Honouring Mandela Day the Somerset West Way
As 18 July approaches, South Africa prepares once again to honour Mandela Day – a celebration not only of Madiba’s life, but of the spirit he embodied: service, dignity, and everyday acts of kindness. This year, we’re highlighting two meaningful ways you can get involved right here in our Village. Whether it’s clearing out your garage or helping a child start their learning journey, these local causes make it easy to give your 67 minutes – and then some.
Kindness in Motion: Give Your Sporting Gear a Second Innings
Local resident Murray Williams has sparked a growing movement called Kindness in Motion (KIM) – inspired by his late brother Kim, “the kindest of us all.” It’s a simple call to action: if you’ve got unused sporting gear lying around – think cricket bats, cycling helmets, soccer boots or rackets – give it to someone who’ll treasure it.
“It is the least complicated, simplest, and most elegant opportunity to do good,” says Williams, “And that’s what people really want – they want skin in the game, they want to live meaningful lives, and here’s an opportunity to do that.”
📍Drop-off Points:
MTB @ Lourensford Hub
The pet shop at Zeezicht Garage
Lionsquare KwikSpar
All items are redistributed to respected local organisations, reaching children in schools and sports academies like Blue Sky Cycling.
🎥 Watch this short reel to hear Murray share the founding story, or contact him directly on 082 338 7938 to learn more or get involved.
Little Stars Crèche: Nurturing Big Dreams
Tucked away on a farm in rural Somerset West is a small crèche with a big heart. Little Stars was established to give farmworkers' children access to quality early childhood education, right on the land where many of their parents have lived and worked for generations.
With limited access to formal preschools, this warm, welcoming space has become a beacon of hope. This Mandela Day, your support could mean the world.
👣 How you can help:
Sponsor a child’s education for just R250/month
Donate educational supplies – books, puzzles, learning toys
Support caregiver training to uplift and empower those shaping young minds
Every contribution – big or small – helps create a stronger foundation for these little learners and their community. You can get involved directly via their BackaBuddy Campaign, or get in touch with Ronel at ronel.lyons@lourensford.co.za or 073 969 6094.
So, How Will You Be Celebrating?
Do you know of another cause in Somerset West doing great work for Mandela Day this year? We’d love to help spread the word. Email us at connect@villagecollective.co.za, and we’ll be happy to share it with the rest of the Village.
Let’s honour Madiba by showing just how much heart Somerset West has.