AMA upholds legacy of social justice through Mandela Day initiatives across South Africa

Around the world, Nelson Mandela is known as an anti-apartheid figure who was determined to fight inequality and uphold justice. He spent years of his life campaigning for human rights, tackled poverty and racism to create a fairer society.

Decades later, his legacy continues to inspire people around the world, particularly at Africa Muslims Agency (AMA).

In order to mark Mandela Day, an annual event celebrated on his birthday on 18 July, AMA organised a range of different charitable events to raise awareness on important values, communities in need and contribute to Mandela’s legacy.

Around South Africa, AMA staff and volunteers gathered to find different ways to serve struggling communities in different ways.

With rising unemployment and an energy crisis that has crippled many people and businesses, thousands of people across the country are facing immense difficulties. The multiple crises, which have coincided with the winter months, has made this period unbearable for many, and left them in destitute conditions.

South Africa’s energy crisis has caused electricity blackouts across the country, meaning that families have no access to heating while temperatures drop. As the economy also struggles, families are unable to afford basic essentials, including food items and warm clothing.

By carrying out various charitable projects, particularly in some remote and areas that have long been neglected, we were able to assist in empowering people and restoring their dignity in a meaningful and impactful way.

Creating welcoming spaces

In Johannesburg, we partnered up with the Teddy Bear Foundation, a home that tackles child abuse and helps children heal and overcome any trauma. The centre offers professional services that help minimise and secondary harm to children and help take care of young people psychologically, offering them therapy, forensic evaluations and testing.

In an effort to support the work the staff and the centre do, AMA teams went over to clean the offices and the garden.

By ensuring the centre is a clean, organised and inviting space, it not only allows the staff continue supporting those in need, but it also makes the centre a welcoming space, particularly for young children who may have been through difficult circumstances.

Renovating and cleaning the garden also plays a significant role in the lives of those that have lived through the trauma of abuse.

For people at the centre, the garden represents a safe haven where people can come to relax, talk, reflect and make progress in their healing journey.

A similar project was organised in Cape Town, where AMA repainted and cleaned the Bramble Way primary school.

The school is based in a community where a large percentage of parents and residents are unemployed or dependent on government grants for their children.

With high rates of violence, gangs, drugs and alcohol abuse, many people are struggling to secure basic goods and a livelihood.

The school has become more than an educational institution overtime, as it provides around 400 students with two meals at the school daily.

By repainting the school and fitting blinds to the library as well as cleaning the classrooms, AMA staff and volunteers were able to come together to enhance an important building, making it a brighter place.

Continuing on with the refurbishment of important centres and facilities which serve and empower communities, or team also visited the Pholani al Noor Creche in Durban.

Here, our teams took part in the plastering and re-painting of the facility.

The creche was transformed to a colourful and vibrant space, which young people can enjoy and parents can feel at ease knowing that their children are looked after in an environment that fosters growth, kindness and development.

Food distributions 

Food distributions also took place in the eastern Cape, where our team was joined by Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela.

Together, our teams and Mandela, handed out food parcels which contain a range of food items to help sustain families who are in need, or may not have a source of income.

As well as giving out food parcels, our teams also distributed winter blankets. Amidst the increasingly cold weather, some people have been forced to sleep outside, or are left in cold shelters.

With no access to warm clothing or somewhere to stay, the blankets are well received in the winter months.

Over 500 blankets were distributed in five villages across Mthantha.

The eastern Cape rural province is one of the poorest in South Africa, with communities in desperate need of support.

The blankets can be life saving for many people living in remote villages, especially given the electricity blackouts which means that some are forced to go days, or weeks without sufficient heating or hot water.

The distribution of winter packages continued in Port Elizabeth. AMA teams visited the Malabar retirement village, where elderly people are cared for, however still lack access to a lot of resources amidst economic challenges.

Ongoing support 

While AMA has carried out a range of projects to honour Mandela Day, and the legacy of the icon, our work continues on throughout the year, and has been ongoing for over 35 years.

AMA’s regional directors stress the importance of serving communities and empowering people of all backgrounds not just on important days, but every day.

AMA staff have been able to help some of the most destitute communities in remote areas over the years, not just in South Africa, but in different parts of the world, from Somalia, to Afghanistan, Lebanon, Mozambique, Palestine and Yemen, amongst others.

However, this life saving aid and support is only possible with your commitment and donations.

Each donation makes a significant difference to the quality of life of someone, and allows us to help make society a more just place, where empathy is of the utmost importance.