Annual ZO Hang Out with Madiba countdown is on

ZO calls on the community to donate clothing, blankets, toiletries and non-perishable items for Mandela Day

June 15, 2026

Mbuso Kunene 2 minutes read

Dice operations manager Bella Marques and ZO consultant editor encourage the public to donate winter clothing, blankets, toiletries and non-perishable foods during the ZO's Hang Out with Madiba charity initiative on 17 July

The countdown is on for the ZO’s most heart-warming tradition – the annual Hang Out with Madiba charity drive.

On Friday, 17 July, the ZO team is once again stringing up washing lines and calling on the community to donate winter clothing, blankets, toiletries and non-perishable foods in commemoration of Mandela Day.

The lines will be up from 7.30am to 12 noon.

Drop-off points are the newspaper’s offices at 3 Baines Road, Empangeni and the open space between the Civic Centre and East Central Arterial in Richards Bay where washing lines will also be erected.

There will also be donation boxes for toiletries and non-perishable foods at the drop-off points.

Clubs, schools and businesses are encouraged to erect their own charity lines on the day, collecting these items to then be delivered to the ZO offices.

Alternatively, people can spend their 67 minutes volunteering at the lines.

These minutes honour the 67 years Nelson Mandela spent fighting for justice, equality and freedom.

Clothes collected on the day supply the ZO’s charity arm Dice (Do I Care Enough?) outreach programmes and the City of uMhlathuze’s Disaster Management unit, assisting the needy for an entire year.

The ZO has again partnered with the City of uMhlathuze, Rotary Clubs of Empangeni and Richards Bay, as well as Concord Access Solutions on this heartfelt project.

Anyone unable to get to the ZO charity line on Madiba Day can call Dave Savides on 060 9719249 or Bella Marques on 035 7990500, or alternatively, email dice@zob.co.za.

Dice operations manager Bella Marques shares the NPO’s top needs:

• Clothing for both adults and children
• Winter warmth: blankets, beanies, scarves
• Toiletries: soap, toothpaste, sanitary pads and toilet paper
• Non-perishable food items

The Dice team requests that all clothing be in good condition and clean to avoid time-consuming efforts of mending or washing.

Let us know how you are spending your 67 minutes! Share a selfie or a photograph of your moments at the ZO charity lines in Empangeni or Richards Bay and tag us on Facebook,

Instagram or X using the hashtags: #ZOHangOut and #MyHangOut

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: