The Community Spirit of Nelson Mandela Day
July 18th marked Nelson Mandela Day 2025, and we would love to share what the STEPi team got up to during the weeks surrounding the special day.
Nelson Mandela Day is a celebration of the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world and make an impact. People across the globe are encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to service, in honour of the 67 years Nelson Mandela dedicated to fighting for social justice. Nelson Mandela, who passed away in 2013, was a revolutionary anti-Apartheid figure who dedicated his life to peace and building a unified South Africa. This year’s Mandela Day theme was "It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity."
At STEPi, our work is informed by the belief that education is an equaliser that is key in ensuring that children are able to become happy, successful adults. Having a meaningful education ensures that children are equipped with a lifelong resource that can never be taken away from them, and can be used to build up the communities around them. In order to be able to combat poverty and inequity, children need access to education, and the learning resources required to be educated.
The STEPi team hosted an online giveaway, with Facebook follower Pertunia Morake from Bushbuckridge Mpumalanga emerging as the winner. Morake was “so excited and very pleased” to receive a collection of STEPi books of her own.
On the 17th and 18th of July, our STEPi team celebrated Nelson Mandela Day by joining Mosaic for two of their community outreach and upliftment activities in Gqeberha, South Africa. The Mosaic team organised a clean-up of the Thuthuzela Care Centre at the Dora Ngiza Provincial Hospital, which provides essential counselling and medical care services to those who have experienced sexual assault, and prepared and distributed soup to Walmer township residents. Since its inception in 2008, Mosaic has provided support to vulnerable members of the community, including orphaned children and caregivers.
STEPi Creative Lead Mihlali Baleni was happy to be involved, and bear witness to Mosaic’s transformational work. "I really enjoyed doing something for Nelson Mandela Day, especially with Mosaic inviting us with open arms! Its good to see organisations doing their best to help people who are less fortunate to thrive and have a better day, and a better life. It's good to help other people out.
We cleaned the children's play area of the centre and I’m happy we got to improve it for them! Big or small, your actions make a difference.”
The STEPi team continued to take part in Nelson Mandela Day outreach activities, which included a day of fun games and reading activities with young learners from Mr Bean Daycare Centre in Johannesburg. Books like”Happy Girl, Happy Boy”, filled with bold and engaging illustrations inspire the minds of young readers. Investing in the next generation means investing in our future leaders and influential community builders.
Nelson Mandela Day is a reminder that positive action causes ripple effects that can have far-reaching positive effects on the lives of those around us. Our actions matter every day, and are not reserved for this day-long annual event.
