Cape Town - It’s all hands on deck as various organisations gear up to help the most needy and vulnerable today.
Observing Nelson Mandela International Day, Gift of the Givers, Ilitha Labantu and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) have planned activities to honour former president Nelson Mandela’s legacy of service and compassion.
This year’s theme is “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity”.
Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman said that while Mandela Day is not a unique event for the humanitarian organisation, they invited trusts and individuals who want to join them today as they open further infrastructure upgrades at Eerste River Hospital, funded by Alex Forbes.
In the evening, Dr Riaad Moosa, in association with Healthcare Workers for Palestine and Gift of the Givers, will do a comedy event raising funds for the Ubuntu Bucket Campaign, providing food for a family in South Africa.
In Macassar they will deliver 400 bales of fodder for local farmers affected by the recent floods.
Details can be found on the Gift of the Givers social media pages.
Ilitha Labantu, a social service organisation that focuses on addressing violence against women and children, will focus its Mandela Day efforts on supporting survivors of gender-based violence and femicide in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements.
Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and Deputy Minister Tandi Mahambehlala will join Ilitha Labantu at the Dorothy Zihlangu Transitional House in Langa.
The transitional house offers a secure environment for women and children escaping abuse, providing essential services such as accommodation, psychosocial support and legal advice.
A facelift of the facility has been spearheaded by a team from the Department of Human Settlements, which will enhance its capacity to serve survivors and improve the quality of care and support offered.
Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siya Monakali said: “It is a vital safe haven for women and children affected by abuse, and this initiative will greatly enhance the support we can offer them.”
Sadag said it would continue to run its Suicide Crisis Toll Free Helpline in South Africa, which relies on donations from individuals.
The organisation encouraged people to create a challenge with family, friends and colleagues by forwarding their Sadag contact details, which can be found at www.sadag.org, and encouraging them to participate in the organisation’s R67 for 67 minutes initiative.
Cassey Chambers, operations director at Sadag, said community involvement was important.
“This Mandela Day, we urge everyone to take part in our R67 for 67 minutes initiative. Your support is crucial in helping us provide the vital services that so many South Africans rely on every day,” Chambers said.
Cape Argus