Ronald McDonald House Charities South Africa is a home-away-from-home for families whose children are receiving specialised medical treatment.
Our House offers a safe and welcoming space where parents, guardians and caregivers can rest, prepare meals and find comfort close to their child’s bedside during critical care.
What makes our House unique is the sense of community it creates. Families benefit from the kindness of our volunteers and staff, as well as the support of others who are on a similar journey. Together they share strength, hope and understanding during times that can be emotionally and financially challenging.
Your donation helps keep families close.
Opened in April 2017, the Ronald McDonald House at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. It offers accommodation, care and compassion to families who travel long distances so their children can receive specialised medical treatment.
The House includes shared facilities such as a kitchen, dining area, library, meditation room, kids’ playroom, TV room and family lounges. These spaces allow families to cook, connect and find moments of peace together.
Research shows that families who stay at a Ronald McDonald House cope better and experience less emotional and financial strain because they have access to care, community, and support from staff, volunteers and other families staying alongside them.
“We provide accommodation for families with sick children to stay at little to no cost while their child is receiving critical medical care at the hospital.”
Sphiwe Reginald Skhosana
Founding Board Chairman of RMHC South Africa
Bedrooms
People served in our house program
Families served to date
Ronald McDonald House Charities South Africa is a non-profit organisation that provides a home-away-from-home for families whose children are receiving specialised medical treatment. We keep families close to care through our House, Family Rooms and Lactation Centre programs.
We opened our first programme in 2012, and since then, we’ve expanded to include the Ronald McDonald House, Family Rooms, Care Mobiles and specialised initiatives like Lactation Centres.
McDonald’s South Africa is our founding and sustaining partner. The company helps fund operations through in-store campaigns, corporate support and volunteer engagement. However, RMHC South Africa is an independent non-profit organisation with its own Board of Directors and governance.
No. Families stay with us at no charge, thanks to the generosity of our donors, partners and volunteers.
Families with a child receiving medical treatment at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital may stay, subject to referral and room availability.
Families have access to private bedrooms, a shared kitchen and dining area, a laundry room, a kids’ playroom, a library and lounges designed for rest and connection.
Families are referred to the House by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital social work or medical team. Once referred, our staff will contact the family to confirm availability and guide them through the short application process.
2nd Level, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, 6 Jubilee Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Mon – Sun:
24hrs
