From local business owners and sports teams to passionate families and SPCA inspectors, the Midrand community is going behind bars with a shared mission: ensuring the Midrand SPCA can continue protecting animals, preventing cruelty, and saving lives.
Midrand, South Africa (17 July 2026) – This Mandela Day, local community members, businesses, animal lovers and Midrand SPCA supporters will voluntarily spend 67 minutes ‘behind bars’ to raise funds and awareness for animals who depend on the organisation’s lifesaving work.
Taking place on Saturday, 18 July 2026 at Midrand SPCA, the 67 Minutes Behind Bars for Animals campaign brings together 25 local Champions who have committed to raising funds in support of animals affected by cruelty, neglect, abandonment and suffering.
Every day, Midrand SPCA responds to reports of animal cruelty, neglect and suffering.
Its inspectors investigate complaints, rescue animals in distress, educate pet owners and work to ensure that animals receive the care and protection they deserve. The organisation also supports animal adoptions, provides shelter and helps promote responsible pet ownership in Midrand and surrounding areas.
Midrand SPCA receives no government funding and relies almost entirely on the support of the community to continue its work.
This work is constant, often urgent and deeply practical. It requires fuel, veterinary care, food, shelter operations, inspectorate resources, education and ongoing community support.
The 67 Minutes Behind Bars campaign helps keep that work going.
Inspired by the spirit of Mandela Day and the call to make a difference through service, the campaign aims to raise R250,000 to support Midrand SPCA’s daily animal-welfare work, including cruelty investigations, rescues, education, care and responsible pet ownership initiatives.
The campaign has already raised more than R149 384, with several Champions already meeting or exceeding their fundraising targets.
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Two Dogs, One Happy Home: The De Lange Family Doubles Up on LoveMandela Day is built on the idea that every person can give 67 minutes of service to make a difference. For Midrand SPCA and its participants, spending time behind bars is standing in solidarity with animals who arrive at the SPCA after experiencing neglect, cruelty, abandonment or distress.
Every Champion who takes part, whether an animal advocate or a business owner, does so with one goal: to help Midrand SPCA continue protecting animals, preventing cruelty and saving lives.
Their commitment reminds the public that animal welfare is not only the responsibility of inspectors and shelters. It is a community effort.
A Mandela Day Call To Action
Members of the public are invited to attend the event, meet the Champions, hear their stories and support the campaign. Every donation, no matter the size, helps protect animals from cruelty and gives Midrand SPCA the resources it needs to respond where animals are vulnerable, neglected or in distress.
The event will take place at:
Midrand SPCA
Saturday, 18 July 2026
10:30am to 11:37am
by 
