Charity is hard work. And hard work takes time. But time is money, as they say – and many hands make light work. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a handy list of four Winelands-based projects where you can make a meaningful impact this Mandela Month. Whether it’s by opening your bank app for a direct bank transfer or by dropping off a box of donations (yes, even your white elephants!), you can help support organisations doing powerful work in their communities.
This year, let’s support:
- The Goedgedacht Trust (Swartland and Porterville)
- The Pebbles Project at Villiera, Stellenbosch
- The Botriver Vineyards Association
- McGregor Winery (Robertson region)
1. Goedgedacht Trust – will your jar be there?
The Goedgedacht Trust has launched its annual winter campaign: "Fill a Jar, Fill a Heart", supported by Project Warm Jar. The initiative encourages individuals, corporates, and funders to donate non-perishable soup ingredients or sponsor soup jars at R250 each.
The goal? To prepare and distribute nutritious soup jars to vulnerable rural farming families in the Swartland region – with deliveries scheduled for Mandela Day (18 July) in honour of Madiba’s legacy of service.
Sponsor a jar: R250 per jar. Click HERE to donate online.
Drop-off locations:
- Goedgedacht Farm
- Goedgedacht POP Centres in Riebeek West, Riebeek-Kasteel, Riverlands, Chatsworth, Porterville
You can donate:
- Filled soup jars
- Empty jars and dry ingredients
- Bulk dry goods for jar packing
Want to organise a collection at your workplace or get your company involved? Reach out: marketing@goedgedacht.org | 022 482 4369
2. Pebbles Project Mandela Day Fun Run/Walk at Villiera
This Mandela Day, step into action with the Pebbles Project and take part in a meaningful 67-minute movement challenge. Hosted at Villiera, the 4.5km Fun Run/Walk invites participants to complete one or more loops of the scenic farm trail – each step a tribute to the 67 years Nelson Mandela dedicated to social justice.
Why participate?
- Celebrate Mandela Day through fun and fitness
- Explore the beautiful Villiera vineyards
- Great for corporate wellness and team-building
- Open to individuals, families, and company teams
Entry: R100 (cash accepted on the day)
Time: 08h00
Venue: Villiera Wines, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch
Click HERE to buy your ticket online.
Not a runner? You can also support through in-kind donations. Items needed include:
- Children’s toothbrushes & toothpaste
- Baby barrier cream, wipes, nappies, blankets
- Bath towels, body wash, Vaseline, cotton wool
- Medication support: Donate R67 / R670 / R6 700 / R67 000 for clinic supplies
Click HERE to see the full wishlist.
For details, contact the Pebbles Project team: erica@pebblesproject.co.za | mignon@pebblesproject.co.za
3. Bot River Mandela Day Wine Raffle – Win 80 bottles for a good cause
Back by popular demand, the Botriver Vineyards Association presents its Mandela Day Wine Raffle for 2025. Proceeds support local youth development and upliftment projects – and one lucky wine lover will walk away with an astonishing 80 bottles of premium wine from 13 top producers!
The prize: 6 bottles each from these celebrated wineries: Anysbos, Beaumont, Esc Wines, Gabriëlskloof, Stuart Family Vineyards, Jayne’s, Wildekrans, Villion, Eerstehoop, Waterleliefontein, Genevieve, Arcangeli, and Luddite.
How to enter:
- Buy a ticket for R100 on Quicket
- Follow @botriverwines on Instagram
- The more tickets you buy, the higher your chances!
Draw date: Friday, 18 July 2025 (winner announced on Instagram @botriverwines)
4. McGregor Winery and C3 Heart Network – Donate in exchange for wine
Celebrate Mandela Day with McGregor Winery and the Langeberg C3 Heart Network's Cheers for Change winter drive. Give back and receive a thank-you in the form of a bottle of wine or a tasting!
Donate food, clothing, stationery, or winter items and receive:
- 1 x Bottle of wine
- 1 x Wine tasting at McGregor Winery
Drop-off window: 17 June – 17 July | Weekdays 09h00 – 12h00
Location: NG Church East, Van Zyl Street, Robertson
Token system:
- 3 x stationery sets = 1 token
- 2kg of food, blankets or clothing = 1 token
(Shoes are welcome, but not counted in weight. Pack separately.)
For a full list of accepted donations, click HERE.
Make every minute count this Mandela Month
Whether you're running, walking, packing soup jars, raffling for wine, or simply giving what you can, Mandela Day is about action. Let’s honour Madiba by sharing what we have and showing up for those who need it most.
This July, give back – one minute at a time.
Other projects to keep in mind throughout the year:
- Isabelo, feeding hungry minds in Franschhoek since 2009
- The ACVV Bottles of Ubuntu and Project Winter Hope – contact your nearest ACVV, or click HERE to find drop-off points nationally.
- Every day is Mandela Day at the Carmen Stevens Foundation – donate via GivenGain.