Ford employees lovingly gave their time, care, and creativity to handcraft teddy bears for patients at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, making sure each brave child fighting a tough health battle received a personal gift wrapped in love.
Pretoria, South Africa (15 September 2026) – We may grow with the passing years, but the comfort and joy a soft teddy bear brings to a child remains timeless.
With this simple truth in mind and a desire to support the little ones fighting their biggest battles at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH), the team at Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria crafted 300 bears, while their colleagues at the Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha created another 50 to gift these brave young warriors.
Every single bear was lovingly stitched, dressed, and personalised by an employee. Before being sealed up, each bear also received a tiny heart tucked inside, complete with a kiss and a special wish for its new companion!
The heartfelt mission marked the conclusion of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s 2026 Mandela Bear Magic initiative. In total, 350 handcrafted bears, along with handwritten messages of encouragement by the employees, were delivered to bring smiles and comfort to the children at NMCH.
Employees and leaders at both plants dedicated 67 minutes to making the bears on 28 July, reflecting the 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted to public service. Volunteers were nominated by their skill team leads, giving employees across both manufacturing sites an opportunity to take part in a shared act of service.
“Mandela Bear Magic was created by our employees, and that is what makes today so meaningful,” says Neale Hill, Ford Motor Company Africa Operations president.
“Our teams gave their time, care and creativity to make each bear personal. Their messages of encouragement carry the spirit in which the bears were made, from our plant floors to children and families at NMCH.”
The handover forms part of Ford South Africa’s broader commitment to the communities in which it operates and builds on its relationship with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund family of institutions. The initiative brings Mandela’s legacy of service to life through the direct participation of employees, extending their contribution beyond the factory gate.
“Giving back is most powerful when people take ownership of it,” Hill adds.
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“Each bear represents an individual act of kindness from an employee at Silverton or Struandale. We are proud of the way our teams embraced the initiative and of the opportunity to stand alongside NMCH in supporting South Africa’s children.”
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Sources: Ford
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