Mandela Day, the Workshop17 Way: Hands On, Hearts In

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While many honoured Mandela Day with 67 symbolic minutes of service, Workshop17 redefined the occasion by launching a nationwide initiative grounded in collaboration, compassion, and action. From Cape Town to Ballito, each location under the Workshop17 banner became a catalyst for meaningful, community-driven outreach.

“No hashtags, no speeches, just action,” says Paul Keursten, CEO of Workshop17. “Mandela Day gives us a moment to extend our ethos of collaboration beyond the workplace. Every team crafted its own local response to honour the day in a way that created real value.”

Cape Town: Warmth for Winter

In the Mother City, Workshop17 partnered with the Kolisi Foundation to support a region-wide blanket drive, ensuring vulnerable communities stayed warm through the winter. At W17 20 Kloof Street, collaboration went one step further with Yoco (a fintech company housed at the location) and Oscar’s Arc dog shelter. Staff and members donated food, blankets, and toys to shelter animals—and were rewarded with a free coffee for their generosity.

Johannesburg: Feeding Families and Warming Hearts

At W17 Hyde Park Corner, a joint initiative with Tshikululu Social Investments collected blankets for local charities, while the West Street team in Sandton worked hand-in-hand with Afrika Tikkun’s Phutha Dichaba Centre in Alexandra. Their campaign gathered much-needed dry goods and non-perishables for families facing hardship this winter.

Meanwhile, at W17 Firestation in Rosebank, the spotlight turned to literacy. Partnering with the Read Alex Initiative, they collected children’s books for ages 7 to 15, encouraging donors to include heartfelt notes of encouragement inside the pages, turning each donation into a personal gift of inspiration.

Ballito: Gratitude in a Lunch Pack

On the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, the Ballito team embraced Mandela Day with a dawn assembly line. Staff and members packed nutritious lunches for the local Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) and security teams, complete with handwritten thank-you notes to show appreciation for those who keep the neighbourhood safe and clean every day.

A Network Built on Collaboration

Since its founding in 2012, Workshop17 has grown into a national network of shared workspaces supporting entrepreneurs, startups, and corporates. But it’s more than just co-working, it’s a platform for connection, sustainability, and social impact.

“Our members bring energy, care and imagination to everything they do,” says Keursten. “Mandela Day gave them a chance to show that in ways that matter beyond business.”

This year’s grassroots campaign is proof that with just a little coordination and a lot of heart, office spaces can become launchpads for kindness, and workplaces can serve as true community pillars.