People around the world were asked by the Nelson Mandela Foundation in partnership with the ANC to give 67 minutes of their time to a charitable cause and Phumelela readily responded to their call to donate meals and blankets to the unfortunate.

Phumelela’s Mpho Ramafalo (Group Business Development and Compliance Executive), Lawrence Kopolo (Human Resources Executive) and company secretary Tony Wintour presented scores of blankets and food packs to Principal Louis Van Wyk for the 390 children at Francis Vorwerg School and also fed 150 homeless people from the area, as well as 150 teachers and VIPs.

Francis Vorwerg School in Haddon, Johannesburg, caters for learners aged three and older who suffer from cerebral palsy and have learning disabilities.

Said Kopolo: "It was an honour and a privilege for our company to be involved in the 67 minutes Mandela Day campaign. We were particularly pleased to have the opportunity to make a contribution towards addressing the plight of the less privileged."

In a letter of thanks to Phumelela, ANC Zone 11 chairperson Sandile Ndlungwane said: "Your company responded with vigour to ensure that Mandela Day was successful and beneficial to the poorest of the poor. Your contribution indeed made a difference to those people’s lives."

International Mandela Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in November last year in celebration of the legacy of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation personified by "Madiba’’. It is the first time the UN has designated an international day in honour of just one person.

The 67 minutes was a reflection of the years Mandela devoted to peacefully fighting for freedom and social justice for all.