Every year on 18 July, millions of people across South Africa honour the memory of Nelson Mandela in the best way possible – by helping others.
Find out how our XtraSpace teams in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban spent the day.
Cape Town XtraSpace and the House of Grace
Located on a farm outside Fisantekraal, House of Grace is a place of safety for abandoned and abused children, who are sent to them by the police or Tygerberg Hospital. The home doesn’t receive any government funding – it relies purely on the goodwill of churches, businesses and individuals.
Our Cape Town team chose to spend Mandela Day by giving the kids at the House of Grace a day of fun, along with much-needed sports equipment, supplies, blankets and funds.
For the team, it was a beautiful and sometimes emotional day that none of us will forget.
Our Jo’burg team and the children at Maria Kloppers Campus
Abraham Kriel Childcare provides residential care and community services for children in need, in the greater Johannesburg area and East Rand. One of the facilities it operates is the Maria Kloppers Campus, in Observatory.
The campus includes a unit for babies, as well as four houses that each accommodate up to 10 children, ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years.
This Mandela Day, our XtraSpace Gauteng team had the privilege of visiting the campus and donating new mattresses, linen, blankets, nappies, baby products, food and toys to the children.
Everyone in the team enjoyed meeting the beautiful kids, loving house moms, kitchen staff and passionate managers, who strive to improve others’ lives without expecting anything in return.
During Mandela’s lifetime he inspired us with his words of wisdom – and in the words of our Gauteng team, we can do our bit by inspiring others to make a difference, no matter how small, in the lives of the less fortunate.
The Durban team and the St. Thomas Child and Youth Care Centre
In Durban, the St. Thomas Child and Youth Care Centre cares for approximately 60 children, between the ages of two and ten years old. Almost half the children are HIV positive and need specialised care and nutrition.
On Mandela Day, our XtraSpace team in Durban headed for the centre with food, sports equipment and other essential supplies. It was a privilege to meet the centre’s caring staff and to be able to help brighten up the lives of children in need.
Our message from XtraSpace: Make every day a Mandela day!
