Nappy Run is an all family affair
1 November 2025 | Johannesburg Zoo
Historic Nappy Run campaign enters 14th year, calling on corporates, government, civic organisations and all South Africans to restore dignity through collective action.
Fourteen-year-old Sizwe* cannot attend school. Not because he lacks ability, but because his family cannot afford the R1,200 monthly cost of the nappies he requires due to his disability. His story is not unique—it represents the reality for hundreds of thousands of South African children and adults with disabilities who face the daily indignity of living without access to basic incontinence management products.
The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) proudly announces the 14th anniversary of the Nappy Run, taking place on Saturday, 1 November 2025, at the Johannesburg Zoo. This important campaign, running from 1 October through 3 December, stands as a beacon of hope for our nation’s most marginalised community—children, youth, and adults with disabilities who depend on nappies for their health, dignity, and freedom of movement.
“Without a nappy, children are often denied dignity, comfort, and freedom of movement, and their health is compromised,” says Therina Wentzel, National Director at NCPD. “Disposable nappies are expensive and often unaffordable to the majority of families of children with disabilities.”
Nappy Run 2025 TV AD
The economic reality is stark. A packet of children’s nappies costs approximately R300 for 100-130 units, whilst adult incontinence products range from R550 to R1,100 per package. For families already grappling with the financial burden of disability-related care, medical appointments, and assistive devices, these costs often prove insurmountable. Yet the human cost of going without is far greater—loss of dignity, school exclusion, health complications, and social isolation.
Over the past 13 years, the Nappy Run has supported an average of 2,000 children annually throughout South Africa. But the need far exceeds current capacity, with an estimated 600,000 children with disabilities requiring ongoing support.
A Partnership Invitation
The NCPD extends an earnest invitation to corporates, government departments, civic organisations, and community groups to join this transformative cause. Partnership opportunities include:
For Corporates: Align Your Social Responsibility Initiatives with Measurable Impact. Previous partners, including Epiroc, Marsh, and Checkers have demonstrated that corporate engagement transforms lives. Whether through bulk nappy donations, financial contributions, or employee volunteering programmes, your participation creates dignity at scale.
Team Building with Purpose: The 5km Fun Run, Walk, or Wheel offers an exceptional team-building opportunity that combines wellness, social impact, and corporate visibility. Last year, over 420 participants united in solidarity, transforming a morning at the Zoo into lasting change.
For Those Unable to Participate: Donate “Nappy Rands”—monetary contributions directly purchasing nappies for distribution. Every R300 provides approximately 100 nappies, translating to weeks of dignity for a child or adult in need.
In-Kind Donations: Small, medium, and large children’s nappies, plus small through extra-large adult nappies and pull-up incontinence pants (preferably unisex) are urgently needed. Baby-sized nappies are not required.
Beyond Nappies: The NCPD’s Integrated Approach
The Nappy Run interweaves seamlessly with NCPD’s flagship programmes, creating holistic support for persons with disabilities. During nappy distributions, NCPD evaluates children for wheelchairs, identifies those excluded from education systems, and advocates for their rights. This work connects directly to:
- Casual Day (established 1994): South Africa’s leading disability fundraising campaign supporting hundreds of organisations nationwide
- Vava iYouth (established 2022): Ensuring self-representation, assistive device access, and employment preparation for youth with disabilities
- Road to Independence: Providing information and support for persons who are deaf or hearing impaired
This integrated model ensures that a nappy donation becomes a gateway to comprehensive support, advocacy, and systemic change.
The Moral Imperative
Danie Marais, Senior Manager of Projects and Programmes at NCPD, reminds us that “the need for nappies doesn’t diminish with age for children and adults with disabilities.” Teenagers and adults often require nappies throughout their lives—a reality that challenges our collective commitment to human dignity and inclusion.
The question before us is not whether we can afford to act, but whether we can afford not to. In a nation striving towards equality and social justice, ensuring basic dignity for persons with disabilities is not charity—it is our shared responsibility.
Do your part. Register for the Nappy Run (R100 adults | R60 children under 14 | Free for babies under 3). Bring your team. Donate nappies. Contribute Nappy Rands. Join the movement that recognises every person’s inherent worth and right to dignity.
Registration opens 06h30 | Event runs 07h30–10h00 | Full day Zoo entry included
For partnerships, donations, or information, Contact Danie Marais: danie@ncpd.org.za
*Name changed to protect privacy
