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 honour 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 lights 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.
Hope & Hunger: Feed the Children of Promiseland
In the informal settlement of Promiseland in Palmridge, Gauteng, 47-year-old cleaner Nonkululeko “Nonny” Mda spends her weekends feeding up to 100 hungry children through her grassroots initiative, Ikhaya Lethu (Our Home). She started this mission in 2018 after witnessing the hardship children face when school meals aren’t available on weekends.
“Weekends are the hardest for children who rely on school meals. I can’t sit back and do nothing,” says Nonny. “I use my own income and rely on donations, even if it means I go without.”
Her campaign has already raised over R25,000 of its R60,000 goal, but continued support is essential to keep these children nourished every weekend.
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 organising 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 programme.
Support Amoyo by donating to their BackaBuddy campaign.
Save a Frosty Face for Mandela Day 2025
Cape Dachshund Rescue (CDR) is raising R40,000 this Mandela Day to cover one month of veterinary bills for 92 senior dachshunds in its care. Operating across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Southern Cape, the organisation runs a Frosty Face Foster programme, which matches elderly dachshunds with people between the ages of 60 and 80. Adoption fees are waived, and vet costs are fully covered, allowing for lifelong companionship without financial burden.
Each donation—especially in multiples of R67—helps ensure these senior pets continue to receive the care and love they deserve.
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.
Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.Want impact stories and top crowdfunding tips? Sign up for our newsletter and join our community!Want impact stories and top crowdfunding tips? Sign up for our newsletter and join our community!
Graham Wells, a 46-year-old resident of Pelham, Pietermaritzburg, is taking on his 7th Comrades Marathon barefoot on June 11, 2023. He’s running to raise funds for the “Run for a Roof” campaign, a cause that he has been a part of since its inception in 2021.
Pictured above: Graham Wells
This initiative, started by One Life Foundation, has raised over R40,000 to help raise awareness of homelessness in the city. Graham’s fundraising goal is R200,000, which he hopes will help the newly-formed PMB Homeless Network to provide a safe, clean, and warm environment for homeless people in the city. While this won’t be the first homeless shelter in Pietermaritzburg, it will be the first of its kind, as individuals will have access to a range of services.
For Graham, who has worked in social housing in the UK, homelessness is a cause close to his heart. He understands that homelessness is a pandemic that affects people all over the world and that it’s a crisis that needs to be addressed.
His decision to run barefoot for the Comrades Marathon is an expression of his commitment to making a difference in the lives of those who are experiencing homelessness.
Pictured above: Graham Wells
“I’m a firm believer that running medals don’t mean anything unless you have made a difference for someone else,” says Graham.
Graham’s journey will begin at 5:30 am in Pietermaritzburg and end at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban. He’ll be running to raise funds for the PMB Homeless Network on crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, to help provide shelter for the homeless. The PMB Homeless Network is a coalition of like-minded organizations that includes Msunduzi Municipality, Business Fighting Crime, local churches, charities, social service providers, activists, and volunteers from Pietermaritzburg.
Together, they are committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of people experiencing homelessness in the city.
Graham’s fundraising efforts will go towards restoring and repairing a large building that the local municipality has secured for the PMB Homeless Network. The organization aims to provide legal and social aid, educational support, job training, health services, and basic human needs to the homeless in the city. Through this initiative, they hope to create replicable models that can be expanded beyond Pietermaritzburg.
Pictured above: Graham and his hospital prayer group met Mrs Mofokeng who is fighting cancer, in her home in Underberg.
As Graham trains for his barefoot Comrades Marathon, he is reminded of the homeless people he sees every day. He understands their plight and the difficult situation they find themselves in. Graham hopes to raise awareness of this crisis and bring much-needed attention to the PMB Homeless Network’s mission. With the help of the community, they can create a safe and welcoming shelter for homeless people in Pietermaritzburg.
“I have a dream to see a safe, friendly, people-centred shelter, in Pietermaritzburg, where people of any race or background can be welcomed and empowered to make something better of themselves. By coming together to fund this project we have an opportunity to change the face of homelessness in our City and restore dignity to those society has left behind. Everyone deserves kindness and a second chance,” says Graham.
Join Graham and the PMB Homeless Network in their mission to restore dignity and provide a second chance for homeless people. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a difference. Let’s come together to make a positive change in the lives of those who need it most.
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 R320 Million.
Melkbosstrand – Marcelle Viljoen (60), a longstanding resident of the Ouskip Caravan Resort community for the past 15 years, has taken a proactive step to support families devastated by a recent fire. Viljoen has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, appealing for assistance in rebuilding the lives of those affected.
On May 15, 2023, tragedy struck when a raging fire engulfed the homes of nine permanent residents at Ouskip Caravan Resort in Melkbosstrand. The families lost everything they owned, leaving them in a state of shock and despair.
The primary objective of the campaign is to secure funds for the acquisition of vital raw materials and items, including, but not limited to, second-hand caravans, tents, awnings, electrical equipment, and household items such as beds, fridges, stoves, and gas appliances, which will help the families rebuild their lives and regain a sense of stability amidst the devastation.
VIDEO: Catherine Du Plooy from BackaBuddy speaks to Marcelle and residents affected by the fires
Since the launch of the campaign over R7000 has been raised to support the families towards their target of R100 000.
VIDEO: Catherine Du Plooy from BackaBuddy speaks to Jake, from one of the families who lost their home
The Melkbos Rotary Club has kindly taken over the management and distribution of the Backabuddy campaign funding.
The Melkbos Rotary Club is in direct contact with the Ouskip fire victims and will ensure that donors witness firsthand, how their contributions are utilized, and the direct impact they have on the lives of the affected families.
Transparency and accountability are key priorities and comprehensive records will be maintained and made available to all contributors on request.
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.
Manila, Philippines – Zelda Carlamarie Eberson (40), a single mother from South Africa, and her 17-year-old son, Jordan, find themselves in a dire situation and make a desperate plea for help to return home.
After facing a series of challenges and hardships during their stay in the Philippines, Zelda, who battles with mental illness including depression and severe anxiety, embarked on this journey three years ago with the hope of earning money online as a freelancer and providing a better life for herself and her son.
Unfortunately, their plans took a devastating turn when Zelda’s online ventures failed to generate the expected income. As a result, the family found themselves struggling to make ends meet, facing constant health issues, malnutrition, and even hospitalization due to Dengue Fever.
Adding to their troubles, they have exceeded the three-year legal limit for staying in the Philippines, making them overstayers and placing them at risk of arrest, separation, and indefinite detention in a detainee facility under alarming conditions, pending deportation.
Zelda and her son, Jordan want nothing more than to return home to South Africa
Despite Zelda’s numerous attempts to seek assistance from government offices over the past year, her pleas have gone unanswered, leaving her and her son in a state of desperation.
Their primary concern now is to return to their familiar home country, where Zelda can receive the necessary support for her mental health and Jordan can find safety and stability.
“We are living in constant fear and panic,” Zelda shares. “I can hardly afford rent and food here, let alone pay the fines and fees required for us to leave the Philippines voluntarily. We are begging for help to avoid the horrifying fate of being trapped in dangerous prisons for years, like other foreigners who have faced similar circumstances.”
To get back home to her mom, who lives in Nelspruit, Zelda has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy that has raised over R1500 so far.
Zelda has outlined a plan for utilizing any assistance received to ensure their safe return to South Africa.
The funds will be allocated as follows:
Legal Expenses: Cover fines, legal fees, and associated costs related to their current legal situation in the Philippines.
Visa Fees: Pay for the necessary visa fees required for their travel back to South Africa.
Airline Tickets: Purchase two one-way plane tickets from Manila to Johannesburg, enabling them to return home safely.
Transportation Assistance: Cover transportation costs for visits to the embassy and immigration offices in Manila, facilitating the necessary paperwork for their departure.
Accommodation: Seek affordable rental options for a room in Manila during their stay, ensuring a temporary place to reside until their departure.
Food and Essentials: Allocate funds for basic necessities, such as low-cost food items like noodles, bread, and other essential supplies, to sustain them during their stay in Manila.
Airport Transportation: Arrange transportation from the airport upon their arrival in South Africa.
Dental Treatment: Schedule a visit to a dentist in South Africa to address Jordan’s urgent dental needs, including an extraction procedure.
The plea from Zelda and Jordan is a cry for help, emphasizing their desire to avoid a bleak future in detainment and seek solace and stability back in their homeland. Their hope lies in the kindness and generosity of individuals who can lend a helping hand during their time of desperation.
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 R290 Million.
Melkbosstrand – Marcelle Viljoen, a longstanding member of the Ouskip Caravan Resort community for the past nine years, has taken a proactive step to support three families devastated by a recent fire. Viljoen has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, appealing for assistance in rebuilding the lives of those affected.
On May 15, 2023, tragedy struck when a raging fire engulfed the homes of nine permanent residents at Ouskip Caravan Resort in Melkbosstrand. The families lost everything they owned, leaving them in a state of shock and despair. Determined to make a difference, Viljoen initiated the campaign to provide the families with the necessary resources for a fresh start.
The primary objective of the campaign is to secure funds for the acquisition of vital raw materials. These materials, including second-hand caravans, tents, awnings, electrical installations, and household items such as beds, fridges, stoves, and gas appliances, will help the families rebuild their lives and regain a sense of stability amidst the devastation.
Transparency and accountability are key priorities for Viljoen and the campaign organizers. To ensure donor confidence, comprehensive financial statements and records will be made available to all contributors. This transparency will enable donors to witness firsthand how their contributions are utilized and the direct impact they have on the lives of the affected families.
Additionally, each of the three families will personally express their gratitude and acknowledgement for every donation received, highlighting the profound impact of community support during challenging times.
No donation is too small, and every contribution will be immensely appreciated. By joining forces and displaying solidarity, individuals can make a significant impact on the lives of the Ouskip Fire Victims. Together, we can help these families rebuild their homes and instil hope for a brighter future.
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 R290 Million.
Suraya Williams, founder of the Design26 Foundation, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Backabuddy to raise funds to build a community sewing skills training centre in Harmony Village, Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town. The foundation aims to empower young women in Mitchell’s Plain to become financially self-sufficient.
Williams, who is 46 years old and from Mitchell’s Plain, rediscovered her gift and passion for sewing and design after her mother’s passing on her birthday. In 2018, she founded the Design26 Foundation to provide skills, work opportunities, and a positive outlook to young women in the community.
Pictured above: Suraya Williams (Image: Fairlady Women of the future)
“The lack of job opportunities and the prevalence of drugs, alcohol, and abuse can make it difficult for young women to see a positive future,” Williams said. “The Design26 Foundation aims to break this cycle by providing training and employment opportunities to young women in our community.”
Suraya says that with youth unemployment in South Africa sitting at 43.4%, she and her team believe that providing training and employment opportunities is crucial to giving young women the tools they need to succeed.
Suraya believes that addressing the issue of youth unemployment in South Africa is critical, especially considering the high rate of 43.4%. To empower young women and equip them with the necessary skills for success, she and her team believe that offering training and employment opportunities is vital.
The foundation is seeking to raise R20 million to develop the “Hope Community Skills Centre and Manufacturing Plant” in Mitchell’s Plain. The funds will be used to purchase land from the City of Cape Town and construct a building that will house the centre and manufacturing plant. The centre will have classrooms, training facilities, and equipment for sewing and design.
To achieve their objective, Williams and the Design26 Foundation are appealing to the public to collaborate with them in creating a better future for the youth of South Africa.
One way to contribute is by donating a brick for R100 or by committing to a monthly contribution through the crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy. Donors who are comfortable being acknowledged will have their names displayed on a donor board at the new centre.
“We believe that by providing training and employment opportunities, we can give young women the tools they need to succeed,” Williams said. “Let’s make a difference together.” -says Suraya
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.
