PAARL, WESTERN CAPE, OCTOBER 2026: After a decade of working to address child hunger and support communities, Outside the Bowl Africa (OTB Africa) is marking its 10 year milestone with a celebration dedicated to the children at the heart of its work.
On Friday, 20 November 2026, OTB Africa will bring together more than 10 000 children from Paarl, Mbekweni, Wellington, Franschhoek and surrounding communities for a World Children’s Day celebration at Faure Stadium in Drakenstein. In partnership with Drakenstein Municipality and supported by businesses, sponsors and community organisations, the event will give thousands of children a day of food, entertainment, learning and fun, built around one central message: You Are Loved.
For OTB Africa, the celebration is more than a milestone event. It is an opportunity to recognise the children, Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and communities that have been part of its journey over the past decade, while reinforcing the importance of ensuring that children have access to nutrition, care and opportunities to thrive.
Ten years of turning compassion into action
For the past 10 years, Outside the Bowl Africa has worked to address child hunger through practical nutritional programmes and community based initiatives. The organisation’s approach centres on turning support into tangible action, helping to ensure that food reaches the children and communities who need it.
Its work extends beyond individual meals. By supporting ECD centres and working alongside community partners, OTB Africa recognises the important role that early childhood environments play in children’s development, wellbeing and future opportunities.
The World Children’s Day celebration brings this commitment to life on a much larger scale, creating a space where thousands of children can experience the joy of being celebrated, while recognising the people and organisations working every day to support them.
“Outside the Bowl Africa has been serving communities for 10 years, and a very special part of that journey has been the children and ECDs we serve across Drakenstein,” says founder Mark Maingard.
“We couldn’t think of a more meaningful way to celebrate 10 years than by bringing so many of these children together for a day that is completely about them.
“Over the years, we have seen first hand what the ECDs and their communities are doing for our children, often with very limited resources. This celebration is our opportunity to stand alongside them, to say thank you, and to remind every child that they are seen, they matter and they are loved.
“To have more than 10 000 children together, enjoying a meal, receiving a gift, singing, dancing and simply being children, is incredibly special to us. This is how we wanted to celebrate 10 years of Outside the Bowl Africa: by giving back to the children and communities who have been such an important part of our journey.”
10 000 children. One day dedicated to them.
The World Children’s Day celebration will transform Faure Stadium into a gathering place for more than 10 000 children, with a full programme designed to encourage participation, connection and enjoyment.
The day will feature singing, dancing, children’s entertainment, interactive activities and educational experiences, giving children from different communities the opportunity to come together, make memories and enjoy a day centred entirely around them.
Food will be a key part of the celebration. More than 10 000 boerewors rolls will be prepared for the children, teachers and principals attending the event. Refreshments and nutritional food products, including a VitaKidz nutritional meal component, will also form part of the day’s offering.
Every child will receive a specially prepared World Children’s Day gift bucket containing treats, nutritional products and other gifts to take home.
Each element of the celebration reflects the intention behind the event: to create an experience in which children feel valued, included and cared for.
A shared commitment to putting children first
Bringing an event of this scale to life requires a collective effort. OTB Africa is working with Drakenstein Municipality, businesses, sponsors, non profit organisations and community partners to make the celebration possible.
Contributions towards food, refreshments, nutritional products, gifts and entertainment are helping to create a day that reaches thousands of children in one place.
While the event is a celebration of OTB Africa’s 10 year journey, it also recognises the collective role that organisations, businesses and communities can play in supporting children’s wellbeing. Through collaboration, the celebration aims to create a meaningful experience for children while acknowledging the ECD centres, educators and community members who contribute to their care and development throughout the year.
Ultimately, the message extends beyond World Children’s Day and beyond the stadium. Every child deserves to feel safe, valued and loved, and every community deserves support in creating environments where children can grow and thrive.
For OTB Africa, there is no better way to mark a decade of community impact than by bringing thousands of children together and reminding each one that they matter.
EVENT INFORMATION
Event: World Children’s Day 2026
Organised by: Outside the Bowl Africa, in partnership with Drakenstein Municipality and supporting partners
Date: Friday, 20 November 2026
Venue: Faure Stadium, Drakenstein, Western Cape
Expected attendance: More than 10 000 children
Communities: Paarl, Mbekweni, Wellington, Franschhoek and surrounding communities
Theme: You Are Loved
