Discovery Vitality partners with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to fight hunger this Mandela Month

Discovery Vitality is excited to partner with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to raise funds for its Each One Feed One hunger relief campaign. The Foundation launched the #Each1Feed1 initiative in response to the devastating effects of COVID-19 on already vulnerable communities. The campaign calls for all South Africans to donate essential products to help alleviate food insecurity.

Through MoveToGive, Vitality’s app-based platform for crowdsourcing philanthropy, members can use their Discovery Miles to donate to this important cause throughout July. Discovery Miles are earned by achieving weekly fitness, drive, or money goals.

The campaign will culminate with a fundraiser on Nelson Mandela International Day, 18 July 2021, with the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Virtual Cycling Challenge. This event is in partnership with Ride4Hope and powered by Zwift, the at-home cycling and running virtual training platform. The Challenge aims to encourage amateur and seasoned cyclists, along with the broader health-conscious community, to dedicate their workouts as a call-to-action for #Each1Feed1.

Team Vitality Club Manager, Khethiwe Mlangeni says: “I am looking forward to being joined by avid cyclist, activist and renowned chef David Higgs and two of our Team Vitality Champions for the virtual Zwift ride on Mandela Day. It is one of three virtual 30 km group rides scheduled to raise awareness around the Global Nelson Mandela International Day initiative.” She adds: “This collaboration and event are a testament to the power of community – despite the social and physical obstacles we continue to face as a result of the pandemic”.

Sello Hatang, Nelson Mandela Foundation Chief Executive considers July and initiatives like this an opportunity to truly reflect on Mandela’s legacy. He says, “During this period, I consistently reflect on what Madiba had to say in 1999, as he was coming to the end of his presidency: ‘On April 27 five years ago, we knew that nothing could stop the people’s declaration that the time had come to govern ourselves. We had then fully understood that none of us could be free unless we were all free; and that none of us could enjoy lasting peace and security while countless South Africans were cursed by hunger, homelessness, and ill health.’”

Vitality CEO Dinesh Govender concludes: “We are proud to partner with the Nelson Mandela Foundation in this cause and the upcoming cycle challenge, which both so aptly resonate with Discovery’s core purpose to make people healthier and enhance and protect their lives.”

Govender encourages Vitality members to wait until Sunday, 18 July 2021 to play their Vitality Active Rewards gameboard. “We’ll match the Discovery Miles revealed and donate that amount to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, at no cost to members,” he says.

Learn more about MoveToGive and the Mandela Month campaign here.