The funds raised will enable children and adults on the waiting list at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital to receive the surgeries they desperately need, allowing many of them to hear for the very first time or to regain the gift of sound after losing their hearing.

To mark Mandela Day 2026, Good Morning Angels partnered with Mia le Roux and #AboutSound, a public-private initiative working to provide cochlear implants to 20 vulnerable state patients. While the life-changing implant devices had already been secured, the project required funding to cover the surgeries after limited theatre capacity at the hospital threatened to delay the procedures beyond the critical treatment window.

Mia le Roux made history as the first differently abled participant to wear the Miss South Africa crown. Having received a cochlear implant at just two years old, followed by years of dedicated therapy and treatment, Mia was able to hear and develop speech. Today, she has dedicated her platform to championing the rights of the deaf community.

“I am where I am because of the way my village carried me and helped me get a cochlear implant,” says le Roux. “I understand the life-changing importance and honour to be a part of this village that will help to lift so many others.”

Cochlear implants are highly effective, technologically advanced devices that can restore or provide the ability to hear. However, the financial barrier is immense, with a single implant typically costing between R400,000 and R700,000, placing the treatment beyond the reach of most South African families.

In an extraordinary act of collaboration, The Ear & Eye Clinic in Meyersdal committed to performing three cochlear implant surgeries each month at a significantly reduced rate, lowering surgical costs by approximately 80% to 85%. This brought the average cost per surgery down to R100,000 per patient for this specific project, making it possible to help significantly more patients.

The first three young patients to receive their life-changing operations on 23 July 2026 are Abdullah Myles (1 year and 4 months old), Amukelo Baloyi (2 years old) and Moloko Mokgwana (9 years old).

The campaign resonated deeply with listeners and corporate South Africa alike, with donations pouring in throughout the morning. Donations came flooding in including R100,000 from LottoStar, R100,000 from Sons of Thunder, R100,000 from Rollfab Engineering, R100,000 from CER Synergies and their EDI Trust, R100,000 from Cubed Coatings along with Fine Blanking Group, R300,000 from The Naked Difference, an anonymous donation of R300,000, R400,000 from GHH Mining Komatsu and R500,000 from the Absa Charity Golf Day. The Good Morning Angels Fund will contribute a further R165,000, bringing the total raised to R2.3 million. This means 23 people will now be able to receive their cochlea implants.

“For this Mandela Day, we decided to go to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg to assist the many people waiting for cochlear implants and help give them the gift of sound,” says Martin Bester, host of Jacaranda FM’s Breakfast with Martin Bester. “We set our target initially at R1 million to help 10 people and ended up with over R2 million coming in to help give 23 people the gift of sound.”

He adds, “As a radio station, Jacaranda FM is all about sound, so to be able to give people the gift of hearing and change lives in such a profound way is incredibly humbling. It’s beautiful to see the power of this big purple feel-good family in full force once again. Our listeners always go above and beyond, and they’ve made this Mandela Day incredibly special.”

For Jacaranda FM, the campaign carried special significance. As a station built around the power of sound, helping people experience hearing for the first time, or regain it after losing it, perfectly reflects the purpose that has long driven Good Morning Angels: changing lives through the generosity of South Africans.

The post From Silence to Sound: Mandela Day Changes 23 Lives Forever appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Launched in the lead-up to Mandela Day 2026, the campaign set out to celebrate the unsung heroes of community sport, the clubs, organisations, coaches and volunteers who go beyond the game to create opportunities, build confidence, inspire hope and provide safe spaces for young people to thrive.

The response from the public was overwhelming, with nominations pouring in from the community, highlighting organisations that are making a meaningful difference through soccer, rugby, netball, athletics, dance, tennis, karate, fitness programmes and other sporting initiatives. Each nominee represents the transformative power of sport and its ability to unite communities, develop future leaders and create lasting social impact.

Finalists Announced

The Top 13 finalists have now been selected and are being showcased in a special in-mall photographic exhibition located in the Food District. The exhibition brings each organisation’s story to life through powerful imagery and inspiring narratives, giving shoppers a glimpse into the lives being transformed through their projects and programmes.

The thirteen finalists are:

1. 9Miles Project
   Using the power of surfing to build confidence, resilience, life skills, and brighter futures for youth in coastal communities.
2. House of Power Karate Academy
   Empowering young people through karate by developing discipline, confidence, self-defence skills, and strong character.
3. Westridge Yankees
   Keeping young athletes active year-round through grassroots baseball and softball development in the community.
4. Play Sport4Life
   Creating opportunities for children and youth through sport, leadership development, and life-changing mentorship programmes.
5. Lentegeur Volleyball Club
   Nurturing leadership, creating a sense of belonging, and motivating young people to realise their full potential through volleyball.
6. Just Planting Seeds
   Transforming lives through rugby by creating safe spaces, building leaders, and empowering youth to overcome challenges.
7. Westridge Football Club
   Developing football talent while promoting teamwork, discipline, leadership, and positive community involvement.
8. Red Rovers FC
   Combining football development with life-skills and discipline programmes to help young people thrive on and off the field.
9. Home Fighters Netball Club
   Providing a safe and supportive environment where girls and women can develop confidence, strengthen teamwork, and achieve sporting excellence.
10. Tafelzucht
    Bringing communities together through soccer, netball, and cricket while creating opportunities for youth development and education.
11. Karate Satori
    Building stronger, safer communities through karate, self-defense training, youth mentorship, and nutritional support.
12. Woodlands Archery Academy
    Introducing youth to the focus, discipline, and precision of archery while promoting positive community engagement.
13. Khaye Gymnastics Club
    Developing future champions through rope skipping while creating pathways to provincial and national sporting success.

Community Invited to Vote

Now, the community has the opportunity to decide who will be crowned Liberty Promenade’s Power of Sport Champion 2026. Visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibition, learn about the incredible work being done by each finalist and cast their vote for the organisation they believe is making the greatest impact.

Voting is open from 7 July 2026 at Liberty Promenade Mall, where visitors can cast their vote by submitting a till slip of any value, clearly marked with their contact details on the back, into the entry boxes at the exhibition. The finalist who receives the most votes will be awarded up to R20 000 to support their work. Voting closes on 27 July 2026. Two shoppers who vote will also stand a chance to win a R 1000 Liberty Promenade shopping voucher each. The winners will be announced on 31 July 2026 as part of Liberty Promenade’s Mandela Day celebrations.

“Sport has the unique ability to inspire, unite and transform lives,” says Liberty Promenade General Manager, Brenda Bibby. “Through this campaign, we wanted to celebrate the organisations that are using sport as a force for good and give our community the opportunity to recognise the incredible work they do every day.”

On selected days, the finalist organisations will be present in the Food District, providing an opportunity for visitors to meet their representatives, learn more about their programmes, and discover how they are making a difference in local communities. Be sure to follow the mall’s social media channels for the latest dates and times and come show your support for these incredible organisations.

For Liberty Promenade, the campaign is about more than recognising sporting excellence; it is about celebrating resilience, community spirit and the people who are creating brighter futures, one game, one training session and one young life at a time.

For more information on the finalists and campaign, visit libertypromenade.co.za or follow Liberty Promenade on Facebook, Instagram @libertypromenademall_za and TikTok @libertypromenademall.

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Building on the success of previous community-focused Mandela Day initiatives, this year’s initiative recognises the individuals and programmes creating meaningful social impact through grassroots sport in their communities.

From local soccer fields and rugby clubs to netball courts, tennis programmes, chess groups, athletics initiatives, dance organisations and community fitness projects, the mall aims to shine a light on the people creating safer spaces, stronger support systems and positive opportunities for young people through sport.

Celebrating Community Champions

South Africans share a deep passion for the sport and love the way it unites communities and inspires resilience. Through The Power of Sport, Liberty Promenade is recognising the everyday sporting heroes whose commitment extends far beyond the game itself.

Shoppers are invited to nominate deserving sports organisations, coaches, teams, mentors and youth development initiatives that are making a positive difference in their areas until 29 May 2026.

Shortlisted nominees will form part of a special Mandela Day exhibition inside the centre later this year. The exhibition will feature striking portraits, team stories and community achievements, showcasing how sport continues to change lives and create safer, healthier futures for young people and families.

One selected sports organisation or initiative will receive support of up to R20 000 towards equipment, facilities, programme growth or development needs.

“Sport has an incredible ability to bring people together and create positive change in communities. Through this campaign, we want to recognise the organisations dedicating their time and energy to uplifting young people and creating opportunities through sport,” said Brenda Bibby, general manager at Promenade. “These are the local champions helping build confidence, leadership and connection every single day.”

How To Nominate a Sporting Hero

Community members can nominate a local sports organisation online, Mandela Day – PowerOfSport Application | Liberty Promenade or follow Liberty Promenade on Facebook, Instagram @ libertypromenademall_za and TikTok @ libertypromenademall.

Nominations close on 29 May 2026. A verification process will be conducted to confirm the authenticity of all submissions.

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