MANDELA DAY 2025
We did it, again!
Johannesburg
Anywhere in the world
A Heartfelt Thank You from Ladles of Love
As we celebrate the success of our 2025 Mandela Day event, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible support we received from our partners, sponsors, and volunteers.
For seven years, we’ve strived to create inclusive and meaningful events that embody the spirit of ubuntu. This year’s event was truly legendary, with over 20,000 hands coming together to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children in under-resourced communities.
The kindness, generosity, and passion of our supporters were palpable as we worked together to create, craft, and grow items for small children. The impact of our collective efforts has been extraordinary:
• We raised funds, food, and essential items that will nourish, nurture, and empower thousands of children.
• We’re providing two meals a day to children and teachers for months to come, improving their health, energy, and wellbeing.
Our ‘Nourish Our Children’ programme is making a tangible difference in the lives of these young ones. When you visit our beneficiary preschools, you’ll see the joy and smiles on the children’s faces, knowing where their next meal is coming from.
A Giant Thank You
To everyone who contributed to our success, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your support has brought us closer to our vision of alleviating hunger amongst all children in South Africa.
Join Us for Mandela Day 2026
We invite you to be part of our next event on Friday, 17 July 2026, at DHL Stadium and Kyalami Grand Prix Race Circuit.
Let’s work together to bring our vision to life. – Corporate bookings open on 1 November 2025.
Email Memory Mambo at Events@ladlesoflove.org.za to secure your spot. – We’re actively seeking sponsorships for our events and volunteer activation stations.
Email Alison McCutcheon at alison@ladlesoflove.org.za to explore opportunities.
Together, let’s make every day a Mandela Day for the children of South Africa.
Together, we made a difference this Mandela Day!
What you did at the Volunteer Activation Zones…
MAKE Activation Zone
This Mandela Day, love took action — and the impact was huge!
Together, we packed food supplies that will keep preschool children, their teachers, and carers nourished every single day. Volunteers built Buckets of Love filled with hearty dry goods, packed Love Food boxes bursting with essentials, and spread thousands of sarmies made with care.
And the finishing touch? Your creative labels, notes, and wishes turned every parcel into more than food — they became bundles of hope and joy.
CREATE Activation Zone
You brought learning to life!
Thanks to your creativity, preschool children and teachers now have colourful posters and fun colouring-in books to support early childhood development. For many underserved Educare centres, these resources are a game-changer — giving kids the tools to learn, grow, and dream big.
CRAFT Activation Zone
You gave the gift of play!
For many of the preschools we support, toys are a rare treasure. This Mandela Day, volunteers crafted pillow dolls with love — each one a priceless gift for a child to call their own. From peace dolls to cars, taxis, jeeps, buses, and the ever-popular squish dolls, every creation was coloured, stitched, and tagged with care.
GROW Activation Zone
You planted seeds of hope!
This Mandela Day, volunteers created edible garden kits that keep on giving — growing fresh veggies while teaching children, teachers, and parents the value of growing their own food. Each kit was carefully packed with containers, soil, seeds, and a step-by-step guide — all wrapped with a heartfelt message of love.
