As Mandela Day approaches, corporate South Africa prepares for the annual routine: 67 minutes of service, feel-good social media posts, and the collective sense that business is contributing to social change.
“But what happens on 19 July?” asks Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications at DKMS Africa.
She continues, “Mandela Day stirs hearts and headlines, but complex social challenges won’t be solved in 67 minutes. What’s needed is consistent, year-round engagement that addresses root causes. Fortunately, Corporate South Africa is already evolving.”
South African companies invested R12.7 billion in social initiatives last year, with just 100 companies accounting for 76% of that spending. The landscape is, however, shifting from one-off donations toward deeper partnerships.
Mokomele explains that companies are leveraging their full resources, not just funding, but expertise,…