to make a significant difference in the lives of these deserving animals. Your donation will enable Staffordshire Terrier Rescue to provide necessary care, medical attention, and rehabilitation services, transforming the lives of these dogs and contributing to a brighter future for them.
Support Staffordshire Terrier Rescue by donating to their BackaBuddy campaign.
Learn more about setting up a crowdfunding campaign here or email [email protected].
Donate to a charity or cause you’re passionate about
Looking for a crowdfunding cause to donate to on Mandela day? Visit our Featured Campaigns article for a few campaigns that have been highlighted on the Backabuddy Impact Village as well as in media publications across South Africa this week.
Volunteer your time
Visit BackaBuddy’s Facebook page, and share a crowdfunding campaign that inspires you and encourage your family and friends to make a donation.
Support the South African National Blood Service by donating blood at a centre near you.
However you decide to celebrate your 67 minutes on Mandela Day, make an effort to inspire and care for your fellow South Africans. Together we can make a world of difference. It takes a village.
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R260 Million.
Taylea duToit, a resident of Sea Point, Cape Town, launched a crowdfunding campaign to help Siyabonga “Siya” Zimoshile (44) rebuild his informal home after it was demolished by the city of Cape Town. Within 24 hours, the campaign had exceeded its target, raising R45,000 with the support of 50 donors.
Siya is a security guard at Taylea’s building, where he goes above and beyond to ensure the safety of all residents. He also maintains the gardens on his off days to provide for his family, which includes his wife and four children, the youngest of whom is only five years old.
Siya’s heroism was recently put to the test when a fire broke out in the apartment building. Siya and his fellow guards and maintenance man worked tirelessly to evacuate the building’s 14 stories, which included many children and elderly residents. Siya bravely fought the blaze until the fire department arrived, preventing further damage to property and saving lives.
Noncedo, with the children she shares with Siyabonga
A home reduced to rubble and ruin
On May 2, Siya received a devastating phone call from his wife, Noncedo (38), to say that their informal settlement in Hout Bay, where they have lived for 20 years, had been destroyed.
Siya’s family home after it was destroyed
Siya’s family was left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing when their home, along with all their possessions and stored food, was destroyed. Adding to their struggles, Siya had invested a significant amount of money to expand their home, to accommodate his growing family, only to see it reduced to rubble and ruin. With the upcoming winter, the destruction of their home has left them in a dire situation, unsure of how they will manage to get through the cold months ahead.
Taylea reached out to the online community for support, and the response to her BackaBuddycampaign was truly heartwarming. The outpouring of generosity and kindness from strangers has given Siya and his family the hope and means to rebuild their home, and to take care of themselves during the difficult times ahead. Thanks to the incredible support of the online community, Siya can now focus on what really matters – his family’s well-being.
Siya with his only daughter, Ovayo.
Siya expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from Taylea and everyone who has donated. I never expected this much kindness from strangers. This has given me hope for a better future for my family.”
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R400 Million.
As BackaBuddy, a member organization of the Africa Scotland Business Network, we were fortunate enough to be selected as one of the beneficiaries of an event held by the network.
In exchange, we were asked to assist in sourcing auction items, which can be quite challenging. However, thanks to Ria Moothilal, the owner of Air School Paragliding and a previous campaign creator, we were able to auction off a free paragliding lesson as a prize!
We are incredibly thankful to Ria for this generous donation to BackaBuddy. As a passionate paragliding enthusiast and a true South African, Ria’s dedication to raising awareness about air sports and empowering Black paragliding instructors to start their own businesses is truly inspiring. Additionally, his commitment to sustainability, education, and animal welfare-related causes is remarkable.
In the past, he cycled from Cape Town to Cairo to raise funds for cochlear implants and to inspire children from their community that anything is possible. Now, through his paragliding school, he hopes to inspire people from all backgrounds to pursue their passions and make a positive difference in society.
Through the auctioning of a tandem paragliding lesson with Air School Paragliding, Ria has demonstrated his commitment to giving back to the community. The funds raised from this donation will go towards supporting various causes on our crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy.
If you’re interested in experiencing the thrill of paragliding and would like to support Air School Paragliding in Cape Town, you can book a tandem lesson with Ria at the details below. By doing so, you’ll not only get to enjoy an exciting adventure but also contribute to the growth of a local business.
Book your session:
Call: 078 095 8136
Address: The Six Building, 6, 633 Sydney St, District Six, Cape Town, 7925
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R400 Million.
Raise funds for an individual or cause.
Register your non-profit organisation.
Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.
Pictured above: Brett Chilcott and David Klinkradt with Gavin Rossouw (Image: Action photos)
The Cape Cycle Tour is one of the most popular cycling events in South Africa, drawing cyclists from all over the world to Cape Town for a challenging and exhilarating race. But for some participants, the race is about more than just personal achievement – it’s about making a difference in the lives of others.
BackaBuddy, a South African crowdfunding platform, provides a platform for cyclists to make a difference by connecting them with charities and individuals in need. Many individuals have signed up to cycle for a charity or someone in need, using the Cape Town Cycle Tour as a platform to raise awareness and funds for various causes.
Here are a few charities on BackaBuddy participating this year:
Every donation, no matter how small, can contribute to positive change and impact the lives of those in need. By supporting the cycling campaigns on BackaBuddy, you are not only helping to fund important causes, but you are also showing your support for those who are using their passion for cycling to make a difference.
Check out one cyclist’s story, Brett Chilcott, whose life has been impacted by his participation in the cycle tour. Read more
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R390 Million.
Raise funds for an individual or cause.
Register your non-profit organisation.
Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.
As the financial year comes to a close, it’s an amazing opportunity to show your support for charities that are doing incredible work in your community. Not only will you be making a positive impact on people’s lives, but you can also benefit from a tax deduction when you donate to registered Section 18A charities.
Section 18A of the South African Income Tax Act provides a wonderful tax incentive for individuals and businesses who make donations to qualifying public benefit organizations.
Thankfully, finding vetted Section 18A charities is now easier than ever. We connect passionate individuals with fully vetted organizations that are making a real difference in various fields, including education, healthcare, youth development, animal welfare, and the environment.
Here are a few charities on BackaBuddy in need of support:
Remember, every donation counts, no matter how small. By giving to these Section 18A registered organisations you can make a real difference in your community while also benefiting from a tax deduction.
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R390 Million.
