Corporate South Africa unites to pack 650 000 meals on Mandela Day
This large-scale initiative, led by non-profit organisation Rise Against Hunger Africa, will directly support over 78 500 children in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across the country.
Read more: From volunteer to CEO, Kim expands smiles
The annual Mandela Day event is the largest of its kind for Rise Against Hunger Africa, engaging employees from major financial institutions such as ABSA, Standard Bank, and Nedbank, as well as numerous insurance and other corporate entities.
Rise Against Hunger Africa CEO Brian Nell said, 'Our goal today is to pack 650 000 meals, that's enough to provide five nutritious meals a week to 2 860 children for an entire year while they attend their ECDs.
'It's not just about feeding kids, it's about helping them learn, grow, and thrive during their most critical developmental years.'
While Mandela Day sees a large collective effort, Rise Against Hunger Africa operates year-round, supplying monthly food deliveries to over 720 ECD centres nationwide.
The meals are specially designed to meet the nutritional needs of young children and are delivered consistently by the non-profit's distribution team and partner organisations.
'We've built a system where meals are delivered regularly, and every meal has a one-year shelf life. Our impact isn't just measured in meals, but in better educational outcomes and healthier, happier children.'
Throughout the year, Rise Against Hunger hosts smaller meal-packing events at various company premises, creating hands-on volunteering opportunities for employees and integrating Corporate Social Investment (CSI) into daily business culture.
'Corporate South Africa rocks – without them, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. These companies aren't just donating for tax breaks anymore. They're involved, they're present, and they're changing lives.'
Among the key partners in this year's Mandela Day activation was ABSA Group. Their team contributed significantly across four regions: Gauteng, KZN, Western Cape, and Free State, packing over 71 000 meals.
Manager Colleague Volunteering and Social Impact Response at ABSA, Zintle Zhazia, said, 'This initiative aligns with our strategy of being a force for good in the communities we serve.
'Food security is a major issue in our country, and we believe that by bringing our colleagues along to participate and give back, we are actively contributing to long-term social impact.'
Zhazia emphasised that Rise Against Hunger's collaborative model is key to lasting impact.
'By working with multiple corporations, Rise Against Hunger creates a shared value approach that strengthens communities and maximises support for young children in ECDs.'
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