Mandela Day 2025 witnessed the local film and entertainment industry uniting in Heideveld, not to tell screen stories, but to help write one in real life. SA FILM Academy Marketing rep, Sihle Buthelezi reports:

GCU Educare, a vibrant, Heideveld Early Childhood Development centre, was the site of this year’s 67 Minutes initiative. led by Project Arcadia in partnership with GREENSET, Film Afrika Entertainment, the SA FILM Academy and Crew Collective.

‘The mission was simple but powerful: To serve – using the skills developed in the industry – to uplift a space that nurtures the next generation.

‘For Starters a vibrant, imaginative mural on the interior wall of the centre, designed to inspire creativity and joy, now offers a daily reminder to the learners that their stories matter. While some brought the walls to life with colour, others installed a well-point pump and tap.

‘We also delivered and connected a 5 000-litre rainwater tank, ensuring that GCU Educare has a more sustainable water source for the future.

‘Attention was then focused on the garden. Two flower beds were composted and planted with a mix of 24 awesome plants. Three new trees were placed around the property. Along the perimeter fence, ten bougainvilleas and ten shrubs were planted to bring colour, shade and long-term growth to the space. We also built two large planter boxes on site and positioned two potted trees, completing a welcoming outdoor environment where children can learn, play and dream.

`Mid-morning, the grounds came alive with the sound of music. A celebratory, center dance choir, joyfully performed with movement and song, their raw energy reminding us why Mandela Day exists: to serve with love, to build together, and to honour the legacy of those who paved the path to freedom.

`This initiative was more than a symbolic gesture, it was a true demonstration of collective action and shared responsibility. It reflected what is possible when those behind the scenes of South Africa’s entertainment industry unite with purpose, compassion and a willingness to give back.

`Nelson Mandela once said, “What counts in life is not that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

`This Mandela Day, that difference was made not just through service, but through unity, creativity and care.

A living expression of Ubuntu in Action.