Nelson Mandela Day campaign – It’s Still in Our Hands

22nd June, 2026

At Cotton On Foundation, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through our Education model and Child’s Journey framework, we know that learning starts with meeting a child’s basic needs. That’s why nutritious meals are a critical part of our commitment to holistic education.

In KwaMashu, South Africa, learners at Ethekwini Primary School and Dr JL Dube High School start each day with a nutritious breakfast, helping them arrive in the classroom ready to learn. These meals improve concentration, attendance and wellbeing, giving students the best chance to succeed.

Our support across both schools reflects the connected approach of our Child’s Journey model. By investing across multiple stages of education, we’re helping create a pathway that supports young people from primary school through to secondary education and beyond.

For several years, Cotton On Foundation has supported school feeding programs in KwaMashu, recognising that nutrition and education go hand in hand. Daily breakfast programs ensure learners are nourished, focused and ready to make the most of every school day.

This commitment takes on special significance during Nelson Mandela Day, one of the most important moments on the South African calendar. Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s belief in the power of collective action, the day reminds us that creating a better future is a responsibility we all share.

This July, funds raised will support Cotton On Foundation’s school feeding program which provides daily breakfast porridge to 3,000 learners across our partner schools in KwaMashu. At just R3 per child, per day, the donation is simple, tangible and powerful.

Because a nutritious breakfast is more than a meal. It’s a foundation for learning, confidence and opportunity.

Nelson Mandela once said, “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” Decades later, that message remains as relevant as ever. Whether it’s providing a meal, supporting a school or investing in a child’s future, meaningful change begins with collective action.

Because when it comes to creating real change for young people, it’s still In Our Hands.