On Friday, 24 July 2026, the Helderberg International School community came together to celebrate Mandela Day in a way that reflected the true spirit of service, compassion and generosity. Students from Nursery through to Year 12 took part in our Mandela Day Sandwich Drive and Walkathon, embracing this year’s theme, “To Lighten the Load.”

The day began with our walkathon, where students carried backpacks filled with donated food items, including rice, maize meal, pasta, tinned goods and fresh produce. With each lap around the track, they removed items from their backpacks and added them to the growing collection of donations.

As the bags became lighter, students experienced a simple but powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can help ease the burdens carried by others. Many students took this idea one step further by donating their backpacks at the end of the walk, ensuring they could continue to serve a purpose long after the event.

After the walkathon, classrooms became busy sandwich-making stations as students worked together to prepare hundreds of fresh sandwiches using the bread and spreads donated by our families. It was wonderful to see students of all ages contributing with enthusiasm, knowing that every sandwich would provide a meal for someone in need. To round off the morning, our Year 12 students hosted a braai and served delicious boerewors rolls to the school, adding to the sense of community and celebration that filled the day.

The response from our school community was truly overwhelming. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our families, staff and friends, we collected far more than we had hoped for. This meant we were able to provide significant donations to both of our chosen organisations:
Emily’s Play School in Sir Lowry’s Village
The Smiling Child in Strand
The donations included non-perishable food, fresh produce, sandwich ingredients, prepared sandwiches and other essential items that will help provide nutritious meals for many children in the weeks ahead. Every contribution, whether large or small, played a part in making a meaningful difference.

To everyone who donated food, packed a backpack, made sandwiches, walked laps, helped with the organisation or simply encouraged others—thank you. A special word of appreciation goes to Mrs Gardella and Mrs Mack for coordinating the event, our dedicated staff for their support throughout the day, our SRC for their enthusiasm and leadership, and our wonderful parents and learners whose generosity made the day such a success.

Mandela Day reminds us that changing lives does not always require grand gestures. It begins with people who are willing to give what they can, work together and care for others. Once again, the Helderberg International School community showed just how much can be achieved when we all do our part to lighten the load.

Claire Mack  English Teacher