Al-Qalam 
Providing blankets to communities across South Africa
Advertorial – AMA Media Team
Each year on 18 July, the nation is called upon to give 67 minutes of service — one for each of the 67 years Madiba devoted to the freedom and dignity of his people. This year’s message from the Nelson Mandela Foundation was as urgent as ever: “It is still in your hands to combat poverty and inequality”. At Africa Muslims Agency, our hope is that your 67 minutes becomes your entrance point into our EmpowerSA programme.
For close to four decades, we have worked together in communities across South Africa — not for a single day, but through every season. When families face hunger, we are there with food. When winter bites hardest, we bring blankets to those who would otherwise sleep cold. When dignity rests on the simplest of essentials, we distribute hygiene kits so that people can face each day with their heads held high. Our donors and supporters have upheld Madiba’s legacy through steady, year-round care that empowers and inspires.
Short-term assistance alone cannot break the cycle of poverty. Mandela understood that education is “the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” and AMA has taken that lesson to heart. Our stationery drives make sure no learner starts the school year empty-handed. Our bursaries open doors for bright young minds who would otherwise be turned away by circumstance. And at the Aman School in Finetown, we are nurturing a new generation — equipping children with the knowledge, confidence and values to keep building a better South Africa long into the future.
“It always seems impossible until it is done.” — Nelson Mandela
At the heart of this work is a simple conviction: giving should be a way of life, not an occasional act. AMA’s volunteer programmes across South Africa are designed to instil that love of giving in everyone who takes part. Volunteers stand beside us at distributions, bring their energy to our events, and help our pop-ups come alive. Some give their time; others give their skills and knowledge — from logistics and photography to teaching and trade. There is no single way to serve. There is only the willingness to show up, and a community ready to welcome you.
This Mandela Day, AMA ran initiatives across the country, from soup kitchens to painting schools to time spent with the elderly – turning Madiba’s call to action into real change. For our teams and volunteers, these activities don’t just take place on Mandela Day, but they take place all year round. Mandela Day serves as an opportunity for us to invite more people to share in our work, and hopefully join us in future initiatives, helping us to grow the legacy of Madiba even further each year.
