Pre-Mandela Day collection drive aims to assist Alexandra Township

Used can recovery company, Collect-a-Can partnered with Nelson Mandela Square and SAfm to host a pre-Mandela Day collection drive at the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton City that is currently underway until 17 July 2013. Making a substantial difference to the lives of those in need, this campaign encourages South Africans to take action and help improve literacy and nutrition in Alexandra Township by donating non-perishable foods and reading books.

"With the third annual collection drive we hope to collect 8000 non-perishable food items and books," says Mashudu Muthakhi, marketing manager for Nelson Mandela Square. "Donations can be dispensed in big sealed containers positioned at several locations within Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square."

Commitment to national priorities

This campaign will lead up to International Mandela Day on 18 July 2013, when South Africans are encouraged to give 67 minutes of their time to society in lieu of the 67 years that Nelson Mandela spent dedicated to humanitarian causes. On this day, Iphutheng Primary School in Alexandra Township will receive the goods collected over the 17-day period and a fully stocked container library, sponsored by Collect-a-Can to help advance education in the area.

Collect-a-Can is committed to South Africa's national priorities through its dedication to education, lowering the unemployment rate through entrepreneurship development and conserving the environment through various recycling and clean-up initiatives.

"We are passionate about the education of our youth, particularly about getting our youngsters to read," says Zimasa Velaphi, public relations and marketing manager at Collect-a-Can. "We also recognise that when individuals are educated and informed about the importance of preserving their environment, they will become more environmentally responsible citizens."

Collect-a-Can encourages all South Africans to join the International Mandela Day initiative, to get involved with community projects and recycling initiatives in their local area and to give 67 minutes of their time to help change the world for the better.

For more information, go to www.collectacan.co.za.