Every year on 18 July, South Africans and people around the world come together to celebrate Mandela Day — a day to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy by giving back.

Madiba believed that each person has the power to make a difference. And it doesn’t have to be big or expensive. In fact, some of the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest impact — especially in your own community.

6 Simple Ways to Make a Difference This Mandela Day

You don’t need money to do something meaningful. You just need heart. Here are a few small but powerful ways to give back:

1. Check on someone who lives alone

A short visit or a phone call can lift someone’s spirits more than you know.

2. Share your skills

Can you fix something? Help with homework? Braid hair? Teach someone how to use a smartphone? That’s value.

3. Cook an extra portion

If you're making pap or stew, consider dropping off a plate for a neighbour who’s having a hard time.

4. Help someone understand a form or document

Many people feel overwhelmed by paperwork — especially for things like SASSA, school applications, or job CVs.

5. Be kind to children and elders

Whether it’s walking a child home safely or helping an elder carry groceries, care goes a long way.

6. Take care of your family after you're gone

Looking after your people doesn’t stop with food or time. It also means planning ahead — so that if something happens to you, they’re not left with worry.

That’s where life insurance can help. It’s a small monthly cost that ensures your family will be financially protected if you're no longer there to provide for them. It's not about fear — it's about love, dignity, and responsibility.

In the Words of Madiba: "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others..."

So this Mandela Day, look around. Who can you lift up, even just a little? Your kindness could be the thing that gives someone else the courage to keep going.