Big or small, we all have a role to play in #MandelaDay2022

[Mandy122]

This Mandela Day, Standard Bank is making a commitment to South Africa’s school children when we’ll donate 67 water tanks in 67 minutes to assist draught stricken communities and schools with access to clean water.

​We’ll be installing these tanks at Tutuwa nominated schools throughout the rest of the year; starting on 18 July 2022 in Makhanda at 4 schools: Kutliso Daniels, Nathaniel Nyaluza High, CM Vellem Primary School and St Mary’s RC Primary School.

With collaboration and gratitude to the phenomenal work of our partners, who have made this initiative possible, we’d like to extend thanks to the Standard Bank Tutuwa Community Foundation, Standard Bank Arts, as well as Head of Brand at Standard Bank Greig Jerling and the UNBXD team, who have collaborated with us on making Mandela Day 2022 truly special. The brand team not only contributed, but also supplied us with UNBXD artist Kevin De Klerk (aka Muralit) to help paint the first water tank that we are installing at Kuthliso Daniels with a beautiful mural.  

We'd also like to thank members of our Eastern Cape provincial teams who have stepped up to assist us in making our Mandela Day idea a reality. Thank you, in particular, to Duane Grobler, Bhongo  Bavuma, Heinrich Goliath, Zanele Twala and Vice Chancellor of Rhodes University - Prof. Sizwe Mabizela. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Diana Hornby of Rhodes University Community Engagement. 

While we, as a bank, are able to invest in water tanks this Mandela Day, we understand that for many individuals, spending money on others for your 67 minutes may not be possible, which is why this year, we are highlighting the fact that you don’t need a big budget to make a big difference. 

The Nelson Mandela Foundation, in acknowledgment of the tough financial situation many South Africans have found themselves in, has made the theme of this year’s 67 Minutes 'Do what you can, with what you have, where you are'.  

We call on our customers to embrace this philosophy. Let’s capture the true essence of Mandela Day. It is, foremost, about spending time, not spending money. It should reflect the size of your heart, not the size your wallet. To make a difference, you don’t have to be rich. You just need to get involved. 

To get you started, here are some suggestions for how to spend your 67 minutes:   

• Plant a seed to feed your community.​
• Volunteer for odd jobs at a nursing home or hospice.​
• Offer to read stories to children at a children’s home.​
• Get together with your colleagues and make sandwiches to give to people living on the street, and why not sit and have lunch with them while you’re at it?​
• Organise a fun outing for children in an HIV/Aids programme.​
• Clean up your local park.​
• Offer to fix things at a local school or organisation​
• Collect toys, books or clothes for a children’s home​
• Offer to attend a high school to speak to students about your career.​
• Bake cookies and take them to a police station for the police officers.​
• Blog about a non-profit organisation that needs support.​
• Offer your skills to an NPO or charity ​

You can also support these existing initiatives on Mandela Day: 

• Pack meals at Canal Walk for under-resourced pre-schools through Stop Hunger Now.​
• Help build a home with Habitat for Humanity.​
• Take a course to become a Lifeline/Childline or SADAG counsellor.​
• Donate educational materials to Breadline Africa. .​
• Find out how to become a mentor at the Beth Uriel House of Light. ​

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For #MandelaDay2022, let’s do what we can, with what we have, where we are. ItCanBe!