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.
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.
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.
Amanzimtoti SPCA
Assist with daily duties like cleaning cages and walking dogs, as well as fundraising, fostering and pet adoptions.
Mooi River and District SPCA
Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, from IT and administrative to building.
Umngeni SPCA
Join their team by helping with animal care, cleaning, and fundraising efforts.
Empangeni SPCA
Assist this branch with daily care, fostering, or by donating supplies. Their needs are constant and varied.
Wollies Animal Project
Located in Pretoria, this no-kill shelter welcomes volunteers for animal care, cleaning, and community outreach.
Dogtown South Africa
Help walk, train, and care for rescued dogs as they transition to forever homes. A great option for Gauteng-based volunteers.
SPCA Witbank
Assist with dog walking, kennel cleaning, or educational visits to schools to promote animal care.
Matlosana Animal Shelter
Volunteers can help with animal care, administration, and community outreach in the Stilfontein area.
NSPCA
Support the national body by joining campaigns, helping local branches, or spreading awareness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
💗 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.
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.
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.
Blessing Lives
Support this initiative by donating time to outreach drives or helping with the distribution of collected goods.
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.
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.
Rise Up Movement
A KZN-based nonprofit fighting gender-based violence through education, advocacy, and survivor support. You can help by donating or volunteering.
🫂 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.
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.
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.
LIV Village / LIV Shop
Help through skills-based volunteering, donation drives, or retail support to raise funds for child-centred programs.
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.
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.
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.
🍎 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.
Cotlands
Support early childhood development through educational kit-making or event volunteering.
Smile Foundation
Volunteer at hospital events or help coordinate donation drives for children needing reconstructive surgery.
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.
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.
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.
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.
🦏 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.
Keep Westville Beautiful
Join local clean-up crews and beautification projects. Great for schools, families, and corporations.
The Litterboom Project
A hands-on initiative stopping plastic waste from entering our oceans. Lend your time to river clean-ups or donate.
FreeMe Wildlife
Assist with wildlife rescue, transport, or rehabilitation for injured animals before they are reintroduced to the wild.
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.
CROW (Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife)
Support animal rescue, help with admin, or volunteer at their Durban sanctuary.
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?
