Mandela Day in a time of social distancing: Ways to make a virtual difference

Joanne van der Walt, Sage Founder director, gave some advice how South Africans can make a difference on Mandela Day (18 July).

She said, “Covid-19 put inequality in the spotlight. With millions of people without jobs and forced into poverty, the work of NGOs has never been more crucial. And there has never been a more crucial time to help them. It’s around this time of year that corporates prepare for Mandela Day, stocking up on paint and gardening supplies to uplift local charities. But this year, under social distancing, corporates need to get creative in how they support the social organisations that have taken the brunt of the coronavirus impact – without being physically present. The Nelson Mandela Foundation appeals to us to do what we can, while keeping ourselves and others safe.”

According to Van der Walt, here are a few ways to do it …

1.  Ask before you donate – Ask your charity what they need right now to make things easier. Maybe it’s food, maybe blankets, maybe a contribution to their electricity bill. Their request may be surprisingly simple and easy to fulfil. A fridge, for example, can be delivered to a soup kitchen in a few clicks, and is more useful to the charity right now than a massive food donation with no cold place to store it.
2. Your trash is another man’s treasure – Lockdown forced many businesses to upgrade their technology to support remote teams. Consider donating your old computers and smartphones to schools, NGOs, or other learning institutions, like Afrika Tikkun, which develops and uplifts young people in underprivileged communities. And, if remote working suits your business model and you’re considering downgrading your office space, these organisations will gladly accept your furniture, appliances and stationery, for a more comfortable learning environment.
3. Partner, partner, partner – I can’t stress this enough. Effective social engagement is about long-term relationships and commitment. It takes time and sustained effort to make a real difference to the organisations you partner with. The best way to have a long-lasting, sustainable impact is to build supportive partnerships on trust and collaboration. Check in with your charity regularly to understand the challenges they face, not just in their organisation but also in the wider community.
4. Money is always appreciated – Yes, you could donate to the broader fight against Covid-19, by supporting initiatives like the Solidarity Fund, but you may never see the impact of your contribution. According to the National Small Business Chamber, only six per cent of small businesses that applied for relief funding were successful. If registered, tax-compliant businesses are having a hard time accessing funds, how challenging must it be for a non-registered, community-based NPO. By donating directly to these organisations, you see the impact in front of you. It’s tangible, raw, and emotional. What’s more, you’ll have a genuine impact in the community, since most NGOs support local businesses and provide employment.
5. Don’t have money to give – There’s so much you can do for very little or no money at all, like offering your services, pro bono, to your chosen charity. NGOs would be grateful for help with their finances, a website, legal advice, or mentorship. You could also help your charity by setting up a GivenGain page. The average fundraiser connects with 15 donors and raises R10 000 simply by creating a project and sharing it with friends and family. Another way to contribute is to buy extra groceries and drop them in the #Each1Feed1 box at participating retail stores. The world needs a virtual hug.

Van der Walt added, “Life is hard for a lot of people right now. Millions are suffering and millions feel helpless and anxious, including your own people. But through the act of giving and being part of something bigger, we can contribute towards our local communities in ways we never thought possible. And, in doing so, we reap many mental health benefits: we’re happier, healthier, and may even live longer. South Africans have come together on a scale never seen before to help vulnerable people in need of support during Covid-19.”