Greater Good South Africa

“It’s in your hands to make the world a better place,” said Nelson Mandela at his 90th birthday celebrations when he appealed to all citizens to rise up and do something. Now, every year on his birthday, 18 July, South Africans are called on to contribute 67 minutes of community service on a day now recognised by the United Nations as an international day of humanitarian action. 

Despite the fact that as a nation, we talk a lot about ‘ubuntu’, we still don’t compare favourably by global standards when it comes to volunteering. According to the World Giving Index 2010 [1], the Central African Republic scores top points with 47% of their population volunteering their time, followed by 41% of New Zealanders and 39% of Americans. South Africans score a rather disappointing 19%.

Building a nation
But with the renewed sense of national pride created by the World Cup and a growing interest in community service around campaigns like Mandela Day, we believe that we have reached a tipping point for volunteer action in South Africa.

“Our philosophy is that everyone has something to give – and making a difference doesn’t have to cost you anything. Volunteering is about using resources that are readily available - our time, skills and energy – to uplift our communities.” says Bridgit Evans, CEO of the GreaterGood group. “It can be a powerful tool for change, with the potential to transform mindsets around giving as well as contribute to social cohesion.”  

Economic punch
The power of collective effort is highlighted by research into the economic impact of volunteerism worldwide. A Johns Hopkins University study [2] found that at least 12 percent of the adult population in the 37 countries surveyed had volunteered at some stage. These volunteers represented the equivalent of 20.8 million full-time workers, making a $400 billion contribution to the economy.  More recently, the Secretary General of the United Nations issued a reportstating that “achieving the Millennium Development Goals will require the engagement of countless millions of people through volunteer action.”

What’s in it for me?
The impressive economic impact of volunteering is all very well but as human beings we are naturally wired to ask ‘so, what’s in it for me?’ This is another area where volunteering pays off in ways we may not have imagined.

Evidence suggests that volunteering has real physical and mental health benefits. A recent survey [3], found that half of the 600 volunteers surveyed, who had volunteered for more than two years, said the experience had made them feel less depressed. Volunteering also made them feel connected to communities and significantly increased their sense of self worth and levels of self esteem.

Volunteering keeps you young
Community service may also be one of the secrets to finding that elusive ‘fountain of youth’. According to the Centre on Aging and Health at Johns Hopkins University [4], "giving back to your community may slow the aging process in ways that lead to a higher quality of life in older adults."

Personal drivers and aspirations also play a significant role in motivating people into taking action. A survey recently undertaken by GreaterGood for a top motor manufacturing brand, revealed that their staff rated the “opportunity to make a difference” and “personal enrichment and growth” as their top two motivating factors for volunteering.

What can you do?
Armed with all this, you may have decided to do your bit on Mandela Day – but where do you start and what do you do? The many social needs in South African communities can be overwhelming and it is often daunting to take the first steps. A good and trusted starting point is our online giving community – www.myggsa.co.za – where you can search for and connect with worthy organisations in your neighbourhood.

Members of our givin community have listed their volunteer needs specially for Mandela Day so you can find and sign-up for opportunities from the comfort of your home.

How it works:

1. Go to myggsa.co.za
2. Use the search box to find a project, type in ‘Mandela Day’
3. Sign up to a project in your area – and take your first step to changing your world

> Find a project now