It Starts with a meal.

Every year on 18 July, people around the world come together to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela by giving back to their communities. The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better and build a global movement for good.

Across South Africa and the African continent, Mandela Day has become a powerful day of volunteerism, philanthropy, and generosity, with individuals and organisations donating their time, skills, goods, resources, and services to uplift communities.

This year, Rise Against Hunger Africa is once again bringing people together through a series of large-scale national meal packaging events in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s life of service.

Join us on 17 July at the Sandton Convention Centre from 10:00 AM for an impactful meal packaging event where corporate teams and volunteers will dedicate 67 minutes to making a lasting difference.

Working side by side, volunteers will package thousands of nutritious meals that provide hope, dignity, and nourishment to children attending the Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres supported by Rise Against Hunger Africa.

The meals packaged during Mandela Day form part of Rise Against Hunger Africa’s ECD Connect Programme, which connects good nutrition with education for thousands of children during their most important developmental years.

Our ongoing campaign, It Starts With a Meal, reminds us that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. By ensuring children receive nutritious meals during their formative years, we help lay the foundation for healthier futures, improved learning outcomes, and stronger communities.

Mandela Day is more than a day of service, it’s an opportunity to create meaningful, lasting impact.

Whether you’re joining as part of a corporate team or volunteering your time, your 67 minutes can help nourish young minds and contribute to a brighter future for children across Africa.

Event Details

Date: 17 July 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre

Join Rise Against Hunger Africa this Mandela Day and help prove that it starts with a meal.