Each year on the 18 of July, South Africans and global citizens alike pause to reflect on the legacy of Nelson Mandela – a man who taught the world that small, consistent acts of kindness and service can reshape entire communities. While Mandela Day is marked on the calendar just once a year, its message is timeless: real change is possible, and it starts with us.
This year, Interwaste-Masakhane, in collaboration with Petra Diamonds, has taken that message to heart by initiating a campaign that combines dignity, sustainability, and community care.
A Partnership for Impact
In celebration of Mandela Day 2025, Interwaste-Masakhane and Petra Diamonds are proud to be donating 5040 biodegradable sanitary pads to Danielskuil Intermediary School in Danielskuil, Northern Cape. The handover will take place when schools reopen for the third term on the 1st of August 2025.
This initiative, built on shared values of community upliftment and sustainable innovation, addresses two important needs: access to menstrual health products and the importance of reducing non-recyclable waste. By providing learners with biodegradable sanitary pads, the campaign not only restores dignity and supports school attendance but also reduces the environmental burden of conventional sanitary products.
“Finsch Diamond Mine is passionate about serving our community, with a strong focus on empowering young women. We believe in creating abundance in rarity. In partnership with Masakhane Interwaste, we have donated dignity towels, a vital resource that helps keep young women in school. We are proud of this initiative as it is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we and our partners work together pulling to the same direction, united by a shared purpose and commitment to serve our community in Kgatelopele Local Municipality.”
A Legacy Worth Carrying Forward
At its core, this campaign echoes what Interwaste stands for every day: a commitment to serving land and life through practical, scalable, and people-centred solutions. While the Mandela Day calendar moment may come and go, the work continues – in every partnership formed, every product responsibly sourced, and every community uplifted through thoughtful environmental action.
As the learners at Danielskuil Intermediary School head into a new term with support in hand, this initiative stands as a reminder that legacy is built not through grand gestures, but through consistent and collective action.
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