Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, former President Nelson Mandela’s birthday. The day was officially declared by the United Nations (“UN”) in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010.
Even though the special day allocated as Mandela Day, is 18 July, South Africans, and yes, also MaxProf, embrace the chance to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life for the whole of July.
In May, the ENCA reported that since the start of the national lockdown period on 27 March 2020, more than 120 000 victims contacted the domestic abuse hotline. President Cyril Ramaphosa also announced on 17 June 2020 that R 1.6 billion would be dedicated to sourcing solutions to assist South Africa’s second pandemic – the abuse and murder of women and children. Femicide in South Africa has recently been a magnified issue, and we believe that the issue needs to be tended to at every possible level.
No matter how small your action, Mandela Day is all about changing the world for the better, just as Nelson Mandela did every day. We at MaxProf did our part by acting and responded to the societal issue at hand. We contacted the Gauteng Department of Social Development which provided us with a list of relevant homes and centres that cater specifically for those who have been affected by abuse. This led us to Mercy House, Beth Shan Shelter, Mali Martin Polokegong Centre, The Potter House, Youth for Survival and the Re-Bafenyi Victim Empowerment centres which are based in Pretoria Central, Pretoria West and the Cullinan and Bronkhorstspruit areas. These establishments provide sanctuaries for women and children who have been the victims of abuse.
MaxProf donated groceries, masks and other protective gear, sanitizers, blankets, nappies and other baby essentials, toys and clothing to the centres for victims of gender based violence.
“It felt good to lend a helping hand!”
