Press Release: From Five Women to a National Movement for Mandela Day.

PRESS RELEASE

Project Flamingo's Largest Mandela Day Surgical Initiative Yet

"It always seems impossible until it's done." - Nelson Mandela

Nearly fifteen years ago, Project Flamingo performed just five breast cancer operations on Mandela Day. It was a small act of service inspired by an ambitious dream: that one day we might honour Nelson Mandela's legacy by performing 67 life-changing operations, representing his 67 years of service to humanity.

At the time, that dream seemed almost impossible, and this year, it comes closer than ever before.

On Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July 2026, Project Flamingo, together with its Public Healthcare partners across South Africa, will provide at least 55 women with potentially life-saving breast cancer surgery during its annual Mandela Day surgical initiative. 

Across 4 provinces and 8 hospitals, healthcare workers will unite behind a single goal: equitable access to care.

Groote Schuur Surgical Team

Each operation represents far more than a procedure. It represents another woman who no longer has to wait. Another family spared months of uncertainty. Another opportunity for a cure because treatment was delivered in time.

What began as a single volunteer surgical list has grown into a national movement, made possible by hundreds of healthcare professionals who willingly give their time, skills, and compassion beyond their normal working hours.

Every weekend that Project Flamingo operates, South Africans from every walk of life quietly choose collaboration over criticism, service over cynicism, and hope over despair. This weekend is no different - participating hospitals, surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre and ward nurses, radiologists, pathologists, administrative staff, porters, cleaners, patient navigators and volunteers will once again come together with one shared purpose: ensuring that more women receive the cancer treatment they urgently need.

Seattle Coffee Company Partnership

This year's initiative is made even more special through the support of our new partner, Seattle Coffee Company, whose generosity will keep our volunteer teams fueled with coffee and refreshments throughout the long operating days. As well as beautiful care packs for our patients. It is a simple but powerful reminder that every act of kindness, whether performed in an operating theatre or behind a coffee counter, helps change someone's story. In addition, customers can get their Project Flamingo custom coffee cup sleeves at Seattle Coffee Co nationwide and scan to donate to the project.

Project Flamingo's patient support volunteers will also be out in full force, welcoming every patient with warmth, providing comfort packs, post-operative essentials and, most importantly, the reassurance that no woman walks this journey alone.

Healthcare system challenges

In recent months, headlines have been dominated by the immense challenges facing South Africa's public healthcare system. Those challenges are real. But they are not the only truth.

“Behind every hospital door are still extraordinary people - dedicated doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, administrators, support staff and volunteers - whose commitment to their patients remains unwavering despite challenges. Given the opportunity, resources, and support they deserve, they rise to deliver care of remarkable quality, compassion, and humanity,” says CEO and Founder, Dr Liana Roodt.

Mandela Day reminds us that meaningful change does not always begin with policy. Often, it begins with ordinary people deciding to do something extraordinary together. They will not wait.

Project Flamingo has never sought to replace the public healthcare system.

Its purpose has always been to strengthen it. To stand alongside healthcare workers, reduce waiting lists, and demonstrate what becomes possible when government, clinicians, corporate partners, volunteers, and civil society unite around a common purpose. This year's 55 surgeries are more than a milestone. They are evidence that hope compounds. That partnerships matter. That compassion is contagious. And that dreams, when pursued consistently over many years, have a remarkable way of becoming reality.

Join us as we count

By the end of the weekend, we hope the number will be even higher. Throughout Mandela Day, we invite South Africans to follow our journey as the numbers grow. Not because we are counting operations.

We are counting courage.

Counting collaboration.

Counting volunteers.

Counting acts of generosity.

Counting women who no longer have to wait.

Counting lives changed.

Follow Project Flamingo on social media throughout 17 and 18 July as we share updates from hospitals across the country. Send messages of encouragement to our volunteer healthcare teams, celebrate every milestone with us, and help us honour Nelson Mandela's legacy - one patient, one operation and one act of kindness at a time.

Nearly fifteen years ago, five women received surgery on Mandela Day: this year, at least fifty-five will.

Because perhaps the greatest tribute we can pay to Nelson Mandela is not to remember what he did, but to continue what he started.

About Project Flamingo

Project Flamingo is a South African non-profit organisation dedicated to improving timely access to breast cancer care through volunteer-led surgical programmes, psychosocial support and health system strengthening initiatives that include diagnostics and oncology services across the country's public healthcare sector. By partnering with hospitals, healthcare professionals, corporate supporters, and communities, Project Flamingo works to ensure that more women receive life-saving treatment when it matters most.

Fact Sheet

• Dates: 

  Friday, 17th July at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley.

  Saturday, 18th July, all other remaining hospitals
  

• 55+ Surgeries across 8 hospitals in 4 provinces (Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape & Gauteng)
  

• Project Flamingo has performed over 2224 surgeries since 2010.
  

Project Flamingo will be operating at these hospitals:

• Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town

• Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town

• George Regional Hospital, George

• Livingstone Hospital, Gqeberha

• Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, East London

• Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, Kimberley

• Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital

• Donald Gordon Hospital, Johannesburg

Media Contact & Enquiries: Lou Stone, COO Lou@projectflamingo.co.za 0842483200

Photography - Click to Download Here