Amidst the petrol and tariff increases, protests, hardships, horror stories and personal differences, Mandela Day allows us to come together for a common cause that brings hope and happiness to the less fortunate amongst us.

We may all have experienced hunger, thirst or the freezing cold for several hours but can overcome that eventually because we have the ability and means to do so. There are many people however who experience this for days and weeks on end due to unemployment or poverty.

Make a difference to someone on Thursday 18 July 2019 as a group or individual and see the smile of appreciation as you hand over an item of clothing, food, money, or even spend time bringing love and warmth through a visit or play.

This Mandela Day the City of Joburg is taking action to inspire and make a difference amongst its communities through the different departments and entities.

Joburg City Parks and Zoo together with eNCA including various media houses and “Rise Against Hunger” an international hunger relief organisation will make an early start on Monday 15 July by packing 6700 meals for infants that will be distributed to various creches in the City.

Pupils of Muzumuhle Primary School in Diepsloot will be inspired to work and learn in refurbished classrooms that will be handed over on the Day by the Joburg Development Agency. The JDA has made a considerable effort to improve learners’ environment by painting, repairing or installing new ceilings, lighting, windows and doors as part of their contribution.

Community Development has planned a host of activities in libraries across the city including “A walk down memory lane” with the Roodepoort Museum at the Donavon McDonald retirement home. A senior curator will present an entertaining and illustrious history of Roodepoort and Dobsonville. They will also provide much needed meals at the Alexandria Heritage Site to children who attend museum education projects.

Residents of De Wetshof retirement village and Strathyre Girls home in Region F will have the opportunity of meeting the executive mayor of Johannesburg Councillor Herman Mashaba when he visits with the city’s social Development Department. They will be some pampering and interaction, food donations as well as general cleaning, painting and establishing a food garden. Similar activities will be taking place in other retirement villages, homes and orphanages in the city. Region F will also donate sanitary towels to girls in need including a donation of 15 computers to an identified school.

Isued by City of Joburg