Mandela Day invokes the spirit of volunteerism

Ahmed Kathrada or ‘Uncle Kathy’, a fellow prisoner of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, was present and accompanied by members of the foundation’s Youth Leadership Programme.

Uncle Kathy shared his past experiences as a volunteer and the importance of the spirit of volunteering. “Volunteerism is what the word implies, there is no payment of any kind to any volunteer,” he said.

“Events such as the Congress of the People, where there were 3 000 delegates and 2 000 observers, were all done by volunteers.”

Ahmed then spoke about how the need for volunteers is still here and how he feels inspired by the work the youth are doing today.

Tembaleto, a volunteer and intern at the foundation, spoke of her work at the Youth Leadership Programme which runs throughout the year.

“We take in 60 young people and equip them with skills to become agents of change within their communities,” she said.

The programme focuses on deepening non-racialism and on current issues South Africa faces, such as xenophobia.

Rakshaana, a fellow intern and volunteer, spoke about their Mandela Day projects such as the winter warm is this the full name? and shouldn’t it be capped? campaign. The campaign received overwhelming support from around 300 youth volunteers from the Youth Leadership Programme and the Youth Outreach Programme. “Our army of young volunteers spent the weekend going door-to-door to ask community members to donate books, blankets and non-perishable items towards the campaign,” said Rakshaana.

By the end of the campaign, the volunteers had collected a truckload of items which were packaged and distributed on Mandela Day at informal settlements around Lenasia.

The foundation believes strongly that Mandela Day should be about the spirit of volunteerism and giving back to the community.

“Poverty, hunger and homelessness remain a challenge in South Africa. The winter warm project won’t change this, but we made a difference in at least one individual’s life,” said Rakshaana.