67 Minutes for Mandela Day: Volunteer Opportunities

Every year on Mandela Day, South Africans devote 67 minutes of their day in service of others, in memory of our beloved Madiba and the 67 years he spent fighting for justice and equality. 

We’ve rounded up some incredible local organisations you can support. Whether you’re an animal lover, a people person, or passionate about the planet, there’s a special way you can give back this year. All of the following NPOs also offer Zapper as a payment method for easy donations.

 

🐾 For the Animals 

 

Animal welfare organisations are heroes in their own right. Find one in your area, and see how you can lend a hand.

 

Kloof and Highway SPCA

 

From dog walking to helping out in charity shops or the tea garden, volunteers here are vital to keeping tails wagging and spirits high. They also host fun community events and nature walks in Glenholme Nature Reserve.

Volunteer with Kloof SPCA 

 

Paw Prints Rescue and Rehoming (Botha’s Hill)

 

A no-kill dog shelter in Botha’s Hill, KZN, focused on rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming abandoned or injured dogs and puppies. Paw Prints Rescue welcomes volunteers of all ages to assist with animal care, community service hours, and more.

Find out how to help 

 

Durban and Coast SPCA

 

This century‑old SPCA offers hands-on opportunities to help with shelter duties, community outreach, and the rescue, treatment, and rehoming of lost, injured, abused, and stray animals.

See how to get involved 

 

Amanzimtoti SPCA

 

Assist with daily duties like cleaning cages and walking dogs, as well as fundraising, fostering and pet adoptions.

More info

 

Mooi River and District SPCA

 

Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, from IT and administrative to building.

Learn more 

 

Umngeni SPCA

 

Join their team by helping with animal care, cleaning, and fundraising efforts. 

uMngeni SPCA

 

Empangeni SPCA

 

Assist this branch with daily care, fostering, or by donating supplies. Their needs are constant and varied.

Support Empangeni SPCA

 

Wollies Animal Project

 

Located in Pretoria, this no-kill shelter welcomes volunteers for animal care, cleaning, and community outreach.

Volunteer at Wollies

 

Dogtown South Africa

 

Help walk, train, and care for rescued dogs as they transition to forever homes. A great option for Gauteng-based volunteers.

Volunteer at Dogtown

 

SPCA Witbank

 

Assist with dog walking, kennel cleaning, or educational visits to schools to promote animal care.

Support SPCA Witbank

 

Matlosana Animal Shelter

 

Volunteers can help with animal care, administration, and community outreach in the Stilfontein area.

Volunteer at Matlosana

 

NSPCA

 

Support the national body by joining campaigns, helping local branches, or spreading awareness.

Learn more

 

Paws A While SPCA Shop

 

A charity shop run by the Empangeni SPCA, raising funds to support animal rescue and welfare. You can help by donating pre-loved items, volunteering in-store, or simply shopping to support their cause.

Offer your time 

 

Tshwane SPCA 

 

Protects and cares for animals in the Pretoria region through rescue, shelter, and veterinary services. You can support them by volunteering your time or donating. 

spcapta.org.za.

 

Kitty and Puppy Haven 

 

A pro-life animal sanctuary in Midrand, South Africa, dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming neglected, abused, and abandoned cats and dogs. You can support their mission by volunteering your time, donating funds or supplies, or adopting a pet through their website.

www.kittypuppyhaven.org.za.

 

Woodrock Animal Rescue 

 

A leading pro-life, nonprofit shelter in Gauteng, South Africa, dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming over 500 animals, including dogs, cats, donkeys, pigs, and more. You can support their mission by volunteering your time or donating.

woodrockanimalrescue.co.za.

 

💗 Women and Children

 

Our vulnerable women and children deserve all the care and attention in the world. Here are some ways you can help out.

 

The Robin Hood Foundation

 

With outreach projects like Love the Babies, Gogo Bags and Bless a Granny and Grandpa, they’re always looking for helping hands, or even at-home knitters and crocheters. 

Join their movement 

 

The Baby House Westville 

 

Westville’s transitional safe haven offers vulnerable and abandoned infants love and care around the clock. Basic care, including feeding and bathing, is provided by volunteers.

The Baby House Westville

 

Upper Highway Baby Home 

 

A private baby sanctuary in the Upper Highway region of KZN provides needy infants and toddlers with short-term housing and adoption preparation.

Contact Us – Upper Highway Baby Home 

 

The Peace Agency

 

Assist in safe homes for women and children in crisis, or help with community outreach and awareness.

Peace Agency

 

Blessing Lives

 

Support this initiative by donating time to outreach drives or helping with the distribution of collected goods.

Blessing Lives

 

KZN Children’s Hospital Trust

 

Rehabilitates and supports specialist pediatric care at Durban’s historic children’s hospital. Make a one-time or recurring donation or offer your time by assisting with events, administrative tasks, or maintenance activities. Volunteers are always welcome.

Bring hope and healing

 

eXpose HOPE

 

A Durban-based nonprofit that provides support and counselling to vulnerable women involved in sex work. You can help by volunteering your time, donating resources, or supporting their outreach programs. 

Learn more

 

Rise Up Movement 

 

A KZN-based nonprofit fighting gender-based violence through education, advocacy, and survivor support. You can help by donating or volunteering.

riseupmovement.org.za.

 

🫂 People and Community

 

Support doesn’t always mean direct care. Mentoring, education and skill-building are powerful too.

 

Mr Price Foundation- Hope4Youth

 

Focused on empowering youth with skills for employment, this programme thrives on support. You can donate to their initiatives or sponsor youth in training. 

Read about their impact 

 

The Jes Foord Foundation 

 

Supports rape survivors across KZN with counselling, dignity packs, awareness drives, and crisis intervention. Volunteers are welcome to assist with packing, admin and events.

Support the foundation

 

The Domino Foundation 

 

Focused on long-term social upliftment through structured programs in nutrition, education, and anti-human trafficking. Active across multiple communities in KZN.

Get involved

 

LIV Village / LIV Shop

 

Help through skills-based volunteering, donation drives, or retail support to raise funds for child-centred programs.

Support LIV

 

Restoration of Hope Open Hands

 

A nonprofit uplifting rural Zulu communities through sustainable development initiatives. You can support their mission by volunteering your time, donating resources, or getting involved in their community projects.

Learn how

 

Love Cities NPC 

 

Creating opportunities and driving social upliftment in under-resourced communities through compassion-led projects, you can get involved by volunteering or donating.

Give back

 

Sithanda Upliftment Projects 

 

A South African nonprofit dedicated to uplifting underprivileged communities through sustainable Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, such as their flagship project, Ekuthuleni, in KwaMashu. You can support their mission by volunteering your time or making a donation.

sithanda.org.

 

🍎 Health, Education and Empowerment

 

Education and health-focused NPOs create a sustainable impact by empowering future generations and supporting vulnerable families. These organisations offer rewarding ways to give your time, talent or resources this Mandela Day.

 

CHOC Cows / Cupcakes of Hope

 

Participate in fundraising events like charity cycles or bake sales for children fighting cancer.

CHOC | Cupcakes of Hope

 

Cotlands

 

Support early childhood development through educational kit-making or event volunteering.

Volunteer at Cotlands

Smile Foundation

 

Volunteer at hospital events or help coordinate donation drives for children needing reconstructive surgery.

Support Smile Foundation

 

Thembelihle School

 

Donate your time to Thembelihle School by assisting in classrooms, sharing your skills, or helping with events. Your presence can make a lasting impact on a child’s learning journey.

Donate or join their team.

 

Surgeons for Little Lives 

 

A South African nonprofit dedicated to providing life-saving surgeries and comprehensive care to underprivileged children in need of specialised medical treatment. You can support their mission by volunteering your time or making a donation.

surgeonsforlittlelives.org.

 

iThemba Lethu Donations

 

Support children and families affected by HIV/AIDS through fostering, family reunification, and mentorship. Your time or contributions can help rewrite their stories.

Learn how to help

 

Woza Moya Community Development Project

 

Offers health, education, and empowerment in rural KZN through home-based care and youth support. Woza Moya welcomes volunteers to assist with community health, early childhood development, youth mentorship, sustainable livelihoods, and administrative support.

Help out

Singakwenza

 

Empowers young children through early education using sustainable resources and hands-on training. Lend a hand by joining workshops or packing educational materials for schools in need.

Volunteer at Singakwenza

 

🦏 Wildlife and Conservation 

 

Help protect South Africa’s natural beauty with these impactful organisations. 

 

Project Rhino

 

A KZN-based coalition fighting rhino poaching through coordinated security, advocacy, and education. Help protect endangered wildlife from crime through fundraising, events, or awareness. 

Support Project Rhino

 

Keep Westville Beautiful 

 

Join local clean-up crews and beautification projects. Great for schools, families, and corporations.

Get involved via Facebook

 

The Litterboom Project

 

A hands-on initiative stopping plastic waste from entering our oceans. Lend your time to river clean-ups or donate.

Volunteer or donate

 

FreeMe Wildlife

 

Assist with wildlife rescue, transport, or rehabilitation for injured animals before they are reintroduced to the wild.

Support FreeMe

 

Durban Botanic Gardens Trust

 

Supports conservation, education, and research at Africa’s oldest surviving botanic garden. Volunteer with conservation tours, educational programs, or garden maintenance.

Get involved

 

CROW (Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife)

 

Support animal rescue, help with admin, or volunteer at their Durban sanctuary.

Volunteer at CROW

 

Giving Back Doesn’t Have to Be Just One Day

 

Mandela Day is a powerful reminder, but not a limit. These organisations need our time and love throughout the year. Whether it’s 67 minutes or a long-term commitment, your time can start a ripple that creates a wave of change.

So, where will you spend your 67 minutes?