Giving back on Mandela Day

Colleagues from our team in South Africa joined people worldwide in giving back to their communities on Mandela Day.

On 18 July each year, people dedicate 67 minutes of their time towards serving their communities on what has become widely known as Mandela Day. Observed on Nelson Mandela’s birthday, these 67 minutes of service symbolize the 67 years the former President spent fighting for equality and human rights for all South African citizens. This time spent in service of their communities allows people to reflect on Mandela’s words: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

This year, our team marked the day by visiting St. George’s Home for Girls in Wynberg to extend a helping hand to the children under the home’s care.

St. George’s Home for Girls is a registered Child and Youth Care Centre. For the past 162 years, it has been a place where girls can feel safe and supported as they grow. It is currently the only residential care facility in the Wynberg District which provides for girls between the ages of three and 18 who have been abused, abandoned, neglected, or orphaned. The home strives to nurture the children by providing a warm, loving, and caring environment.

Karen Simpson, Managing Director of OUP Southern Africa, expressed her pride in our ongoing celebration of Mandela Day. “By answering Madiba’s call to create a positive impact in our community, we humbly and gratefully assisted the dedicated staff and children at St. George’s Home for Girls. Thanks also to our staff for their continued generosity with their time and personal donations.”

Our colleagues helped to put together party packs containing snacks, stationary kits, hand care kits, a story book, and a colouring book. These party packs, along with cupcakes, were gifted to the home. Colleagues also helped to clean the indoor premises—including vacuuming rooms that had been damaged by flooding—and donated preloved clothing and perishable food items. OUP donated a new washing machine to replace the broken one at the home.

Jarita Raga, Marketing Content Specialist, said: “It was great to hear Bonita, the secretary at St. George’s Home, express her gratitude for our contributions. It was also heart-warming to see first-hand the impact of the new washing machine, along with the food and cleaning supplies we provided.”