Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “Our purpose, To improve the health and quality of life of patients is closely aligned to the ethos of Mandela Day. This has been clearly demonstrated through our endeavours to provide citizens across the continent with vaccines which are manufactured in South Africa for Africa. Aspen has participated in Mandela Day since 2011 and we continue to endorse the campaign which this year calls on people across the world to “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”.  Our employees have shown their humanitarian spirit celebrating Mandela Day globally in spite of the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. They have stood firm and continued to reach out and make a difference in the lives of others, particularly during recent years when the world needed a touch of kindness the most.”

“Through Mandela Day, we live our ethos of Healthcare. We Care as we work alongside an extensive range of beneficiaries across 6 continents,” added Saad. “These include abandoned, neglected, orphaned or abused babies, children and women; the elderly, hungry and homeless; individuals dealing with mental wellness challenges; students who are eager to be educated; those who are disabled; victims of the Ukrainian conflict; residents at social rehabilitation institutions; and healthcare facilities and their patients who are in dire need of support and equipment, among others.”

The Nelson Mandela Foundation’s focus for 2022 is to promote community and home-based gardens, supporting fruit and indigenous tree planting, and creating awareness of the intersections between food security and climate change. Similarly, a number of Aspen’s activities include environmental efforts such as tree planting; garden maintenance, preservation and enhancement; repackaging, repurposing and distributing surplus food; recycling and fighting pollution.

Aspen’s Mandela Day projects cover a wide spectrum of initiatives that include healthcare, nutrition, education, social enhancement and development, infrastructural improvements, animal well-being, preserving the environment, and providing employees with the opportunity to show kindness to citizens of all ages from all walks of life.

Since initiating our annual Mandela Day Campaign in 2011, Aspen has impacted the lives of some 880 000 beneficiaries through more than 810 projects hosted across 40 countries.