Former president Nelson Mandela.

Empire Partner Foundation's Innovation Campus has launched a community effort to commemorate Nelson Mandela International Day by merging philanthropy and skills development.

Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day commemorating Nelson Mandela, observed on July 18, Mandela's birthday. The United Nations officially established the day in November 2009, and the first UN Mandela Day took place on July 18, 2010.

In a statement, the organisation said the effort by the Innovation Campus is slated to take place between the 17th and 29th of July 2024, will see the tech non-profit organisation distribute clothes and help develop tech talent at the New Jerusalem Children's Home in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to the Campus, its efforts "add value to the corporate social responsibility ethos by positively giving back to the digital-tech industry, while preparing the next generation of tech talent for industry."

Simbarashe Mhlanga, CEO of the Innovation Centre, said the 4th Industrial Revolution requires more. "We must spread the digital gospel so that no one is left behind in this industrial transformation."

Mhlanga stated that the Campus sees significant promise in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered solutions addressing social issues like as education, climate change, unemployment, poverty, and healthcare access.

To this end, the Sandton-based Innovation Campus is cooperating with like-minded organisations that make use of AI to sustain livelihoods, enhance financial inclusion tools, and promote data-driven healthcare

Mhlanga went on to say that inspired by the potential of young African tech innovators, the Campus will assist initiatives and have a "positive impact across the continent."

The Campus has invited the media to see the impact of its work and learn more about the EPF Innovation Campus's “continued commitment to innovation and community service.”