Yesterday was Mandela Day, and it was great to see so many people setting aside 67 minutes of their time to help their fellow humans, as well as doing good for the environment and animals (which, ultimately, benefits us humans too).

Of course, we all lead busy lives, and sometimes, a spare 67 minutes is hard to find!

The Two Oceans Aquarium offers another way that you can make difference. Keeping with the spirit of the Mandela Day slogan, “Make every day a Mandela Day”, we are keeping our charity initiative running indefinitely, to allow more people who’d like to do something good to participate.

Sponsor a child’s visit

According to a study, some 80% of the children living in Cape Town have never seen the sea, despite being so close to it. Many will never have the chance to see animals in the wild, and experience the wonder of the ocean.

Nothing can replace the incredible impact and sheer delight of interacting with living animals. These first-hand sensory experiences in childhood are vital for the later formation of positive environmental attitudes and behaviours. These same attitudes and behaviours are necessary in all our children if we are to create a sustainable ocean legacy.

You can give a disadvantaged child an experience of immeasurable value and joy by sponsoring a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium. This includes transport here and back, and a fun-filled day in our classrooms, getting hands-on with marine life, and being shown around the various exhibits.

This initiative is part of our Adopt-a-School programme, which includes a variety of sponsorship packages. However, in celebration of Mandela Day, we’ve made it easy: R67 will cover the cost of one child’s visit to the Aquarium, and you can donate as many times as you want.

Click here to donate, and please share this message and encourage others to donate too.

Stay in touch: for daily Aquarium updates, talk to us on Twitter (@2OceansAquarium) and become a fan on Facebook.