Mandela Day, the Workshop17 Way: Hands On, Hearts In
While many marked Mandela Day with a symbolic 67 minutes, Workshop17 turned up the
volume, stretching time, effort and imagination across the country. From food for shelter
dogs and books for township kids to lunch packs for safety teams and blankets for families in
need, every Workshop17 location became a launchpad for meaningful, ground-level action.
No hashtags, no speeches. Just people showing up and getting it done.
From Ballito to Cape Town, Workshop17 teams and members stepped forward this Mandela
Day with one clear focus: show up, roll up sleeves and make a real difference.
Each Workshop17 location took initiative, driving its own outreach efforts in support of
communities, organisations and individuals doing crucial work on the ground. The result was
a series of direct, personal contributions honouring the spirit of Nelson Mandela, not just for
67 minutes but across the season.
“Our spaces are built on the principle of collaboration,” said Paul Keursten, CEO of
Workshop17. “Mandela Day gives us a moment to extend that collaboration beyond our
doors. Every location shaped its own response, working with local partners and members to
support people who serve their communities every day.”
In Cape Town, all W17 locations partnered with the Kolisi Foundation for a wide-reaching
blanket drive, helping to bring warmth to those in need this winter. Over at W17 20 Kloof
Street, a collaboration with fintech company headquartered at the location, Yoco, and the
animal shelter, Oscar’s Arc, saw people drop off blankets, food and toys for shelter animals,
with the added incentive of a free coffee for donors.
Up in Johannesburg, W17 Hyde Park Corner joined forces with Tshikululu Social
Investments to collect and distribute blankets, while W17 West Street partnered with Afrika
Tikkun’s Phutha Dichaba Centre in Alexandra to gather essential dry goods and non-
perishables for local families.
Meanwhile, W17 Firestation in Rosebank turned the spotlight on literacy. Partnering with
Read Alex Initiative, the team rallied for book donations for children aged 7 to 15,
encouraging participants to include personal notes of encouragement in every book
donated.
In Ballito, Workshop17 staff and members came together early on Mandela Day to prepare
lunch packs for the local Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) and security teams. Each pack
included a handmade thank-you note for those who keep the area safe and clean year-
round.
“Our members bring energy, care and imagination to everything they do. Mandela Day gave
them a chance to show that in ways that matter beyond business,” said Keursten.
Founded in 2012, Workshop17 is a network of shared workspaces across South Africa
designed to support entrepreneurs, teams and businesses of all sizes. With a deep focus on
community and sustainability, the organisation believes in turning workspace into a platform
for connection, growth and social impact.
This year’s Mandela Day efforts underline that mission, transforming every location into a
hub for generosity, empathy and action.
