Nelson Mandela Day might only be in July, but using 67 minutes wisely and kindly can happen anytime. Here are 6 and 7 ways to make a difference before, on and beyond Mandela Day:
South Africa (26 June, 2023) — South Africans have proved time and time again that 67 minutes used kindly can stretch far beyond an hour, a day, or even months when it comes to positive impact. But, showing up for others for 67 minutes on one day of the year is only the door to the reason we celebrate Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July.
The Mandela Day mindset challenges one of the biggest narratives that leads people to believe they can’t be agents of change—‘I just don’t have time.’
Beyond Mandela Day lies an entire world of good we can using the same mindset: doing our part for others in less than 10% of our day as often as we can! We get to see how much impact is possible in the same time it takes to tackle a session at the gym, cook dinner or any other ‘just over an hour’ tasks we all do every day.
For Good Things Guy, Nelson Mandela Day is about the people, organisations and communities that commit to many other minutes of the clock year-round, encompass the bigger picture in the snapshot. It’s also about So, we’ve rounded up 6 and 7 simple ways for you and people you know to use that small percentage of your day wisely and kindly before, on and beyond Nelson Mandela Day:
6 Ways For Individuals to Use a Mandela Day Mindset to Make a Difference
1. If You Love Everyday Hero Stories, Embrace an ‘Everyday Hero’ Mindset
Being an everyday hero means using the power accessible to you every day, like selfless action, positive decision-making or active citizenship. Gearing up to Mandela Day, look for one space, organisation or person you interact with (or even pass by) often and think about how you can leave any of the above better than you found them; then keep showing up!
Now that we’ve got the first step down, here’s how to use that mindset:
2. If SA’s Literacy Levels Upset You, Help Them Rise!
You don’t have to be a teacher to share the skills you’ve learnt. If you’re reading this, you’re already leaps ahead of the thousands in SA who wouldn’t be able to. Organisations like the Book Village and Nal’ibali are always looking for volunteers to help young students who need extra help. Some organisations also help adults start and improve their literacy journeys!
The significant part about an act like teaching someone else how to read is that you could be laying the foundations for the next teacher or volunteer in the making—perpetuating the cycle in the best way.
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Or, contact schools in need in your area to find out if they have any programmes you can help with.
3. If You Love Feeding Your Friends and Family, Consider Strangers
There are so many good people who dedicate days, weekends and weeks to making sure others have warm meals. Whether you opt to contribute goods on a consistent basis or your time via volunteering, this is one simple way to make someone’s day less stressful because they know where their next meal is coming from.
While programmes like Ladles of Love are gearing up set a new world record in all kinds of nourishing ways this year, there are tons of organisations where you can help.
Check out our complete feeding charity list here to find an organisation near you.
4. If You Like Treats and Shopping, Support Non-Profit Companies
Non-Profit Companies extend many of their profits to people in need. Many also hire people who otherwise might not have had the work opportunity. If your time is already stretched paper thin, why not integrate doing good through things you already do, like cafe visiting or bakery hopping?
Here are some spots in Cape Town that serve treats AND communities in need.
Or, shop with places that up-skill underprivileged women like Colours of a Kind and at charity shops.
You can also help homeless people further themselves when you dedicate less than a minute to buying a heart sticker from The Secret Love Project’s sellers.
5. If You Want to Adopt But Can’t, Become a Virtual Adopter
If you have the financial means, a consistent sponsorship basis is one sure way to change a world.
To keep up your 67 minutes mindset, dedicate 67 minutes as often as you can to the child or animal you’re supporting. This could mean interaction, visits or for other creatures like elephants—raising awareness about the plights they face to people you know.
Find out more about virtual adoption options here.
6. If You Want to Become a Hero in the Most Literal Way, Become a Lifesaver
If you have time and want to learn skills that can save lives, opt to volunteer with the NSRI (the National Sea Rescue Institute), who make a difference daily and wouldn’t exist without volunteers.
You can also always make a difference by donating blood regularly or by signing up to become an organ donor. These are incredibly impactful ways to make a lasting difference if you do not have a lot of time or rands to spare.
Check Out:
- The NSRI’s Volunteer Page
- SANBS (South African National Blood Service) Donor Centres
- Organ Donor Foundation’s Registration Page
7 Ways for Groups to Make a Difference on and Beyond Mandela Day
Whether you’re part of a school, or university, work for a company, have neighbours or are always ready to rally people together, here are some ideas perfect for group efforts.
1. If You Love Mingling Moments, Make Them Community-Focused
Beach or park clean-ups are actually a great way to get to know people or bond with others. Regular acts toward the environment are the real goal here, so if you get a group going, keep on keeping on by marking a clean-up in your area on those social calendars.
You can make your own group or check out:
2. If Your Friends Are Always Active, Channel Your Energy With Others in Mind
While running, swimming, or hiking is something individuals can do to inspire crowdfunding for organisations or individuals in need, sometimes a group packs a punch!
This one will require more than a once-off 67 minutes, but that’s kind of the point. Honour your Mandela Day as the day you and a few others promised to use your active powers for good.
Pick your mission! If it doesn’t already have a cause, choose an organisation to dedicate the task to and crowdfund.
Some big events to consider are:
- The Two Oceans Marathon (Join Team SPCA!)
- SPAR Women’s Challenges
- Cape Cableway Challenge
- Oceans8 Swim
- The Comrades Marathon (Follow in footsteps of Graham Wells).
3. If You Want to See Women Win, Initiate Donation Stations Sanitary Products
To join the fight against period poverty, people who have access can make a difference for those who don’t, especially when it comes to sanitary items. If we all donated one period product every month in our communities, think of how much change could come about.
Think about institutions in your area, like underprivileged schools, and talk to them about empowering female students in this essential way beyond Nelson Mandela Day. A few people you know can even come together to sponsor a period product vending machine.
4. If You Love Clothes, Find a Way to Make the Wardrobe Bigger
Start your own thrift festival where people in your community can share clothes they no longer need, then donate these to organisations that need them.
Check out our full list here.
Or contribute to the people knitting for change. You and a few can even join groups like Random Crochet Acts of Kindness to leave a stranger crochet surprises.
5. Make Animal Shelter Visits a Consistent Hangout!
Especially if you’re part of a school; that way more young people can learn about the importance of animal care.
Find an organisation near you here.
6. If You Recycle, Encourage Others
Opt to rally for a recycling vending machine that helps the SPCA in your area. Or invest in a clothing donation box, through Show You Care which helps raise funds and collect clothing for its NPO partners.
7. Rally Good Father Figures You Know to Parent Communities
The Character Company is a non-profit organisation offering a mentorship programme for fatherless boys and encouraging men to help mentor the youth for a better future.
You can find out more about volunteering here.
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