Mandela Day is a tradition that SCP Radiology prioritises every year. 2024 was no different and it was once again wonderful to witness the spirit of compassion and enthusiasm our staff displayed for organisations in their local communities.

Branch teams get to choose, plan and execute their own projects. The teams and organisations they chose to support this year, included the CANSA Tygerberg Care Home, Avian Park Primary School in Worcester, Yum Yum Organisation in Paarl, Wellington SPCA, MES Cape Town, The Haven Night Shelter in Bellville, hospital support staff in Vredenburg and Cape Gate, and the SPAR Petals initiative.

“We are grateful for staff who live their values at work and beyond,” says SCP HR Manager Maryke Smit. “Therefore, we wholeheartedly support them in wanting to make a difference. That’s why we gladly create opportunities for them to volunteer their time on Mandela Day.”

She says the Mandela Day initiative has the added effect of creating a great sense of purpose and cohesion among team members.

“We are fortunate to have staff who are kind and collaborative as a matter of principle. Initiatives like our annual Mandela Day campaign allows them to take those shared values beyond our own practice and work together for their local communities. As an organisation, we thank them for supporting their local communities so freely.”

Documenting the events of the day, these are some picture highlights:

The Worcester team reached out to Avian Park Primary School and ensured that 112 children in dire need received a school uniform, durable shoes, and stationery packs. An intensive admin exercise to match the right sizes shoes and uniforms with the right kids was followed by a team visit to the school and a personal hand-over of each package.

In Paarl, the team reached out to the Yum Yum safe haven for abused children, founded by a woman our team had met during last year’s outreach. The biggest need was for the roof to be fixed, toiletries for the children, and much-needed essentials. The team also organised a fix-up and donations at the SPCA in Wellington.

The team in Vredenburg reached out to the community closest to them: the porters and ambulance, security, kitchen, laundry, and cleaning staff of Life West Coast Private Hospital. Team Cape Gate did the same for the emergency personnel working at Mediclinic. Our staff felt that a token of appreciation, encouragement and support would do wonders for these teams. The Cape Gate branch also “adopted” a room at CANSA’s residence for oncology patients at Tygerberg Hospital.

Our teams from Durbanville, Willowbridge, Tygervalley Mammography Centre and Cape Town MRI collaborated on an outreach to the MES homeless shelter in Bellville. The greatest needs were shower and hygiene packs, stimulating activities, and non-perishables for the kitchen. Our team combined their delivery visit with two creative sessions that our staff facilitated and the residents thoroughly enjoyed.

The Panorama team visited The Haven Night Shelter. They spent time with the residents and handed out quality blankets and beanies as protection against the winter cold.

Administrative staff adopted two rooms to upgrade at CANSA’s residence for oncology patients at Tygerberg Hospital. An entire floor was also kitted out with waterproof mattress and pillow protectors, and much-needed bathroom, laundry and kitchen essentials were donated.

Another team that chose to support the CANSA residence was Louis Leipoldt, who put together toiletry packs and pantry essentials. The team could also gift a new microwave oven and industrial mop trolley, and donated a trolley full of sanitary pads to the SPAR Petals project.

For more information about SCP Radiology’s social responsibility initiatives, click here.