Help South Africa's children: volunteer with Ladles of Love this Mandela Day
Children and adults participating in the Ladles of Love activities at a previous Mandela Day event.
Image: Supplied
As the school holidays come to a close, Ladles of Love, a renowned South African non-profit organisation, is reaching out to the nation's youth with a poignant plea: “Log off your games and social feeds, and show up to help your country.” This Mandela Day, young South Africans are invited to honour Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy by volunteering their time to assist vulnerable and underserved children.
This year, Ladles of Love is ramping up its Mandela Day events, which will take place at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town and the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg on 18 July. Parents are encouraged to galvanise their children to participate in meaningful community service—creating items that nourish and support preschoolers in need.
Children and adults can create comfort cushions and toys for those in need this Mandela Day
Image: Supplied
Yolanda Jones, Programme Director at Ladles of Love, expressed the importance of this initiative, stating, “Calling all parents and scholars who are looking for somewhere and something meaningful to do for your ‘Community Service’—come and join us at our Mandela Day Events. You can do 8 hours of official volunteering with us and have fun doing good for good.” She further emphasised the significance of civic involvement, saying, “We need young South Africans to realise that giving back isn’t optional—it’s vital, as when you give your time, you’re helping to build the South Africa you want to live in.”
In an effort to empower youth engagement, Ladles of Love is offering a special for school holiday community service: a full-day (8-hour) ticket available for R500 or a half-day (4-hour) ticket for R300. Each ticket comes with a personalised official document for community service records. Scholars, students, and families are encouraged to sign up together, creating a day filled with shared purpose and human connection, far removed from screens and digital distractions. “Parents are urged to bring their kids for a fun-filled day that teaches empathy, responsibility, and gratitude,” Jones noted.
There will be educational posters and colouring in books that can be created at Ladles of Love's Mandela Day event
Image: Suppled
Participation involves selecting a time slot—options range from 9am to 5pm—and choosing from various Activation Station Zones, including:
- MAKE: Assemble sandwiches, boxes, and buckets of love
- CREATE: Design educational posters and colouring-in books
- CRAFT: Make comfort cushions and toys
- GROW: Plant edible garden kits
Tickets can be purchased by scholars for R500 (8 hours) or R300 (4 hours). General volunteers can book for R250 via the organisation's website, while groups of 20 or more can make arrangements by emailing tickets@ladlesoflove.org.za.
As children and families unite to lend their hands in meaningful work this Mandela Day, they will contribute to the fight against child food poverty. Ladles of Love has proven its commitment to this cause, serving over 48 million meals to those in need since March 2020, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. With a focus on nurturing and supporting more than 7,500 preschool children in underserved communities through the Nourish Our Children programme, the organisation is making a substantial impact in the lives of women and children.
Founded by Danny Diliberto, who began his first soup kitchen in 2014, Ladles of Love now operates across the Cape Peninsula, Northern Province, and Gauteng, continuing to offer vital nutrition and support to preschools throughout the region.