Category Archives: Charity & Selfless Service

Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and Cotton On Invest R6,4 million in Youth-Led Mental Health Initiatives in South Africa

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Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and Cotton On have announced their R6,4 million donation towards 6 South African mental health organisations. This forms part of $3,000,000 USD funding of 65 youth-centered organizations across ten countries through the Kindness in Community Fund, among the largest funding efforts to provide direct support for youth mental health across the world.

From nominations to the initial review to selecting the shortlist, all the way to the final selection, young people in each region were engaged at each step, ensuring their input and perspectives were central to the decision-making process and reflecting their genuine needs and priorities in mental health.

The Kindness in Community Fund grantees span a wide range of focus areas, including direct mental health service providers, arts and culture, youth leadership and development, education, sports and recreation, and more. By offering up to $150,000 USD per organization, the fund enables services that respond to the top themes young people hoped to address in their regions, including culturally competent services, LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy, gender-based violence support, de-stigmatizing mental health, and migrant and refugee community care. The Kindness in Community Fund offers a comprehensive approach that connects young people with a wide range of free, accessible resources and opportunities to support themselves and their peers.

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Gert-Johan Coetzee Fashion Design Bursary 2024: Empowering the Future of South African Fashion

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Celebrated fashion luminary Gert-Johan Coetzee proudly announces the continuation of his esteemed Fashion Design Bursary into 2024, marking another milestone in his ongoing commitment to nurturing South Africa’s emerging design talent. Established in 2009 and hosted annually at the North-West School of Design, this transformative bursary has become synonymous with fashion education and career empowerment. 

The Gert-Johan Coetzee Fashion Design Bursary offers a unique opportunity for one deserving individual to embark on a comprehensive three-year fashion journey at Gert-Johan Coetzee’s alma mater. The recipient will delve into a curriculum designed to cultivate technical prowess, conceptual creativity and industry acumen under the guidance of seasoned professionals. 

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Wonderbag Helps Those In Need Post KZN Tornado

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On the 3rd of June 2024, a devastating tornado tore through Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak. Over two thousand people have been displaced, and the damage to major infrastructure such as roads and schools is extensive. Tongaat also being home to Wonderbag’s factory, meant the impact of the natural disaster was felt directly by this ‘global’ business whose staff members from the area lost their homes and personal belongings in a matter of seconds.

“As of yesterday, the death toll has risen to 11. Sadly 10 of our dedicated staff members lost their homes in a matter of seconds as the tornado struck. Visiting the devastated area, it was as if 10,000 bulldozers had torn through, destroying everything in their path. Not only for the sake of our affected staff members – but for all those in the community, our community, we need to do what we can to uplift those who have suffered loss. The Wonderbag can at least provide some comfort by ensuring hot meals for those affected. Wonderbag is also supporting rebuilding houses and providing food to cook nutrious meals for affected people and families. The donations that we receive will go toward people in the area that have lost everything. Our mission has always been deeply humanitarian, inclusive, and apolitical, focusing on feeding people, preserving dignity, and championing global freedom of choice,” said Collins.

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Support Reach For A Dream’s Slipper Day on 31 May 2024

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Get ready to kick off your shoes and step into the cosiest, most heartwarming day of the year. Slipper Day, Reach For A Dream’s biggest fundraiser, returns on 31 May 2024, promising a day filled with warmth, generosity, and fun—all in support of children with life-threatening illnesses.

Since its inauguration in 2011, Slipper Day has become a nationwide movement where everyone from office workers to school children band together to make dreams come true for children with critical diseases like cancer, renal failure, and heart conditions, simply by buying a R20 sticker and wearing it with their slippers on the day.

This year’s theme, “Step into My Slippers,” focuses on empathy, fun, and stepping into the shoes (or rather, slippers) of these brave children. This simple act demonstrates solidarity and support for these children, who often spend their days in slippers due to their health conditions.

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Pick n Pay Clothing and Sari For Change Collaboration

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My sister-in-law, Rayana Edwards, is the Founder and CEO of Sari For Change, a foundation that is dedicated to empowering unemployed women and promoting sustainability by upcycling gently worn saris into stunning, new and unique dresses. I own 4 unique recycled saris that have been made into wrap dresses by Sari for Change and I always get compliments whenever I wear them.

Hence, I was so excited to hear that Pick n Pay Clothing has partnered with the Sari for Change Foundation and together they have unveiled a limited and exclusive range of versatile wrap dresses which can be worn in three unique ways. The dresses are available in a kaleidoscope of beautiful colours, ensuring there’s something to complement every style preference.

Each dress is one-of-a-kind and embodies a story of renewal and uniqueness, as it is crafted from a single donated sari carrying its individual heritage. With only 200 dresses available, these exclusive pieces went on sale this week, at four Pick n Pay Clothing stores: Cavendish, Canal Walk, Sandton City and Gateway. Through the partnership, customers can buy one of these exclusive dresses for R369,99, which usually retails for over R1,000.

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