The campaign aims to raise R670 000 to support one of the largest community healthcare days in the Western Cape, bringing doctors, medical students, healthcare professionals, community workers, volunteers, NGOs, corporates and service providers together under one roof, says the campaign.

The healthcare day is confirmed to take place at Marconi Beam Primary School in Joe Slovo, Cape Town, where the goal is to serve 670 patients in a single day.

Through BackaBuddy, the campaign has already raised more than R32 000, with support from more than 100 donors, adds the campaign.

Turning 67 Minutes Into 670 Lives

Mandela Day is built on the idea that every person can make a difference.

For Falling Forward Foundation and The Impilo Project, that difference is being measured in patients reached, screenings completed, consultations provided, and people connected to further care.

For many South Africans, access to healthcare remains difficult. Long waiting times, transport costs, overcrowded clinics, delayed diagnoses and limited access to preventative healthcare often mean that health concerns are only addressed once they become serious, says the campaign.

The campaign aims to bring care closer to the people who need it most, with a primary focus on the Joe Slovo and surrounding communities.

"At the heart of the Falling Forward Foundation is the belief that real change happens when people come together," says Rachel Kolisi, Founder of the Falling Forward Foundation. "We know there are incredible organisations, healthcare professionals, and community leaders already doing life-changing work every day. Our role is to help create platforms that bring those efforts together, increase visibility, and unlock resources so that we can reach more people and create lasting impact. Mandela Day reminds us that every act of service matters, and together we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of hundreds of South Africans."

That shared purpose is simple: 670 patients, one Mandela Day, and a collective effort to make healthcare more accessible.

More Than A Once-Off Screening

The Mandela Day healthcare event will be delivered as a joint Falling Forward Foundation and The Impilo Project initiative.

The Impilo Project is a community-based healthcare initiative focused on bringing quality primary healthcare into underserved communities. Over the past two years, The Impilo Project has served more than 3 000 patients through health days, screenings, education, referral pathways and ongoing community-based care, adds the campaign.

This Mandela Day campaign represents an opportunity to scale that impact further and show what is possible when organisations, businesses, healthcare professionals and communities work together.

"Over the past two years, we have seen the incredible impact that collaborative healthcare can have in communities," says Dr Dale Smith, Co-Founder of The Impilo Project. "This campaign is an opportunity to extend that impact even further and ensure hundreds more people receive the care, support, and dignity they deserve."

An Impilo Healthcare Day is designed to be more than a basic screening event. Patients will be able to access a range of healthcare and support services, including general medical consultations, women's health support, breast screenings, TB and HIV screening and education, gender-based violence support, dental care, mental health and counselling support, nutrition guidance, social support services, legal and community support referrals, and healthcare technology and diagnostics.

The model is designed to offer immediate help while also connecting patients to longer-term healthcare pathways and follow-up support.

A Collaboration Model For Real Impact

Falling Forward Foundation's role is to amplify the work already being done by organisations on the ground.

Rather than creating a separate service, the foundation is helping to bring together funding partners, volunteers, healthcare professionals, brands, service providers and community supporters so that The Impilo Project can extend its reach, says the campaign.

The campaign is also a strong example of Falling Forward Foundation's mission to create platforms that amplify organisations already doing impactful work in South Africa. Both Falling Forward Foundation and The Impilo Project are central to the story and to the delivery of the Mandela Day healthcare event.

Organisations already involved in the broader Impilo healthcare ecosystem include AI Diagnostics, which supports AI-powered TB screening, RES Healthcare, SHAWCO, MOSAIC, the UCT Faculty of Dentistry, iloveboobies, and a growing network of partners contributing services, expertise and volunteer support throughout the year, adds the campaign.

Through this Mandela Day campaign, that collaborative approach is being put into action around a clear, urgent and practical healthcare goal.

What The Funds Will Cover

The campaign’s R670 000 goal will help fund the medical and operational costs required to serve 670 patients in one day.

Funds raised will support medical services and equipment, healthcare screening stations, patient registration and data systems, volunteer support, community health worker programmes, healthcare technology and diagnostics, food and refreshments for patients and volunteers, and the operational costs needed to deliver the day safely and effectively.

The campaign is also calling on corporates, businesses, foundations and individuals to support the initiative through financial contributions, services, products, volunteer time, or sponsorship of healthcare stations.

Whether someone gives R67, R670, or sponsors part of the healthcare day, each contribution helps bring care, dignity and support to people who may otherwise go without.

A Mandela Day Call To Action

This Mandela Day, the campaign is asking South Africans to move beyond symbolic service and help fund a day of direct, practical healthcare impact.

For 670 patients, the event could mean a consultation they have delayed, a screening they could not access, a referral they needed, or the first step toward ongoing care, says the campaign.

It is a reminder that access to healthcare is not only a medical issue. It is also about dignity, prevention, early intervention and giving people the support to take care of themselves and their families.

With public support, Falling Forward Foundation and The Impilo Project hope to turn Mandela Day into a day where 670 people receive care, support and connection to services that can continue beyond 18 July, concludes the campaign,

To support the 67 Minutes. 670 Lives. Mandela Day Campaign, visit the BackaBuddy campaign page.

For more information, visit www.fallingforwardfoundation.co.za.

*Image courtesy of www.fallingforwardfoundation.co.za