By KOPANO MONAHENG
Every year, South Africa celebrates thousands of matric learners who pass with distinctions, applauding their hard work as they prepare to further their studies at universities and TVET colleges across the country. Their achievements are a source of pride for families, schools and communities.
However, these learners did not reach matric on their own. Their success is the result of years of support from parents, teachers and communities who nurtured them from an early age. Organisations such as Ladles of Love have also played a big role by supporting early childhood development across South Africa, ensuring that these children have access to nutritious meals and quality learning resources.
Since 2014, this non-profit organisation Ladles of Love has been providing healthy meals every day to children attending more than 170 preschool facilities across the country.
Speaking during a Mandela Month 67 Minutes campaign at the Nasrec Expo Centre, Ladles of Love CEO and founder Danny Diliberto said the organisation’s mission was to help children succeed academically by giving them the best possible start in life. “We’re here today at the Mandela Day 2026 initiative. We did Cape Town on Friday, the 17th. We decided to split it because I think it’s better because it makes with more like a Mandela month instead of a Mandela day,” he said.
They started the 67 minutes campaign last year and this year is even more bigger. “It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year, so by donating R300 to come and do your 67 minutes. That R300 goes towards Ladles, and R300 provides a child two nutritious meals a day for a month.”
As part of the campaign, volunteers from various corporate companies like Standard Bank, NGL Logistics Group, Siyoyisile Indlala Community Farm And Projects, Europcar and others packed food parcels, created educational drawings for children and donated ready-to-plant vegetable seedlings to community food gardeners across Gauteng.
Diliberto said it was inspiring to see so many people come together in support of South Africa’s children and education.
He emphasised that South Africa must invest more in Early Childhood Development (ECD), as the foundation of every successful learner is built long before they enter high school. Quality early education helps children develop the literacy, numeracy and social skills they need to thrive throughout their academic journey.
Diliberto added that supporting ECD is not only an investment in young children but also in the country’s future. If Mzansi wants to produce more top achievers, skilled professionals and future leaders, it must ensure that every child has access to quality early childhood education and the support they need to reach their full potential.
