Ahead of Nelson Mandela Day 2026 tomorrow, the Coega Development Corporation (Coega) revisited two of its longstanding beneficiary sites in Gqeberha to hand over essential donations, expand environmental initiatives, and strengthen local food security.
Under the theme, Revisit. Reconnect. Rebuild Impact, Coega employees built on the foundational work that began in 2024 and 2025, ensuring that collective efforts leave a lasting, meaningful footprint.
Volunteers and partners from community-based environmental organisation, Hlumani Nande, expanded the existing food garden at the Motherwell Envirohub, while Coega employee representatives delivered non-perishable goods and clothing donations to the Door of Hope Children’s Home in Sydenham.
Coega Sustainability Manager, Mr. Simphiwe Silwana, emphasised that the 2026 initiatives aimed to transcend the traditional 67 Minutes of Activism concept: “Our mission was to go beyond a single day of service and focus on creating sustainable, lasting change where it matters the most. From strengthening community food gardens to enhancing eco-educational spaces and transforming a garden harvest into immediate nourishment for the community, our goal was to empower beneficiaries with the resources they need to thrive daily. Thank you to our employees for their generosity. The garden continues to support the local soup kitchen, and the children at the Door of Hope are reminded that they are cared for and valued.”
Mr. Azola Ntshoko, Director and Garden Coordinator at Hlumani Nande and Chairperson at the Motherwell Envirohub, highlighted the impact of the community food garden since inception: “Since launching in July 2025 with Coega, the garden has become a functional part of our operations. In December 2025, we established a soup kitchen, which now benefits from our garden’s harvest. This has allowed us to become more self-sufficient. Supplemented by other business activities at the Envirohub, the garden also serves the local community members, who can purchase fresh vegetables and seedlings. Looking ahead, our next milestone is to venture into agro-processing, transforming herbs and vegetables into other products like powders,” shared Ntshoko.
Door of Hope House mother, affectionately known as Mama Patience, expressed gratitude for Coega’s consistency, noting that Coega has become a part of their family: “Thank you for choosing us. We are so appreciative of everything you do,” she shared.
Beyond Gqeberha, Coega’s commitment to sustainable development is reflected in Mandela Day projects across its other operational areas, including KwaZulu-Natal, where regional teams will embark on community-led activities.
Reflecting on the day, Coega volunteer, Ms. Luyolo Nkomana, expressed pride in the efforts made to contribute to the local community: “I am incredibly proud to be a part of an organisation that is intentional about its Mandela Day efforts year in, year out. Seeing how the garden has flourished motivates me to come back next year to see the growth and impact of the seeds I planted today.”
Through service, partnership, the promotion of food security, and the advancement of sustainable practices, Coega remains dedicated to supporting community resilience, environmental preservation, and long-term socio-economic impact.
