Various organizations are commemorating Mandela Day through investments in community programs covering healthcare, education, digital transactions, and youth job creation.
With South Africans observing Mandela Day, entities from the technology, education, financial services, and public sectors are leveraging the yearly campaign to assist communitiesportunities
Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange, is donating $40,000 (approximately R660,323) to Rachel Kolisi’s Falling Forward Foundation to support its Mandela Day Healthcare Initiative, implemented in collaboration with The Impilo Project. The Impilo Project provides complimentary primary healthcare to disadvantaged African communities through organized community health days, home-to-home screenings conducted by skilled community health workers, and advanced medical technology. It actively extends dental, medical, and mental health services to local residents.
This donation finalizes the outstanding funding required for this year’s Community Health Day, allowing 670 individuals to receive comprehensive healthcare services, such as medical, dental, mental health, and social assistance.
Kolisi, who founded the Falling Forward Foundation, stated that the collaboration highlights the importance of working together. “One thing I have learnt is that we can never create lasting impact alone. Binance stepping in to bridge this gap is a powerful reminder of what is possible when purpose and generosity come together.”
Larry Cooke, Binance’s head of legal, further commented: “Mandela Day is a reminder that service doesn’t have to be complicated; it just has to be consistent.”
In parallel, payment service provider Payfast indicated that digital payment technology assists non-profit organizations in boosting fundraising efforts and enhancing their long-termn active Payfast Cause accounts, with transactions rising by 18%, which signifies increasing backing for charities utilizing digital payment methods
“Financial services and payment processing are a high-impact variable when it comes to supporting organisations and creating lasting, widespread change,” stated Mpho Sadiki, MD of Merchant Services for Africa at Payfast and Network International.
Ladles of Love stands as one organization that benefits from the platform, having utilized Payfast since 2018 for accepting online contributions. This Cape Town-based charity currently provides nearly 1 million meals monthly, concurrently aiding food entrepreneurs
Building on last year’s Coding 4 Mandela program, which engaged over 50,000 South African students, the initiative has transformed into Coding 4 Africa, a continent-spanning program scheduled from July 18 to August 18. Developed from research conducted at Nelson Mandela University’s Department of Computing Sciences, the program employs practical games and classroom exercises to impart coding and computational thinking skills without the need for computer labs.
“At its heart, Coding 4 Africa isn’t about teaching children to code. It’s about helping them become confident problem solvers,” explained Professor Jean Greyling.
The Gauteng Department of e-Government is observing Mandela Day by undertaking a community outreach program at the Amohelang Bophelong Disability Academy located in Vanderbijlpark.
In collaboration with VumaCam, the department plans to contribute blankets, groceries, and a CCTV camera to the facility, which provides care for 50 senior residents and 50 individuals with disabilities.
“Building a better Gauteng goes beyond technology. It is also about showing compassion, supporting our communities and restoring dignity to those who need it most,” commented Bonginkosi Dhlamini, MEC for Gauteng e-Government.
Concurrently, youth advocacy group Youth Capital is utilizing Mandela Day to urge the National Treasury to boost funding for public employment initiatives, asserting that recent budget cuts have substantially limited prospects for young individuals.
“We are not asking for charity. We are asking Treasury to fund work that is already being done,” stated Buhlebethu Magwaza, project lead at Youth Capital.
