Give & Take: Giving Back on Mandela Day - Planting Seeds of Change with Ladles of Love

Every year on July 18th, South Africans and the world commemorate Nelson Mandela’s legacy with action. Mandela Day is not just a date on the calendar; it’s a call to give 67 minutes of your time in service of others, a tribute to the 67 years Mandela dedicated to fighting for social justice.

This year, Prosek South Africa proudly answered that call by partnering with Ladles of Love, one of the country’s most impactful food relief organizations, to contribute toward a more food-secure future through the creation of GROW boxes.

Fighting Hunger One Ladle at a Time

Ladles of Love began in 2014 when founder Danny Diliberto, once a restaurateur, decided to serve soup once a week to Cape Town’s homeless. What started as a small act of kindness quickly evolved into a large-scale operation that today symbolizes hope, dignity, and resilience.

Their impact is significant, and the need is urgent:

• 17% of South Africans face food insecurity
• Over 8 million people experience hunger
• Nearly 7 million households are affected by food shortages

These figures, updated as of May 2023, paint a clear picture of why initiatives like Ladles of Love are vital.

Growing a Sustainable Future with GROW

This Mandela Day, Prosek joined forces with Ladles of Love to support GROW, the organization’s urban farming initiative. The GROW program empowers schools, early childhood development (ECD) centres, and communities to grow their own food by providing them with resources, training, and mentorship.

Each GROW box is more than just a garden, it’s a tool for transformation. It cultivates:

• Sustainable urban farming
• Fresh produce access
• Local job creation
• Farming and business education
• Community independence from food aid

By planting these seeds, we’re fostering not just food, but resilience, dignity, and long-term impact.

A Lasting Legacy

Nelson Mandela once said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.” On Mandela Day 2025, Prosek and Ladles of Love took that sentiment to heart by investing in food sustainability for South African communities.

Because when we grow together, we thrive together.