Capegate Shopping Centre will once again play host to wagging tails, splashes of colour and a whole lot of heart as it partners with The Dogbox Project for one of their annual Mandela Day events, set to take place on Friday, 19 July from 10am to 12am in the Centre Court.
Now a fixture on Capegate Shopping Centre’s calendar, the event calls on community members, families, schools and corporate teams to roll up their sleeves and give 67 minutes of their time to a cause that brings real relief to dogs in need. Participants will paint wooden kennels, sponsored by local businesses, which are then donated to under-resourced animal shelters across the Western Cape.
“Mandela Day is about making a meaningful impact, and we believe small actions can lead to lasting change,” says Zoë Enslin, Marketing Manager at Capegate Shopping Centre. “This is our way of providing a platform for our community to show compassion, collaboration and creativity, all aimed at giving neglected animals the shelter and dignity they deserve.”
The Dogbox Project began in 2012 as a Mandela Day initiative and has since grown into a year-round drive to support animal shelters. Kennels, being one of the most expensive and critical items for shelters, are often in short supply. With the help of community-driven initiatives like this, more dogs can stay warm and dry in winter and cool during the hot summer months.
This year Pet Shop Science, one of Capegate Shopping Centre’s stores, has raised a paw to make the impact even bigger. Pet Shop Science will be donating 67 blankets, 67 dog jerseys and 67 bags of food – totalling R22 000 in sponsorship. The event’s format also echoes the Mandela Day principle: 67 teams will paint 67 kennels in 67 minutes.
Members of the public can register to take part in the event by signing up on The Dogbox Project’s website: https://www.dogboxproject.co.
“It’s an easy way to do good,” says Enslin. “All you need is a little time and a willingness to get your hands dirty. We’ll provide the paint, the brushes and the music. You bring the spirit.”
Kennels painted on Mandela Day will be donated to the following shelters:
- Manenberg
- Farm Paw
- Chocolate’s Angels Animal Rescue
- 1 Kennel at a Time
- Pawrent Village
- Help a Paw
- Fisantekraal
- Hantam Paws
Capegate Shopping Centre encourages anyone with a heart for animals to get involved – whether by joining a painting team, sponsoring a kennel, or donating pet food via The Dogbox Project’s online shop. Every action counts.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, 19 July 2025
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Location: Centre Court, Capegate Shopping Centre
