Humanitarian and relief organisation, Islamic Relief South Africa (IRSA), will mark International Nelson Mandela Day 2015 by hosting community outreach programmes in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
At the NGO’s Osizweni Community Centre, situated in Ennerdale in the south of Johannesburg, more than 150 volunteers will come together to clean up the communal vegetable garden that feeds more than 300 children a day.
“There are more than 20 garden beds and the fruit and vegetables grown on site is used to feed our rights holders who frequent the centre. Some of the produce is also sold to the extended community to generate an income for the Osizweni centre.”
Meanwhile in Cape Town, Islamic Relief will be partnering up with local community organisations, the Santos football club and the Department of Women to distribute blankets and other essentials to needy families in areas such as Saldanha (West Coast) and Lwandle (Helderberg).
Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Project
This year’s Mandela Day campaign will also put the spotlight on the fight against childhood cancer.
As part of a global family, Islamic Relief Worldwide, we have committed $10 million towards a new state of the art and research-driven, Islamic Relief Oncology Centre of Excellence, at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg.
According to IRSA Country Director, Yusuf Patel, the hospital will primarily serve the continent of Africa where only four children’s hospitals exist. Construction on the site began last year.
“The basement parking and first floor are already completed. Construction has now moved on to the second and third floors. Since the groundbreaking ceremony, to see the progress thus far is truly remarkable and overwhelming.”
CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust, Sibongile Mkhabela, commended Islamic Relief’s efforts in raising funds for this project which is a fitting tribute to the legacy of the South African political icon.
“We at the Hospital Trust are humbled by the support of Islamic Relief [and] would like to thank their global donor community for this awe-inspiring donation.”
For more information on our current projects and appeals, call us toll free on 0800 111 898 or visit www.islamic-relief.org.za.
For media interviews please contact:
Ms Shanaaz Ebrahim-Gire
Communications Manager
Office: 021 696 0145
Mobile: 078 377 7117
Email: [email protected]