South Africa – Cape Town
Moving beyond 67 minutes: Creating a lasting impact
This year, Fine Chemicals Corporation (“FCC”) approached Mandela Day differently — moving beyond a once-off act of giving towards a sustainable approach focused on creating lasting value and impact.
At the heart of this year’s initiatives are FCC’s Three Pillars for Sustainable Growth: Skills Transfer, Sustainable Resource Support and Capacity Building.
On 31 August 2026, FCC engaged with three community beneficiaries namely Leliebloem Children’s House, Fikelela Children’s House and Life Cycle Development Centre.
Making Support Meaningful
FCC allocated R60 000 to Mandela Day which was shared equally among the three beneficiaries. Each organisation identified resources that would provide practical value to their specific needs.
Leliebloem Children’s House cares for approximately 60 children aged four to 18 years. These children have been removed from troubled families or their primary caregiver by Child Protection Agencies and placed at the home for 2 years via the children’s court for specialist care and intervention programs. Some children are from single-parent families where unemployment, alcohol, or drug abuse is prevalent, while others are neglected and abused, either sexually, physically, or emotionally or have lost a parent, guardian or are orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
Leliebloem received microwaves, toasters and kettles, as well as improvements to their staff accommodation. FCC will also provide training in Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (“OSHE”) training, emergency preparedness, firefighting, youth career guidance and leadership.
Fikelela Children’s House, established in Khayelitsha in 2001, supports 40 vulnerable children from birth to eight years of age who have been affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS. All the children at Fikelela have been abandoned and orphaned, neglected, or abused. Many of them are nursed back to health and administered antiretroviral medication, as needed, under the supervision of trained medical professionals.
Fikelela received essential health and safety equipment, including CPR training equipment, oximeters, blood pressure machines and a first aid box. FCC will provide leadership, team building and computer literacy training to the team who takes care of the children.
Life Cycle Development Centre, located in Mfuleni, supports 15 vulnerable children and young people of various ages with a vision of promoting independence for persons with disabilities. They promote equality by encouraging their members to participate in various activities. This Centre received a laptop, printer and scanner, and a laminating machine to strengthen its operational and administrative capacity. FCC will also provide leadership, basic computer literacy and OSHE training.
While these resources address immediate needs, the intention is to ensure that the support provided by FCC creates value well beyond Mandela Day. Over the coming months, FCC’s department leaders will present training sessions, turning the initial engagement into an ongoing programme of support and knowledge sharing.
The Three Pillars for Sustainable Growth
1. Skills Transfer
FCC employees will share their knowledge and expertise to strengthen the skills and capabilities of each beneficiary organisation.
2. Sustainable Resource Support
Resources are selected based on the specific needs of each organisation, helping them to operate more effectively and continue delivering essential services.
3. Capacity Building
Through knowledge sharing, tools and good practices, FCC aims to help beneficiaries build stronger and more sustainable organisations.
From giving to growing
This year's Mandela Day initiative reflects a shift in how FCC approaches community impact. It is not only about what we give, but what our contribution makes possible.
A piece of equipment can improve daily operations. Training can build confidence and capability. Better resources can strengthen service delivery. And shared knowledge can continue creating value long after the initial engagement.
Mandela Day has therefore become the starting point of an ongoing partnership rather than a once-off event.
By combining practical resources, skills and capacity building, FCC is working to create impact that extends beyond a single day — supporting organisations that make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people every day.
Because the greatest measure of our impact is not what we give on one day, but what continues to grow because we shared.
Together, we are building sustainable futures.
