CEOs Unite for the 2026 CEO Sleep-In to Champion Families in Need
CEOs Unite for the 2026 CEO Sleep-In to Champion Families in Need
Johannesburg, South Africa – Business leaders from across various sectors gathered on 26 February 2026 for the inaugural CEO Sleep-In initiative in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities South Africa (RMHC SA). The symbolic yet deeply practical act of solidarity saw CEOs spend the night at Ronald McDonald House, standing in support of families whose children are receiving life-saving medical treatment far from home.
Hosted within the precinct of Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, the House was deliberately built with 27 rooms to honour Nelson Mandela’s enduring contribution to social change. Each room represents far more than accommodation; it represents dignity, stability and hope for families navigating some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
As the largest funding supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities South Africa, McDonald’s South Africa continues to anchor its growth in purpose-led impact. Speaking at the event, Max Oliva, CEO of McDonald’s South Africa, emphasised the deeper meaning of the initiative: “It is both a privilege and a profound responsibility to stand not only as the CEO of McDonald’s South Africa, but as a steward of influence and impact. As we accelerate the growth of our Golden Arches across the country, we are equally committed to meaningfully fostering and feeding the communities in which we operate. Tonight is more than a fundraising dinner. For the families who walk through these doors, this is not symbolism. It is shelter. It is dignity. It is proximity to hope.”
Over the past year alone, Ronald McDonald House Charities South Africa facilitated 8,464 overnight stays, provided 90,610 meals across the House and Family Rooms and supported 34,365 lactation visits by mothers who expressed 1,972 litres of breast milk, saving hospitals millions of rands in formula costs.
The CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities South Africa, Matshepo Msibi, reinforced the urgent need for sustained corporate partnership: “Ronald McDonald House is no longer just a charitable extension of McDonald’s. It has grown into a shared platform for corporate citizenship. Yet, its continued growth depends on broader and deeper collaboration and partnership. When a company adopts a room, it is not placing a logo on a door; it is underwriting stability and making a difference to a family at their most vulnerable moment.”
The initiative is calling on corporate leaders to adopt one of the 27 rooms through a minimum six-month commitment of R50,000. The funding will support infrastructure, operations, staffing and the long-term sustainability of the House, as well as its expansion plans.
Among those expansion plans is the launch of a Mothers’ Lodge at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital precinct, providing dignified accommodation for mothers whose children are undergoing treatment there.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities concept was introduced to the South African McDonald’s system by franchisee Reggie Skhosana, whose vision helped bring the initiative to life locally after visiting McDonald’s in Australia.
Skhosana reflected on the journey: “I am incredibly proud that our McDonald’s South Africa team embraced this idea and turned it into a movement of shared value and shared responsibility.”
Max Oliva also paid tribute to the team that transformed the concept into reality: “This initiative would not be possible without the passion and commitment of our franchisees, partners, and the leadership who brought this vision to fruition 14 years ago. It is a powerful reminder that meaningful impact is built collectively. Tonight, in honour of 27 years of sacrifice, let us commit to 27 rooms of hope.”
Customers and franchisees also play a vital role in sustaining the House. Through R5 donations and the 50c donations from Happy Meals sold in restaurants nationwide, small, everyday contributions accumulate into life-changing support for families.
As CEOs spent the night in solidarity, the message was clear: philanthropy has evolved. It demands measurable and sustainable impact, long-term partnership and proximity to beneficiaries.
On 26 February 2026, South Africa’s business leaders not only pledged funds — they pledged presence.
Let us pledge. Let us partner. Let us lead — together.