Every year, Mandela Day invites people across South Africa and around the world to give 67 minutes of their time in service of others, honouring the 67 years Nelson Mandela dedicated to fighting for freedom and justice. For us as The Message Trust team, this year’s Mandela Day held an even deeper significance. Drakenstein Prison, where Mandela took his final walk to freedom, is one of the prisons where we continue to serve today through our ministry work. Inspired by the spirit of Mandela Day, we decided to go beyond 67 minutes and dedicate an entire day to serving our Nyanga Community Hub.
Located on the grounds of our partner church, New Crossroads Baptist Church, the Nyanga Community Hub is a place of hope and opportunity for young people in the community. Over time, however, litter and dumping on the church property had left the grounds in need of some care and attention. We saw Mandela Day as the perfect opportunity to come together and show love to a place that serves so many.
Twelve members of our Message team joined forces with more than 60 young people from the local community. Led by Saki, our Nyanga Community Hub Leader, the young people we serve were invited to take ownership of the space and work alongside us. Cars were packed, sleeves were rolled up, and everyone arrived ready to make a difference.
Throughout the day, teams spread out across the property, clearing litter from the grounds and deep-cleaning both the inside and outside of the container classrooms. While our original plan was to paint the containers, the weather had other ideas. Rather than letting the conditions derail the day, everyone adapted quickly, sanding surfaces, preparing walls, and removing rust to ensure the containers would be ready for painting in the coming weeks.
As we cleared the grounds, we came across several painted rocks amongst the rubbish. The stones, which had been placed around the containers years ago, served as a reminder of the long-standing partnership with Omni HR Consulting and their investment in donating and creating a space that continues to serve young people in Nyanga today.
Thanks to the generous support of the Insurance Institute of the Western Cape (IIWC), lunch was provided for everyone serving on the day. The turnout exceeded all expectations, and there were so many people involved that we actually ran out of food. One of the things that stood out most was the incredible attitude of everyone involved. From the moment they arrived, people simply got stuck in. There was no hesitation, no waiting to be asked. It was especially encouraging to see so many young people showing up to serve. Saki had challenged members of the Saki Rugby programme, which is based at the hub, to come and lend a hand, and they responded in force.
While significant progress was made, the work is not yet complete. Over the next few weeks, our team will return to paint the containers. We are also looking for donations of furniture to refresh and replenish some of the items that have served the hub faithfully for many years.
Mandela Day may only call for 67 minutes, but this year it reminded us that lasting impact is built through ongoing commitment. We are deeply grateful to every staff member, young person, partner, and supporter who gave their time to make the day possible. Together, we helped restore a space that continues to bring hope and opportunity to the Nyanga community, and we’re excited to see what comes next.
How you can help: If you would like to support the Nyanga Community Hub, we are currently looking for donations of furniture to help improve the space. We’d also value your prayers for Saki, the young people connected to the hub, and the ongoing work taking place in the community.
