Today, Monday 18 July, is Mandela Day.

Mandela International Day was launched in 2009 in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s birthday on 18 July via unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly. It was inspired by a call Mandela made a year earlier: for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices. It is more than a celebration of Madiba’s life and legacy. It is a global movement to honour his life’s work and act to change the world for the better.

3 ways to take action on Mandela Day

1. Sponsor a child’s visit to the Aquarium

This week, we are making a special product available on our online shop which allows you to donate R67 towards our Sponsor a Child programme as part of your Mandela Day action.

Sponsored children will be treated to a hands-on discovery activity presented by one of our highly trained and skilled education staff from the Enviromental Education Centre. They will then explore the Aquarium and encounter amazing animals such as Knysna seahorses, giant spider crabs, rays, turtles, penguins and much, much more.

Click here to make your R67 donation now. 

2. Support the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha

If you want to do more and wondering where to spend your 67 minutes, why not join the Mdzananda Animal Clinic, and help build kennels for the pets of Khayelitsha?

Mdzananda has been caring for the pets of Khayelitsha residents and those further afield for 20 years. From the humble beginnings of a shipping container with no water or electricity, the organisation now has a clinic and theatre, an emergency ambulance service, mobile clinics and mobile education units. They operate six days a week and see over 1 000 pets every month.

Please click here to find out more about how you can support this life-saving work – either through committing your time or by donating materials or funds.

3. Help build Shark Spotters’ free app

If you live in Cape Town, and regardless of whether you actually spend time in the cold water (surfing, snorkelling, paddling, diving) or simply drive pass the lookout points on your way over Chapman’s Peak, you have probably seen a Shark Spotter, or at least heard of this service. The Shark Spotters team wants to help prepare you better by providing all their services, and more, in the palm of your hands with a great new mobile application – absolutely free.

Shark Spotters are calling on all those will benefit from software like this to make a donation towards the final development stages of the app. The app has been developed with water users in mind, and will serve as a one-stop shop for safety, education and shark conservation for all beaches monitored by Shark Spotters.

Click here to find out more about this app.

Click here to donate to Shark Spotters now.

Bonus action!

While it’s not happening exactly on Mandela Day, you could still make a huge difference to our coastal environment by joining the Two Oceans Aquarium’s SEA Team at their first public beach cleanup on Sunday 31 July. All are welcome!

Click here for cleanup details.