Mandela Day Giving Back
Mandela Day gives us pause to think about how much we actually give back, and we’re reminded that every day should be Mandela Day. But in our busy lives it’s not always easy commit to things, even the most important ones. Here are some initiatives that inspire us and will hopefully help to motivate your “giving back” choice.
Andrew Youn started a business solution for smallholder farmers, One Acre Fund, in 2006, co-founding the program in Kenya with John Gachunga. The principal of the programme is to assist farmers living in remote places, who need support in more than one area. One Acre Fund provides a complete set of services within a walking distance of the farmers it serves.
Their service bundle includes:
- Financing for farm inputs
- Distribution of seed and fertilizer
- Training on agricultural techniques
- Market facilitation to maximize profits from harvest sales.
The NCVT (National Children and Violence Trust) supports vulnerable groups such as abused and violated children, women, the unemployed, and people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in some of the most impoverished informal settlements in Gauteng.
The NCVT provides practical support, such as:
- Court support
- Victim Empowerment Centers (VEC) & Victim Empowerment Programmes (VEP)
- Healing through art
- Music therapy.
As well as being able to donate money to this life-changing NGO, they have a wish list of goods, such as Care Packs and Food Vouchers, which go to abused women and children who are in need of assistance.
Southern Africa Youth Project
Southern Africa Youth Project was established in 2005 in Diepsloot, Johannesburg. It was founded by Neftaly Malatjie at the age of 14 years old, with the inspiring philosophy that; “It is time that we as young people change the way young people think about themselves.”
The youth project has some great programmes in place to motivate youngsters:
- Corporate: Partnership with Corporates, managing their business models
- Job Placement: Companies place beneficiaries who have enrolled in Southern Africa Youth Programs
- Government: Assisting the government in terms of fighting unemployment, placing youth into jobs as well as promoting skills youth from communities.
In the words of Nelson Mandela, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” So go out there and start doing it.
Editorial Note:
About:Matoyana Business Solutions
Matoyana Business Solutions is a boutique business consulting company located in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is targeted at start-ups, small and medium enterprises across Africa.
Contact: Nokwazi Mzobe
Email: nokwazi@rocketpad.co.za
