In 2026 we are mobilising the nation to support the education of 20,000 children at preschools in impoverished communities in our country.
“It is in your hands to create a better world for all our children.” – President Nelson Mandela
In the spirit of ubuntu we invite you, your colleagues and clan to heed this rally cry and become ‘Hands-On Heroes’ to nurture future leaders.
Together, let’s do it.
For Organisations, Teams, Schools & Clubs
Whether you are a school, sports club, community organisation or corporate team, Mandela Day 2026 is your opportunity to spend 67 minutes in service to others alongside thousands of fellow South Africans.
Create Your Own is the ideal option for groups who cannot attend in person. Hands-On Hero Kits are delivered via courier and your event can be staged anytime from 17 to 31 July 2026. Only Create and Craft kits are available from R300 plus shipping.
Bring your organisation, team, school or club to volunteer together.
Cape Town at DHL Stadium: Fri 17 July
EXPO Centre JHB: Wed 22 July
Partner with us for brand presence, CSI impact and Section 18A tax benefit.
About the event
Our flagship events are hosted at DHL Stadium in Cape Town and EXPO Centre Johannesburg. These world-class venues provide platforms to spend 67 minutes in service to others, making ECD items to nurture future leaders.
Two cities: Cape Town & Johannesburg
Four activities: Make | Create | Craft | Grow
Four time slots: 09:00 | 11:00 | 13:00 | 15:00
GROUP PACKAGES TIER 1: (STARTING AT 50 TICKETS)
Cape Town and Johannesburg
GROUP PACKAGE TIER 2: (STARTING AT 50 TICKETS)
Cape Town and Johannesburg
GROUP PACKAGE TIER 3: (STARTING AT 50 TICKETS)
Cape Town and Johannesburg
Minutes
Dedicated Zones
Ways to give
Make Zone
This one comes with a choice:
Option 1: Sarmiethon, make and spread sandwiches as fast as you can to feed people in need
Option 2: Nutrition Boxes, make and pack boxes with groceries for preschools.
Create Zone
Create preschool work books, flash cards, and posters to support early childhood learning at our network of pre schools.
Craft Zone
Craft preschool teaching aids: Hand sock puppets, fruit and veggie themed beanbags, and veggie trucks that bring lessons to life.
Grow Zone
Build grow boxes with herb and vegetable seeds to support urban farmers supplying preschools.
New for 2026
Born from demand in 2025, the Corporate Club is an option for corporate groups at both venues. A dedicated networking space and buffet catering with bar and beverage facilities.
Value Proposition
When your company partners with Ladles of Love Mandela Day, your brand is associated with something tangible, brandable, impactful, and auditable.
Our Hands-On Events provide a platform to showcase your brand to audiences who are authentic and attracted to purpose-driven companies making a difference.
This is the Ladles of Love promise, and it is what makes our partnerships different.
Every package includes:
Group Packages and Sponsorship Packages
Three tiers of sponsorship, from national headline sponsorship to 50-person team-build packages. Every package includes a Section 18A tax certificate.
SPONSORSHIP TIER 1
Cape Town and Johannesburg
Ideal for: National brands seeking headline event status, full CSI and marketing coverage across Cape Town and Johannesburg.
SPONSORSHIP TIER 2
Cape Town or Johannesburg
Ideal for: Brands seeking regional headline status with strong team activation and significant PR exposure.
SPONSORSHIP TIER 3
Open availability | Cape Town and Johannesburg
Ideal for: Organisations wanting a specific zone story, strong team activation and national presence.
Mandela Day 2026 is not a single-department decision. It is one investment that satisfies every stakeholder in your organisation simultaneously.
Finance and tax
Section 18A tax certificate issued per sponsor and, or a Ladles of Love CSI affidavit substantiating the goods-to-beneficiaries chain. No minimum threshold. Applies at all package levels. A genuine tax deduction, rare for event sponsorship.
CSI and transformation
BBBEE points for qualifying CSI spend. Measurable, auditable post-event impact report covering items produced and preschools reached. King IV aligned. Directly addresses ECD nutrition and education outcomes.
Marketing and comms
Brand presence at DHL Stadium and EXPO Centre Johannesburg and association with Nelson Mandela’s legacy. Inclusion in the national PR and social media campaign that generated R65M+ in publicity value in 2025. Audience: 51,400 followers, 5.1M video views, 14,233 email subscribers
HR and people
Structured, meaningful team-building with social purpose. Employee wellness and purpose is activated across all four volunteer zones. The Corporate Club for post-volunteering networking, celebrating and connecting.
ESG and sustainability
SDG 2, 3, 4, 11 and 12. Tangible goods produced and delivered, not a cash donation. Circular economy model with local urban farmers, compost, seeds and a regenerative food loop.
Stats and 2025 Results
raised in funds and items in 2025
in publicity value 2025
total volunteers in 2025
corporate sponsors in 2025
contact database growth year on year
combined video views in 2025
active email subscribers
social media followers
Ladles of Love was founded in Cape Town in 2014. Today it is one of South Africa’s most recognised NPOs, running year-round programmes in nutrition, early childhood development, urban farming and community upliftment.
NPO 203-599 | PBO 930062925
If you are unable to attend our events and would love to participate, whether you are a large corporate, factory, school or community group, Create Your Own is the ideal option. Hands-On Hero Kits can be ordered online and delivered door-to-door.
Events can be staged anytime from 17 to 31 July. Sponsor a batch of kits for schools or community groups and your brand appears on every kit. Section 18A certificate or affidavit included.
Complete the form below and we will be in touch within one business day.
Prefer to reach us directly?
HandsOnEvents@ladlesoflove.org.za
© Ladles of Love 2025. All rights reserved. By Semantica Digital
