Ultimately, there are only two ways to improve the world – through technology and through behaviour change. The DG Murray Trust’s new publication, the Human Factor, focuses on the latter. “Far too often people are viewed as the ‘problem’ in development; through the lens of the Human Factor, we see them as development’s greatest asset,” explains DGMT CEO, David Harrison.   Read More...

Woolworths has kick started the year with its latest announcement in its journey to ZERO packaging waste to landfill.

Switching to paper-stemmed earbuds might seem like a small difference to make, but it has a significant impact.  On an annual basis this switch equates to over 11 million plastic stems not entering our waste streams or waterways.   This is aligned to one of the retailer’s key commitments, which is to phase out single-use plastic, including plastic carrier bags.    Read More...

The momentum we create by investing in these 21 schools in a consistent, multi-activity & practical manner, helps build a pipeline of future minds

As we enter the 2019 academic year, the stark reality is that the extra tuition often required to achieve good grades in subjects such as science and mathematics is out of reach of most pupils in Cape Town. However, responsible corporate organisations such as Astron Energy (formerly Chevron South Africa) are ensuring much-needed support for these pupils and their schools.   Read More...

The announcements were made this week at the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) “The Power of 10: Shaping the Future of Climate Action” event at the Noor Ouarzazate Concentrated Solar Power Plant - the largest facility of its kind in the world - in Morocco. The summit convened over 300 climate leaders from the public and private sectors for action-oriented dialogue on fighting climate change.   Read More...

Get into the spirit of Earth Hour with family or friends by participating in an orienteering-style adventure dash in one of South Africa’s most beautiful national botanical gardens. Following on two successive years of successful Earth Hour ‘dashes’, WWF with the support of Virgin Active will again be hosting Earth Hour Adventure events at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town and, for the first time this year, in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort, Johannesburg.   Read More...

Our service focus remains to improve the lives of all South Africans to fulfil their potential and continue on innovative projects and programmes.s

In keeping with the objectives of South Africa’s National Development Plan’s Vision 2030 and the United Nations global Sustainable Development Goals, our key strategic focus areas - education, health, income generation, and community development - remain the foundation upon which we build our activities.
 
Together with our donor and beneficiary partners, we strive towards more effective and efficient outcomes that positively change the trajectory of the lives of our most vulnerable citizens with the ultimate aim of creating a nation of fully active citizens. None of the above is possible without the unwavering support of our committed partners and donors. We thank each and every one of you for your generosity and dedicated commitment to the Community Chest and the work we do.
 
We deeply appreciate your endorsement and we eagerly look forward to continuing the spirit of UBUNTU with you into 2019.   Read More...

The average corporate reputation score of last year’s reputation research studies conducted by Reputation Matters, a proudly African reputation research company, was 78.4%, a 2.2% decline from 2017 (80.6%). This score is based on ten reputation studies conducted amongst internal and external stakeholder groups across different industries in South Africa during the course of 2018, compared to nine studies in 2017.   Read More...

Taking A Gap Year? Explore And Make A Difference To The World

98% of all study-abroad students confirm that their gap year helped them grow as a person and 97% say that it increased their maturity and college readiness, according to a recent survey by Gap Year Association. Taking a year off before college is a great opportunity to learn practical life skills and decide which direction you want your life to take. It is a prudent chance for you to experience independence and build on your resume.   Read More...

According to Statistics South Africa, 39% of young people aged 15 to 34 are unemployed

“The lives of 255 families have been positively impacted by these trainings and subsequent initiatives during 2018,” says Jane Gelderman, Centre Director at FCD. Their job readiness training provides skills for entering the job market and which can serve as a foundation for future skills training.   Read More...

‘The fire of literacy is created by the emotional sparks between a child, a book and the person reading.’

There is huge potential in South Africa to turn our literacy crisis around so that reading becomes a powerful tool, to tackle inequality and poverty.  As Nelson Mandela said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.’  While education may be the most powerful weapon, reading aloud and storytelling are integral building blocks in learning.   Read More...

The team visited the Johannesburg Children's Home, ER24 paramedics branch in Bryanston, DARG (animal rescue centre) and a Fire Station

Uber Eats recently visited various locations in Cape Town and Johannesburg as part of their give back campaign to treat modern day superheroes who were on duty during the festive holidays while we were all away resting . As part of this give-back campaign, the Uber Eats team visited the Johannesburg Children's Home, ER24 paramedics branch in Bryanston, DARG (an animal rescue centre) and the Fire Station situated in the Cape Town CBD.   Read More...

The Zerho Toilet is a fast, cost-effective and permanent intervention, which can be implemented wherever safe & sealed waterless sanitation is needed.

“There is currently a large backlog of more than 2 million (homes needing sanitation), especially in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and rural areas. Thus the DWS prioritised using less water.”  (Household Sanitation Technology Assessment and Evaluation Protocol Presentation and Minutes - Sanitation Suppliers Workshop, 29th June 2015 – presented by DWS and Dept of Science and Technology).    Read More...

A big congratulations to our class of 2018 for achieving a 100% matric pass rate!

This achievement means that we have a perfect pass rate since our first matrics graduated in 2009 - none of which would have been possible without the focus of our students, the support of their parents and communities, and the unwavering support of our donors and partners.   Read More...

Our Social & Emotional Well-Being Drive for 2019 in schools in the Western Cape

The missing piece in the educational puzzle. Foundations for Life is challenging IQ to meet EQ within the school system. Social and emotional well-being is a process through which children and adults learn a specific set of social and emotional skills needed for success in school and life.   Read More...

AECI - An innovative partnership between a JSE-listed chemicals group and rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal,

An innovative partnership between a JSE-listed chemicals group and rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on keeping a river clean and free of alien vegetation, has been acknowledged with a major award.   Read More...

Sophakama Primary School in Dunoon has been awarded Certificates of Excellence from the Western Cape Education Department

Great news this quarter!

Sophakama Primary School in Dunoon has been awarded Certificates of Excellence from the Western Cape Education Department for their 2017 Foundation Phase Grade 3 systemic results: for Most Improved Language and Mathematics Pass Rates! A significant effort from the teachers involved and a real boost to our project at the school.   Read More...

If there were words that could describe the hardship within the communities where we are committed to support our families and our children, we would.

If we were Harry Potter, we would use our wand to bring peace, joy and happiness to children – to remove hardship, fear and tears. Fact is, we lack words and we are not Harry Potter. However, what we at Child Welfare Stellenbosch have – is a sincerity to bring change in the lives of so many children. Children caught in severe poverty.   Read More...

Young people launch shock campaign to highlight the consequences of irresponsible driving during the holiday season.

Every year the carnage on South Africa’s roads during the holiday season leaves thousands of families without loved ones and breadwinners, and maims and cripples many whose lives and futures are damaged for ever.   Read More...

The third Love Walk, held at outside venues nationally, gave couples the opportunity to invest in their relationships.

The Love Walk encourages couples to spend time together without interruptions, to talk and learn to understand each other better and rekindle their first love. For singles, it was an ideal opportunity to find out more about one another and see if they share the same values and have any interest in dating.
    Read More...

The MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet community loyalty programme is celebrating 21 years of giving back

To date more than R500 million has been raised for South African schools, charities, animal and environmental causes thanks to supporters swiping their cards at participating retailers. In celebration of its 21st anniversary, MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet has launched the ‘21 years of Giving Back’ campaign with R2.1 million to give away to 21 causes. Supporters are invited, until the end of February 2019, to nominate any South African charitable organisation that matters to them.   In May, 21 winning beneficiary organisations will be chosen from the list of nominations to each receive R100 000, and the supporters who nominated them will each receive a R1 000 Woolies Giftcard.   Read More...

Working with a diverse community of children from all backgrounds, Zip Zap helps kids to ‘dare to dream’ and learn to make those dreams a reality.

Zip Zap is a social circus that was founded to inspire young people and help build a new culture of peaceful coexistence in South Africa. Working with a diverse community of children from all backgrounds, Zip Zap helps kids to ‘dare to dream’ and learn to make those dreams a reality. Zip Zap’s programmes help protect children against the social ills, such as drug abuse, that often plague their communities. Many of the children who enter Zip Zap’s doors go on to become professional circus performers gracing the international stage.   Read More...

SACAP (The South African College of Applied Psychology) in partnership with the Human Library SA is hosting a Human Library Facebook Live book series.

Running weekly until 12th December, book titles include “A Domestic Violence Survivor”, “Living HIV+” and “Living with Depression”. 
The Human Library™ is where the books are people with incredible life stories and the readers get to ask the books questions. It’s a positive and safe space in which stereotypes are challenged and prejudices broken down through dialogue and understanding.   Read More...

Without any electricity, the school community struggled throughout the 2018 academic year in dark and extremely hot conditions – Engen donation

Engen has come to the rescue of five Durban schools severely damaged in storms by committing R1 million to effect repairs critical to the safety, comfort and security of pupils and teachers. “Engen turned our darkness into light,” says Colin Chand, principal of Collingwood Primary in Wentworth, which was severely affected by the October 2017 storms, forcing the children and teachers into mobile units on the school fields.   Read More...

The course formed part of Reputation Matters’ Awesome AfriCAN initiative and was made possible thanks to sponsorship from the Sea Harvest Foundation.

Over the last six weeks, eleven small business owners and 13 members from the Saldanha community on the West Coast attended a basic computer literacy part time course at the West Coast Business Development Centre (WCDC). The course formed part of Reputation Matters’ Awesome AfriCAN initiative and was made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship received from the Sea Harvest Foundation.   Read More...

The programme took the honours as it has not only generated numerous social benefits in the communities where it operates.

Call centre experts Merchants (a Dimension Data company) which partners with non-profit organisation Columba Leadership to activate the potential of young learners in under-resourced high schools, has been named co-winner of the prestigious 2018 Trialogue Strategic CSI Award.   Read More...

Companies spent an estimated R9.7 billion on corporate social investment (CSI) in South Africa in 2018 – a 7% year-on-year increase in rand terms (2017: R9.1 billion) and, taking inflation into account, the first real increase in five years, according to CSI and sustainability consultancy Trialogue. The company launched the 21st edition of the annual Trialogue Business in Society Handbook in Johannesburg on 28 November 2018.   Read More...

“Breastfeeding plays a significant role in contributing to the optimal health and development of a child” said Sue Jones, Chairman of SACSoWACH

This morning, the South African Civil Society for Women’s Adolescents’ and Children’s Health (SACSoWACH) hosted a roundtable discussion to encourage better implementation of the Code of Good Practice for breastfeeding in the workplace, in an effort  to create enabling environments for breastfeeding in the workplace. The event comes after a recent discovery that while women constitute close to half of the South African workforce (44%), the vast majority do not receive adequate maternity protection, support or facilities to promote breastfeeding.*   Read More...

For many businesses, the first thing they look for in a company’s financial statements is profits. When they see earnings are going up, they believe that the company is doing well.   Read More...

Managers and staff in the South African non-profit (NPO) and civil society sectors are increasingly dealing with extreme workplace stress due to, amongst other factors, growing socio-economic challenges and uncertainty about funding. It’s essential that they take steps to avoid burnout if they are to continue their vital work.   Read More...

The Mamas from Clover’s CSI project collectively care for over 13 000 children and 1 800 elderly people in their various communities

For most people, the festive season symbolised a time to slow down, unwind, rest and recuperate in preparation for the coming year. However, In the true spirit of giving, the Mamas from Clover’s CSI project, Clover Mama Afrika, who collectively care for over 13 000 children and 1 800 elderly people in their various communities, focused on giving back to the members of their communities.   Read More...

St Paul’s Primary School in the critically disadvantaged area of Faure near Cape Town, has been teaching and nurturing local children for 100 years. But sadly, many of them don't have school shoes. This is their story. #ShoesForSmiles   Read More...

Organisations in KZN had the opportunity to be acknowledged for effective and efficient waste management practices at the IWMSA KZN Waste Management Awards 2018. After a rigorous judging process, including site visits and audits, the winners were honoured for their positive contributions to the waste industry.   Read More...

The reality is, if we are going to save U-turn’s services to homeless people, we need your help

Over the years that we have known you, we have always considered you a friend and supporter of U-turn. Today I am writing with some somber news and an earnest request for assistance. We are asking our supporters if they can help U-turn Save Our Services (a U-turn SOS for sure!). The following gives rise to this urgent request.   Read More...

The Anna Foundation is delighted to have won 1st prize for the “GEES” charity competition at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon! #SCTMcharitygees .

For many years the Anna Foundation children have been participating in the Sanlam 5km Peace run as a build up to the marathon and manning a water table at the marathon. This year the organisers launched this new incentive. The Anna Foundation children from winelands’ rural farming communities will benefit directly from the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, Africa’s only IAAF Gold label status marathon by winning this amazing prize.   Read More...

Seven Engen sponsored bursars proudly received their graduation certificates at the Work4You Spring Stakeholders celebration in Salt River.

Cape-based NGO Work4You offers crucial work-training opportunities for persons with cognitive disabilities, significantly boosting employment of these young adults in the formal labour market.   Read More...

The winners of the SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards 2018 were announced on Thursday, 11 October 2018 at a ceremony i

During the evening, the SAB Foundation awarded a total of R12.5 million, with the overall Social Innovation Award winner walking away with R1.3 million and the overall Disability Empowerment Award winner walking away with R1.2 million. Several other grants, ranging from R200 000 to R900 000, were also awarded on the night.   Read More...

The Nelson Mandela Foundation is delighted to announce two upcoming public deliberations as part of the continuing the Centenary and as we commemorate the fifth anniversary of his passing. At the first event, titled Is’thunzi Sabafazi, media personality Oprah Winfrey will deliver a keynote address.   Read More...

Key role players in the waste and environmental management industries gathered at the Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg for the 24th biennial WasteCon conference and exhibition which took place from 15 to 19 October 2018. WasteCon is the flagship event of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA)   Read More...

The gym, which is a collaboration between Joburg City Parks and Zoo and Hi-Tec

The Gym was officially opened to the public on 17 October 2018. In celebration of the launch, Joburg City Parks and Zoo hosted an event that was attended by residents, learners from Emisebeni Primary School and City of Johannesburg officials.
    Read More...

The programme aims at improving the governance, academic, infrastructural, social and security environment in schools.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, chairperson and co-founder of the Adopt-a-School Foundation, addressed 1 040 guests at the Foundation’s 12th annual ‘Back to School’ party on Saturday 20 October 2018, at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and International Convention Centre, in Johannesburg.   Read More...

The course forms part of Reputation Matters’ AfriCAN initiative. It is currently in a pilot phase to empower community members

Over the last eight weeks, 43 community members from Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg attended a basic computer skills part time course at the Sijongo-Phambili Community Learning Centre in Hout Bay.   Read More...

Mentored by the charity Surfers Not Street Children, works with vulnerable young people through surfing, which has been supported by British Airways.

To the casual passers-by on a blustery day on Durban’s famed beachfront, it’s just a surfing lesson in the Indian Ocean’s warm seas. But a closer look reveals a story that’s far more interesting and inspiring. The two surfing instructors are S’nenhlanhla “Sne” Makhubu and Sihle Mbuto. They’re promising young semi-professional surfers who’ve been mentored by the charity Surfers Not Street Children, which works with vulnerable young people through surfing, and which has been supported by British Airways for more than a decade.   Read More...

A group of public and community stakeholders have re-affirmed that Mpumalanga’s future lies in its young children.

Smartstart and Penreach hosted a regional launch on 18 October at the Ehlanzeni District Municipality, to introduce the future of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Mpumalanga.   SmartStart is an early learning social franchise and was established with the intention of creating universal access to early learning opportunities for 3-and 4-year olds in South Africa. SmartStart’s goal is to bring quality and affordable early learning to one million children annually by 2025.   Read More...

Deadline for entries: 30 November 2018

The National Arts Festival and Distell have joined forces to seek out and showcase fresh storytellers and new voices with the launch of the Distell National Playwright Competition. The competition, for debut playwrights who haven’t staged their work before, is run in honour of Adam and Rosalie Small, the husband and wife duo who made a significant impact on South Africa’s literary, philosophical and educational landscape.   Read More...

The Living Link – Cape Town is hosting an Entrepreneurship Day to support their trainees

Bring some money and support our trainees as they learn business and money management skills!

Please feel free to pass on this information.

For more information about The Living Link you are welcome to visit our website www.thelivinglink.co.za   Read More...

Woolworths celebrates World Food Day with the launch of the One Small Spoon campaign to unite its employees, customers, suppliers, farmers, and other partners in a consolidated drive to contribute to ensuring that every South African accesses sufficient, nutritious food every day.   Read More...

Over the past 10 years, the Engen KlevaKidz’s often life-saving safety messages have reached over a quarter of a million vulnerable children.

Engen KlevaKidz is an annual educational campaign that uses industrial theatre to engage and educate young learners across South Africa about the importance of paraffin safety.
Engen is South Africa’s leading marketer of illuminating paraffin. Branded Laurel Paraffin, the energy source is extensively used by many South Africans in wick feed and pressure lamps, stoves, refrigerators and heaters, amongst its various industrial applications.   Read More...

Street performers fresh from the international festival circuit and some of SA’s hottest buskers will converge for the Cape Town Buskers Festival

This is the third Buskers Festival for the city and will be held between 1 and 11 November 2018, with the performers having rest days on 6 and 7 November. The Festival is partnered and sponsored by the V&A Waterfront as an extension of the platform it provides to performers to showcase their talent across the property.   Read More...

To honour the day we're asking for the public to please donate clothing and purchase vouchers for responsible giving.

We are very proud to be featured on eNCA today in prime time television as part of World Homeless Day!.
The shops, our skills & work based solution, as well as some of the incredible client stories featured beautifully in the interview. (see the interview video below)

Find more info here to donate clothing and purchase vouchers http://homeless.org.za/get-involved

Feel free to comment and share and thank you for your support to get U-turn to this proud moment!   Read More...

This multi-funder initiated campaign aims to confront the hidden challenge of chronic under-nutrition in South Africa.

Johannesburg, 12 October 2018: The Grow Great campaign will be officially launched in Johannesburg on 17 October 2018. This multi-funder initiated campaign aims to confront the hidden challenge of chronic under-nutrition in South Africa and will mobilise the nation to achieve zero-stunting by 2030. Given her commitment to maternal and child health and her advocacy for early childhood development, the First Lady Dr. Tshepo Motsepe will deliver the keynote address at the media launch of the Grow Great Campaign.   Read More...