Community Chest launches the Charitable Workers' Club

First draw winner (Rosalind Govender – Ben Booysen Airconditioning Refrigeration (Pty) Ltd) walked away with a handsome R1000 shopping voucher). (right) Second draw winner (Simphiwe Mahlaba – Msunduzi Municipality – Roads Department) went home smiling with a R750 shopping voucher) and (left) third draw prize winner Colin Love – Woodrite went away feeling blessed with his surprise windfall of a R500 shopping voucher.

There were hearty congratulations all around as the winners of the Community Chest’s Charitable Workers’ Club (CWC) collected their Lucky Draw Prizes.

Are you a workplace donor to the Community Chest but not yet signed up as a CWC member? Do so immediately to qualify for entry into the next CWC Lucky Draw Competition. If your company/business/factory is not yet participating in charitable giving, contact Sma Sokhela on 033 394 1031 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how you too can become a charitable donor, with some lucky benefits.

The CWC (Charitable Workers' Club) is based on our existing Workplace Giving Programme. The launch of the CWC Club has provided Community Chest an appropriate mechanism by which we can communicate better with our employee/staff donors as well as appreciate them with tokens, as and when the opportunity allows.

Congratulations to Lucky Draw Winners

Eshara Naidoo, winner of the 1^st Draw/Prize of R5,000.00

Tembi Zuma, winner of the 3^rd Draw/Prize of R1,250.00

(L) Richard Rangiah (Executive Director, Community Chest) congratulates Eshara Naidoo, winner of the 1^st Draw/Prize of R5,000.00 (Ticket # 01163) and together with Christian Dlamini (Community Chest M&E Officer) congratulates Tembi Zuma, winner of the 3^rd Draw/Prize of R1,250.00 (Ticket # 05371). Candice Bunn, from Greytown, was the lucky 2^nd Draw/Prize winner (Ticket # 07122).

At 12h00, 08 December 2022, the moment finally arrived to draw 3 lucky winners for the Community Chest Lucky Draw Competition. Present at the draw were interested members of the community who had supported the Lucky Ticket Draw Competition. Richard Rangiah, Director of the Community Chest and NLC appointed Society Manager for the licence operated by the Community Chest adjudicated the proceedings. The selection of the winning tickets was done using a random number generator app to ensure fairness to all eligible tickets. The Community Chest congratulates all 3 winners and extends its appreciation to all the supporters of the Competition.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Charities handover

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The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) hosted its Charities handover today at Comrades House. We thank the CMA, our Superhero runners and supporters for helping the Community Chest raise a total of R 644.426 from the 2022 Comrades Marathon campaign! CMA Chairperson, Mqondisi Ngcobo said, “The CMA has come a long way since it set up the Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive 26 years ago. We realized back then that as the leading road race in the country and as South Africa’s most inclusive sporting event, we could do more to promote charitable work and charitable giving in our country. We are pleased to note that our Comrades runners have gotten behind this initiative from the beginning and have grown it into a real force for good. Long may we prioritize charitable giving and keep doing more for the benefit of all those who need it.”

Remarkable Man Golf Day 2022 - A Huge Success

Celebrating the winners of the Remarkable Man Golf Day is Dr Keith Wimble (Owner of Hayfields KwikSpar), Mr Lungisani Majola (Winner of the Remarkable Man Golf Day), Miss Shallona Maharaj (Head of Marketing – Makhaotse Narasimulu and Associates), Mr Harold Kippen (Site Manager – Barloworld Logistics in Sobantu & winner of the Remarkable Man Golf Day ) as well as Mr Richard Rangiah (Executive Director – Community Chest)

 “Remarkable Women who also supported the Remarkable Man Golf Day” namely Colette McCord, Lindy Truter, Mandy-Leigh Bekker and Robyn Becker

Community Chest in partnership of their major donors namely Makhaotse Narasimulu and Associates, Moosa Allee Insurance Brokers, Hayfields KwikSpar, The Mall @Scottsville, Hopelands Hospital, Jawitz Properties and Joeys Towing Services hosted their annual Remarkable Man Golf Day on Friday 11^th November 2022 at Maritzburg Golf Club.

Hats off to our many sponsors who have so generously sponsored and hosted our golfers at the different tee boxes on the golf course, special thanks to Shospec for facilitating a competition at their Tee Box and donating all the proceeds to Community Chest, A huge thank you to all our sponsors who generously sponsored prizes, water, wine and made a generous sponsorship, which ensured the success of this annual event. Special thanks and appreciation to all our remarkable golfers who gave up their time in their busy schedule to support the Golf Tournament.

Congratulations and well done to all 6 place winners of the tournament as well those who won lovely gifts through the lucky draw competition. Well done to Sam Pillay who won the raffle prize which is a game of golf for 4 people including the carts at Wild Coast Sun, a gents watch thanks to D K Soni and a bottle of Jameson sponsored by Joeys Towing Services.

Community Chest is most grateful to Capital Media for their ongoing support as Print Media Partner.

Thank you once again to all our supporters for making the Remarkable Man Golf Day another year of success!                                                       

“Together we shall serve our remarkable Community through Community Chest”

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 Sarah Pennington celebrates her 96th Birthday and receives the John Hall Extra Mile Award

Sarah Pennington was born in Much Hadham in England in 1926.

At the tender age of 17, she joined the Navy (WRNS - Woman’s Royal Naval Service) where she was given the job as a stoker. Later, in 1946, she moved to South Africa, where she met her husband, Rex. Together, they built a family and home around their 5 children. At the time of his retirement, Rex was the Rector of Michaelhouse.

At the age of 50, with boldness and passion, Sarah launched herself into a career as an interior decorator. It didn’t take long before she was recognised for her talent and her renown spread widely across Johannesburg. Her talent was recognised by the industry when she won a National Competition for entrepreneurs over 60. Her love for decorating and desire to help those in need inspired her to refurbish and decorate various comfort rooms in hospitals, retirement homes and charity offices.

Sarah believes that we are as old as we feel and her motto in life is “Just Do It”. She strongly believes that anything is possible if we just believe in ourselves, have passion and are prepared to work for it.

Sarah’s feisty and passion for helping other has left an indelible mark on numerous charitable organisations, most notably, that of the Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest of which she is a loyal, dedicated and long-standing patron.

There isn’t anything that Sarah was not willing to get her hands (and feet) working for the benefit of those less fortunate in our community. From assisting with the donations of porridge for children in crèches in impoverished areas, to sewing hundreds of little cushions for ladies in retirement homes, to becoming the person who founded the Teddy Bear Project, she has always risen to the occasion and helped in whichever way she could.

For her charitable spirit, Sarah was recognised, twice (2017/17 and 2021/22). The John Hall Extra Mile Award from the Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest. The John Hall Extra Mile Award recognizes patrons of the Community Chest who go the proverbial extra mile in service to the Community Chest and its beneficiaries.

Sarah has the knack of getting what others consider the impossible done. On one occasion, she orchestrated the donation of hand creams and other toiletries which arrived on pantechnicon from Unilever and delivered to senior citizens, residing in a deep rural community.

Of all the projects that Sarah was involved in, her signature project became “Teddy Bear Project” and she earned the title of “Bear Lady”. Through her charismatic personality and determination, she recruited many young and old ladies in KZN to knit thousands of teddy bears for deserving children. Sarah went the extra mile in 2018 when she made an appeal to Saprotex, a wool supplier in East London, to donate large amounts of wool for the project. It is thanks to her that the Community Chest, in 2022, still able to continue with the Teddy Bear Project. These greatly needed and appreciated teddy bears convey feelings of hope and joy to thousands of pre-school children in impoverished communities, children in hospitals and children residing in protective shelters and children’s homes.

Sarah celebrated her 96th birthday in October 2022. To celebrate the occasion and Sarah’s 2nd awarding of the John Hall Extra Mile award, a special tea was arranged by the Community Chest together with residents at the Isabel Beardmore Home for the Aged. Surrounded by people was what Sarah appreciated most and the occasion gave her the perfect opportunity to bring out her sparkle and ever sharp, humorous wit.

Special thanks and appreciation to Rakisha Maharaj, Kavitha Dhanilal, Parklane Superspar, the media and residents of Isabel Beadmore Home for making this event a success

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Nu-Print’s ongoing support to the Community Chest

Mr & Mrs Victor Pillay (Founders of Nu-Print) proudly displaying copies of the Community Chest’s 2021/22 Annual Report, which was printed, at no charge, by Nu-Print.

It came as a wonderful boon to the Community Chest when Nu-Print unexpectedly announced that they will print the Community Chest’s 2021/22 Annual Report, free of charge!

Nu-Print is a longstanding and loyal supporter of the Community Chest.  The company is well known for enhancing communities and restoring hope across our Municipal District. Nu-Print is a sponsor of Community Chest’s first ever public Lucky Draw competition, which involved the printing of the tickets. At only R5.00 per ticket and 3 chances to win R5,000.00 (1^st draw), R2,500.00 (2^nd draw) and R1,250.00 (3^rd draw).  The Community Chest is pleased that it can now also give back to all those who support the work of the Community Chest, irrespective of how big or small that contribution may be. Contact Angie on 033 3941031 or 0727910311 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details on how you can support this initiative or purchase tickets.

Founded in 1984 by Mr Victor Pillay, Nu-Print has grown steadily over the years to become a service provider of note in the business sector.  Nu-Print provides a variety of services to the public and businesses, including the printing of letterheads, business cards, annual reports as well as posters and calendars. Nu-Print also provides rubber stamps, foiling and much more.

“Thank You!” Nu-Print and the Pillay Family for your generous support to the Community Chest. May your enterprise continue to grow from strength to strength.

It’s time to make your mark in the Community Chest Remarkable Man Golf Day!

Richard Rangiah (Community Chest), Moosa Allee (Moosa Allee Insurance Brokers), Brett Mantel & Lee Scheepers (Jawitz Properties), Phindile Gumede & Dhevan Pillay (Makhaotse Narasimulu and Associates), Cllr Bhekani Mahlangeni together with Dr Keith Wimble (Hayfields Kwik Spar) putting in some practice for the Community Chest’s “Remarkable Man Golf Day” on 11^th November 2022 at Maritzburg Golf Club.

Together with their major sponsors, namely Moosa Allee Insurance Brokers, Makhaotse Narasimulu and Associates, Hayfields Kwik Spar, Jawitz Properties, The Mall @Scottsville and Capital Newspapers, the Community Chest invites golf enthusiasts to join them for an entertaining day in celebrating those remarkable young businessmen, some 62 years ago who pioneered the beginnings of the Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest. Book you place now and join many more current remarkable men (and ladies) on 11 November 2022, at the Maritzburg Golf Club. Format for the day is a 4Ball, Betterball Stableford with a reasonable cost of R2000 per team. Entry includes green fees, goodie bags and snacks at registration. Prizes awarded to the top 5 teams, nearest to pin, longest drive and the first Hole-In-One on the 3^rd hole wins a brand new Golf Cart, worth R165 000.

The Community Chest and sponsors are inviting more businesses to lend their support to this event by sponsoring one of the 18 holes at only R1,000.00 or the putting green for R1500. All sponsorships will qualify for tax certificates. A big “Thank You!” to all our sponsors thus far. You are remarkable beyond measure.

For more information, please contact Angie Narayanan on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0727910311.

 Win big with Community Chest’s Lucky Draw Competition

Ayanda Ntombela and Nomvelo Cebekhulu (DUT Students and Interns at Community Chest) are excited about assisting with the Lucky Draw Competition hosted by Community Chest

The Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest has been offered a rare opportunity by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) to conduct public lottery schemes (NLC Society Registration Number 00397). To launch this brand new fund-raising opportunity, the Community Chest is conducting a Lucky Draw competition in which 3 members of the public stand the chance to win one of 3 cash prizes for the donation of just R5.00 per ticket.

The 1^st Draw/Prize is R5,000.00 cash, the 2^nd Draw/Prize is R2,500.00 cash and the 3^rd Draw/Prize is R1,250.00. All proceeds, after administration costs are recovered, will go towards supporting the work of the Community Chest and it Community Impact Partners (other not-for-profit organisations) who are helping to enhance our community and to restore hope to those in need.

The Lucky Draw Competition runs from September 2022, with the draw taking place on 8 December 2022. Winners will be contacted directly as well as the winning ticket numbers published on the Community Chest social media platforms and in other community news platforms.

Executive Director of the Community Chest, Richard Rangiah invites all bona fide not-for-profit organisations and public schools wishing to partner with the Community Chest and to benefit from this opportunity to contact the Community Chest Office on 033 394 1031 for more information. He envisages more of such competitions going forward, allowing for not-for-profit organisations and public schools to share the benefits from such opportunities.

The Lucky Draw Competition is governed by rules, terms and conditions under which the Community Chest was granted a licence to operate as a Society of the NLC. These rules, terms and conditions will apply to all schemes that the Community Chest conducts under this licence.

For enquiries, please contact Christian Dlamini on 033 3941031 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Newly launched Charitable Workers’ Club – “Employees who Care”

Sma Sokhela (Community Chest) congratulates Mlungisi Shangase (Umgeni Water) on being the first to sign-up as a member of the Charitable Workers’ Club. The Club is a new initiative of the Community Chest’s Workplace Giving initiative.

The Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest is proud to announce the launch of its new workplace-giving initiative known as the Charitable Workers’ Club.

The Charitable Workers’ Club is a club of employees from various workplaces who are committed to helping people in need across our community by making a regular weekly or monthly donations via payroll deduction or debit order to the Community Chest. Workplace Giving is, in fact, the backbone of the Community Chest’s donor support. With the launch of the Club, the Community Chest is transforming the Workplace Giving mechanism into the Charitable Workers’ Club so that we can better appreciate all employees who on a regular basis donate from their wage or salary.  

Membership of the Club is only for employees. This includes employees who are currently supporting the Community Chest through Workplace Giving and any employee who wishes to join. Membership is optional. The membership fee is a weekly donation of R5.00 or R20.00 monthly. Employees are encouraged to join the Club as there are many great benefits to follow, such as quarterly Lucky Draw Competitions.

To promote the launch of the Club, the Community Chest is holding a Launch Lucky Draw Competition for its signed up members. Three shopping vouchers are up for grabs to three lucky members, each worth R1,000.00, R750.00 and R500.00 respectively. Closing date for the Launch Lucky Draw Competition is 28 February 2023.

Employers and corporate HR Practitioners are invited to encourage their employees to become a member of this great philanthropic initiative. The Community Chest fundraising team will gladly visit your workplace and address employees in detail on how the initiative works and how it can benefit them as employees too.

Employees, irrespective of whether you are already a contributor to the Workplace Giving program or not and Employers keen to support their employees participate and benefit from the new Charitable Workers’ Club, please contact Sma Sokhela on 033-3941031 (office hours) or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Remember, if you are an employee who is already supporting the Community Chest through the Workplace Giving program, there is no obligation to join the Club - your current contribution will continue to be received, with thanks, by the Community Chest. We at the Community Chest strongly believe that every rand counts and we appreciate every rand donated. However, by becoming a member of the Club, now Community Chest will have the opportunity to give back to you as well!

The Community Chest appreciates Umgeni Water who recently invited them to their annual Wellness Day. This was a wonderful opportunity given to Community Chest to thank all Workplace Giving donors for their loyal support to the Community Chest and in the process sign up 19 employees to the Charitable Workers’ Club, with promises of more employees keen to join. A special welcome to the first recruits of the Club and we wish you all the best in the Launch Lucky Draw competition.

Workplace giving is one of the many income streams used by Community Chest to raise and distribute funds to other partner not-for-profit organisations (NPOs). These partner NPOs reach out into our community and help thousands of people in need, on a daily basis.

Join the Charitable Workers’ Club today! Become one among the many “Employees who care”!

Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest has new wheels!

Virath Gobrie (General Manager – Sibaya Casino), Sma Sokhela (Resource Mobilisation Officer – Community Chest), Niresh Gayadin, Vuka Tshabalala (Trustee Sibaya Community Trust), Vivian Reddy (Chairman of Sibaya Casino and the Sibaya Community Trust) and Deshun Naidoo (Trustee – Sibaya Community Trust)

Effective fund-raising requires one to be on the move - quickly and safely. Access to reliable and safe transport was becoming a growing challenge to the Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest in recent years as its aging vehicle used by its Resource Mobilisation Officers was signalling time to be put out to pasture.

Whilst the Community Chest is famous for raising millions of rand in funds and donations-in-kind for the benefit of other not-for-profit organisations, the public rarely gets to realise that the Community Chest itself is also only as effective as fund-raiser as its staff and the tools they have at hand to do the difficult task of mobilising funds and other donations on behalf of the less fortunate of our community. The need for another, more reliable motor vehicle was becoming an ever more urgent need for the Community Chest as the economy and communities opened up again, following the recent Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

It is with great appreciation and thanks then, that the Community Chest received with gratitude last week a brand new motor vehicle, generously sponsored jointly by the Sibaya Community Trust and Niresh Gayadin Insurance Brokers.

Sibaya Community Trust, chaired by renowned philanthropist Mr Vivian Reddy, who is a longstanding patron of the Community Chest, was established in 1998 to serve as a catalyst for social philanthropy.

Niresh Gayadin, is also a longstanding patron of the Community Chest.

Together the Community Chest Council, Staff, partner not-for-profit organisations and the thousands of beneficiaries across the Umgungundlovu District, salute both Sibaya Community Trust and Niresh Gayadin Insurance Brokers for the collaboration that made this much needed resource available to the Community Chest. Also, a special word of appreciation to Mr Joey Govender of Joeys Towing for fuelling all Community Chest vehicles, since 2011

If you wish to help Community Chest in its various projects and initiatives, call Angie Narayanan on 0727910311 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." (Ryunosuke Satoro).

  Caltex Bird Sanctuary provides cereal for over 165 deserving children

Christian Dlamini (Community Chest) is overjoyed to receive a donation of breakfast cereal from Caltex Bird Sanctuary. Ridwaan Pillay, Anitha Sithalpersad, Senzeni Sithole, Themba Mthembu and Lindelihle Mpulo from Caltex Bird Sanctuary give a thumbs up to Community Chest for its sterling efforts in enhancing our community.

Trevor Visvanathan (Owner, Caltex Bird Sanctuary) is a longstanding patron of the Community Chest. He is well known for his philanthropic spirit, benefitting numerous not-for-profit organisations and their beneficiaries.

Visvanathan most recently responded to an appeal from the Community Chest for support for its cluster of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the form of breakfast cereal. In response, Visvanathan made a generous donation of R15,000 worth of cereal which will help provide a nutritious breakfast to 165 children.

The Community Chest salutes Caltex Bird Sanctuary for helping enhance our communities, one child at a time. In the same spirit, the Community Chest acknowledges and appreciates all other donors who have so kindly responded with donations of boxes of cereal to the Breakfast Cereal Drive. A special word of appreciation to Cascades Lifestyle Centre, The Mall @ Scottsville, Spar, at the Quarry and many other private individuals who assisted to make this project a success.

If you wish support the Community Chest in their Breakfast Cereal Drive or any other of its initiatives, please email Angie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call on 0727910311 to pledge your support.

Hulamin Ltd. secures water supply for Siphumelele Crèche, thanks to Community Chest

L-R Gugu Ngubane (Siphumelele Crèche), Sma Sokhela (Community Chest), Buyi Ntuli (Communications Co-Ordinator) with Delisile Nkandi and Zodwa Molefe (Siphumelele Crèche) and some of the children, giving a thumbs up to Hulamin Ltd for their donation of 2 (JoJo) Water Tanks and a Water Pump

The early development of a child is critical in laying the foundation for future growth of a child into adulthood. Play is the means by which children learn and grow. Play is the primary means by which children learn to socialize, to think, to solve problems and mature emotionally. Research shows that 90% of brain development occurs by age five (5). Good nutrition with age appropriate age related mental and emotional stimulation is thus key to establishing a child on the road to a successful and healthy future.

It is for this reason the Community Chest puts so much of energy into supporting the proper establishment of a cluster of 37 Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres with a collective total of 2,040 children across the Umgungundlovu District. Every rand invested in quality early childhood development for children now will reap 7 to 10 percent return in investment, per child, per year in the future. Quite simply, this leads to increased productivity economically and a reduced social spending burden on government, in the future.

Siphumelele Crèche is located in the heart KwaDindi - a rural area with limited infrastructure and services. Even with infrastructure in place, reliability of something as essential as water remains a major problem. The Community Chest together with Siphumelele Crèche are thus most appreciative to Hulamin Ltd. for funding the installation of two much needed (JoJo) water tanks and a Water Pump for the Crèche.

It was a day of celebration and festivities all round, when the project was finally signed-off and handed over to the Crèche by representatives of Hulamin Ltd and Community Chest.

If you wish to assist the Community Chest in enhancing our communities through various other projects, please contact Sma Sokhela on 033-3941031 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Comrades Marathon 2022 – Community Chest is a winner too!

The best ultramarathon in the world and the most inclusive sporting event in South Africa, the Comrades Marathon was held on Sunday 28^th August 2022. Over 15,000 runners from 70 nations around the world descended on Pietermaritzburg to participate in the 95th edition of this world-famous race. The down run started at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 05h30 and finished 12 hours later at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The Community Chests of Durban and Pietermaritzburg jointly were privileged to be one of the official AmaBeadiBeadi Charities. AmabeadiBeadi is the official charity platform of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA).

Likewise, as an official charity of the CMA, the Community Chest was permitted to use the CMA’s Race4Charity opportunity to encourage runners to sign up to run for a charity of their choice. Runners who signed up to run on behalf of the Community Chest are true SUPERHEROS  - using their passion for running and love of helping others in need, they collectively raised over R320 000 which will be used towards educating and nourishing over 6,000 children in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector. Thank you SUPERHEROS! Your magnanimous efforts will last a lifetime for every child who benefits from your efforts.

Another opportunity afforded to the CMA official charities to raise funds was at the Comrades Marathon EXPO, which was held from the 25^th to 27^th of August 2022. A third opportunity given to charities was through the sale of raffle tickets for the Comrades Marathon “Win a Toyota” car competition. The winner of the Toyota Corolla 1.8L is Keo Molokwane from Roodepoort – Congratulations.

Last, but by no means least, the CMA offers each of its official charities an opportunity to host a Refreshment Station on the Comrades Marathon route. This year the Community Chest was allocated Refreshment Station #44, just 2km before the finish line of the race. Community Chest staff, volunteers and our donor partner, Dawoods Frozen Foods had the opportunity to show our appreciation to the CMA and all the brave runners by serving them much needed water and other forms of assistance on their way to the finish line. Thank you Dawoods Frozen Foods for making Refreshment Station #44 a truly memorable experience.

To participate in a Comrades Marathon, especially if you live outside of KZN, can be a costly affair. However, thanks to the CMA, runners who are in need of assistance on the night before and after the run, can enjoy the accommodation and hospitality provided by the CMA. This year over 250 runners benefitted from this service. Thank you “Precious & Team” for a wonderful effort of ensuring that all runners under your care had a comfortable and safe stay with you. The Community Chest was honoured yet again to have facilitated this service for runners on behalf of the CMA.

To the CMA – officials, staff and volunteers, thank you for adopting Community Chest into your stable of benefitting charities. Congratulations on conducting an amazing and successful race. The Community Chest is proud to be associated with the Comrades Marathon, its officials, staff and volunteers.

Are you planning to run the Comrades Marathon in 2023? Do you want to make your effort count for something bigger than just running? Unleash the SUPERHERO within you! Call Angie on 0727910311 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or email on Fadeela This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to make a life-changing difference to 6,000 children.

Aluminium Foil Converters (AFC) gives Community Chest a hefty boost in its resource mobilisation drive

(L-R) Richard Rangiah (Executive Director – Community Chest) presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Greg Moody (Managing Executive - Aluminium Foil Converters), for their generous donation received for the 2022/23 financial year.

Aluminium Foil Converters (a division of Bidvest Paperplus (Pty) Ltd) has a long and well established presence in Pietermaritzburg. The company prides itself in being flexible and swiftly responsive to the manufacture and supply of short run closures for the Dairy, Pharmaceutical, Confectionery and Food sectors. Customers recognise AFC for their innovative can-do approach and specialization to take on complex projects that others may turn down. Their integrity, belief in quality, people and service ethics are also the cornerstones of this recognition.

The Community Chest is therefore proud to be considered AFC’s Charity of Choice through a recent generous donation towards our 2022/23 resource mobilisation efforts. The Community Chest takes pride in the fact that good governance and accountability for donor funds remain our top priority. Equally important is that our Community Impact Partners (CIPs) use donor funds for the intended purpose – thus monitoring and evaluation of Community Chest funded work is regularly undertaken.

“Thank You!” Aluminium Foil Converters for donation. We value your support and look forward to many more years of partnership with you.

If you wish to make Community Chest your Charity of Choice, please contact Angie Narayanan on 0727910311 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dare to be Red – Women’s Day Breakfast 2022 Celebrates Phenomenal Women

After 2 years of virtual celebration of Women’s Day (9 August), there was great excitement in the air as Friday 12 August approached. It was D-day for the Community Chest’s 2022 edition of Dare to be Red Women’s Day Breakfast. The event, which with each passing year, is acquiring a “Can’t be missed!” status. The 180+ women attending the event were not nothing less than gobsmacked by a breakfast morning like no other.

The colour red together with black and white is prominent in branding of the Community Chest. From simple beginnings where “Dare to be Red”, as the theme for the event encouraged attendees to dress with red as a prominent colour in their attire, the Women’s Breakfast has evolved to mean so much more. The colour red symbolises many things, some being - passion, warmth, courage, power, love and life. The “Dare to be Red” challenge has evolved to become a call to the women across our communities to stand up, stand out and be counted for all the valuable roles women play in enhancing our communities and restoring hope to those in despair.

With the Conference Room at the Golden Horse Casino as the perfect venue setting, it was a sight to behold the more than 180 women set the room ablaze with bold and subtle showing of the colour red through their outfits.

The morning began with warm words of welcome from Primi Chetty, (CEO –Shuter & Shooter Publishers) and the Chairperson of the Community Chest. Then it was over to Melanie Veness (CEO PMBC) who was nothing short of excellent in her role as Program Director for the event.

The programme was filled with entertainment, a scrumptious breakfast, an unbelievable number of lucky-draw prizes, goodie bags, dance and exercise demonstrations by De La Dansa Fitness Studio, musical items by vocalists Valerie Bandu and Delana Cader. On a more serious note, the ladies were offered words of wisdom by 3 inspirational speakers -  Nontuthuko Mashimane who is an Ethno-medical Practitioner, Romilla Chetty, a loyal patron of Community Chest and Slindile Zondi, a Social worker based at Abrina Esther House which assists women confronting domestic abuse.

Fameeda Kikia won raffle prize - a stunning painting entitled “Lady in Red” which was generously sponsored by artist Delaine Cools. Thuli Khumalo, representing the table from Shuter & Shooter Publishers won the “Mystery Box” auction with an amazing bid of R4,300. The “Mystery Box” was generously sponsored by Roshini Pillay and her team. To top it all, every lady present walked away with a Wonderbag!

An event of this nature and value for money would not be possible without the many sponsors who joined with the Community Chest to recognise the invaluable worth and role of all women in holding our communities together. A special word of appreciation goes to those who sponsored tickets on behalf of a number of deserving women.

Whilst some donors wish to remain anonymous, the Community Chest salutes them together with the following partners who helped make the Dare to be Red 2022 Women’s Day Breakfast a resounding success - Aluminium Foil Converters, Aquatec Pumps, Best Drive (Allandale), Candles & Décor, Capital Newspapers, Clear Cut Glass, Crude Lubricants KZN & Crude Petroleum, Delaine Cools, Dr Adithya Purmisar, Dr Sanjay Maharaj,  Powertrade, Pravilla Barney, Golden Horse Casino, Govenders Garage, Honey, Hygeia Total Hygiene Solutions, J Leslie Smith & Co., Joeys Towing Services, Lotus Aura, Melanie Veness, Merusha Vather, MSW Consulting, Muirheads Hiring, Nu-Print, Rakisha Maharaj, Shopily, Shuter & Shooter Publishers, Spar (Selgro Centre),Tamara Govender, The Mall @ Scottsville, Vanuja Maharaj, Venetian Blind Centre, Wayne Scrap Metals, Wonderbag, Yash Sounds and by no means least, all participants who purchased a ticket in support of this event.  Special thanks to Riona Rajkumar who ended the event with a dance and did the vote of thanks.

“A beautiful woman draws strength from troubles, smiles during distress and grows stronger with prayers & hope – You are one of them!” Save-the-Date for the 2023 edition of Dare to be Red – Women Day Breakfast: 11^th August 2023.

If you wish to support any of Community Chest’s event or projects and help make a difference to enhance our community, contact Angie Narayanan on 0727910311 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,za

 Community Chest marks 62 years of service at its 2022 AGM

The Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest held its 62^nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 4^th August 2022 at 10h00 at the Ascot Room, Golden Horse Casino, Pietermaritzburg.

Donor representatives, invited guests, Members of the Community Chest Council and Staff were addressed by Chairperson, Mrs Primi Chetty (CEO – Shuter & Shooter), Mr Richard Rangiah (Executive Director, Community Chest) and Treasurer, Mr F J Riekert CA (SA) (Managing Director – Moore Midlands).

All-in-all, the reports spoke of the challenging times faced by the Community Chest during the past year as our country still reeled under the Covid-19 pandemic, but thanks to the wise governance and careful management of the Organisation, the Community Chest did well to emerge from the pandemic on solid ground and strengthened to sustain itself for another year and beyond.

On behalf of the Council, the Chairperson extended it gratitude to donors for their support, loyalty and interest in the work of Community Chest. A special word of appreciation was also extended to the Staff for their loyalty and sacrifices made in ensuring the survival of the Community Chest under difficult circumstances.

Special mention was made of the Shuter-Craib Legacy which in the 2021/22 financial year fulfilled its final of five tranche donations towards securing the Community Chest’s long term sustainability through a total amount of R2 million rand.

In keeping with tradition, the time of the AGM is when the Community Chest announces its annual winner of the John Hall Extra Mile Award. For 2021/22 the award goes to 95-year old Mrs Sarah Pennington in recognition for her exceptional philanthropy as well as loyal support to the Community Chest. The John Hall Extra Mile Award was instituted after Mr John Hall went the proverbial extra mile in 2013 by funding major renovations and refurbishing of the Community Chest Offices.

The Community Chest also appreciates Golden Horse Casino for making this event a success. AGM guests were treated to a well set venue for the occasion together with the provision of light refreshments, all at a discounted rate.

For more information on the work of the Community Chest and/or should you wish to partner with Community Chest, please contact Angie Narayanan on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0727910311 / 033 394 1031.

Hilton Quarry Superspar joins Community Chest in its Breakfast Cereal Drive for over 2,000 children

L-R Ayanda Ntombela (Community Chest - Intern) smiles with joy on visiting the Hilton Quarry Superspar to collect some of the boxes of breakfast cereal donated by the Superspar patrons. Supporting Ayanda are Sarah Pennington (Patron - Community Chest), Hashina Singh (Floor Manager - Hilton Quarry Superspar) and Rakisha Maharaj (Donor - Community Chest) for supporting the Cereal Drive.

The Muslim Community of SA donates a vehicle to Midlands Hospice

L-R Angie Narayanan (Community Chest) and Meghan Coslett (Midlands Hospice) give a “Thank You!” thumbs-up to the Muslim Community of South Africa, for their generous donation of a much needed vehicle for the Midlands Hospice

Midlands Hospice (formerly Howick Hospice) was established in 1987. Their main objectives are to provide free palliative care, education and psycho-social support to those who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer, motor neurone disease, HIV/Aids and TB. Many of their patients live in impoverished conditions with limited access to basic health services and are very dependent on the care and support received from Midlands Hospice.

The Community Chest encourages its impact partners, like Midlands Hospice, to strive for greater self-reliance through building streams of income from income-generating activities. Increasingly, NPOs (not for profit organisations) are recognizing that it is not feasible to rely or become dependent on donor funding alone to remain operational. Over the past few years, Midlands Hospice has lead the way in growing its self-sustainability through its Charity Shop. The Community Chest supported the upgrade of the Charity Shop run by Midlands Hospice and now the feather-in-the-cap moment arrived when the Community Chest facilitated the acquisition of a bakkie on behalf of the Midlands Hospice and its Charity Shop. Making this dream come true for Midlands Hospice was the Muslim Community of South Africa who collectively and most generously sponsored the funds for the purchase of the vehicle.

A hearty “Thank You!” goes out to the Muslim Community of South Africa from the Midlands Hospice and the Community Chest. The vehicle is the next step up towards greater financial self-reliance for the Midlands Hospice.

Donors, if you wish to partner with Community Chest to assist our partners and their beneficiaries strengthen their impact in our communities, please email Angie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact her on 072791031.

The Willowton Group empowers Community Chest to do so much more good for our community

L-R Richard Rangiah (Executive Director - Community Chest) hands over a Certificate and Token of Appreciation to Mohamed Ishfaaq Moosa (Operations Executive - Willowton Group) and Ishvar Hurbans (Marketing Manager - Willowton Group) for the generous corporate donation of R100 000 which the Chest has earmarked for Poverty Alleviation Projects. Special thanks and appreciation to Burczak Picture Framers for the sponsorship and framing of the certificate.

The Token of Appreciation, an original painting was done and generously donated by Community Chest patron and artist, Reggie Gopaul.

Willowton Oil and Cake Mills, a family owned business, was founded in 1970 by the late DH Moosa, together with his brothers Amod and Mohamed and their sons and the sons of their youngest brother Ebrahim. Some 50 years later, the Willowton Group is now South Africa’s largest sunflower seed crusher and leader in the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) sector.

It is the Willowton Group's vision is to make and provide consumer products that add value to daily living, by people who care and hold fast to an ethos of social development. Consequently, it has become the Group's mission to always innovate to remain at the forefront of the FMCG industry.

The Willowton Group is well known for its generosity toward causes that improve community wellbeing. Their generosity extends to hundreds of not-for-profit organisations across KZN and to thousands of students deserving of student bursaries.

So it is with great appreciation that the Community Chest, on behalf of some of its Community Impact Partners (CIPs) who reach out to those in our community who need a hand-up, accepted a donation of R100,000 from the Willowton Group. We value the trust placed by the Willowton Group in the Community Chest to disperse these funds and to ensure that such funds are used appropriately. "Thank you, Willowton Group!" May this partnership grow from strength to strength!

If you wish to collaborate with Community Chest in the enhancement of our communities, targeting those who are most in need, email Angie using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call on 0727910311.

Hulamin Ltd scoops Corporate Gold once again!

Noma Khanyile (Group Communications Manager - Hulamin Ltd.) is presented with the Gold Award Certificate in respect of Hulamin’s annual corporate category donation from Sma Sokhela (Community Chest)

The work of Community Chest entails galvanizing resources – both funds and donations-in-kind that fuel the efforts of our Community Impact Partners (CIPs). Our partners work at grassroots level within impoverished communities across our Municipal District. It is thanks to our CIPs that the added impact required to bring about social transformation within our District is possible.

Over the past 62 years, The Community Chest has attained numerous successes and has contributed to the enhancing and restoring of hope to tens of thousands of lives – toddlers, children, youth, adults, women and the aged. None of this is possible without the generous support received from the donors to the Community Chest.

The Community Chest is once again grateful to Hulamin Ltd. for their continued support. In the 2021/22 financial year, funds received from Hulamin Ltd. greatly assisted Community Chest to facilitate the distribution of food parcels, to support fund much needed community social services as well as offer skills training programs through four of our Community Impact Partners. Well-deserved congratulations go to Hulamin Ltd.  for scooping Community Chest’s Corporate Gold Donor Award for 2021/22.

If you wish to pledge your support and assist the Community Chest realise its community enhancing projects in the 2022/23 financial year, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call her on 033 39410312.

MSW Consulting appreciated by Community Chest

Sandra Govender (MSW Consulting) accepts a Certificate of Appreciation from Sma Sokhela (Community Chest) for their generous donation of R80 000 in the 2021/22 financial year

MSW Consulting, an engineering consultancy, established in 2006, offers a diverse range of professional services to private and public enterprises throughout the African continent.

The Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest is most appreciative of the support given to it by MSW Consulting in the 2021/22 financial year. The funds donated by MSW Consulting assisted the Community Chest honour pledges made to two of its impact partners operating in very specific social environments where piped water, electricity and the average household income are below government desired thresholds.

Thank you MSW Consulting for your role in assisting the Community Chest to reach out and make a positive difference toward enhancing our communities and restoring hope.

If you wish to collaborate with the Community Chest in community enhancing projects, please email Sma on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact her on 033 394 1031.

Shuter & Shooter Publishers drops an educational bonanza in the lap of Community Chest
Richard Rangiah (Executive Director, Community Chest) together with Primi Chetty (CEO, Shuter & Shooter Publishers)  at the handover of educational toys to Mrs S N Naicker and Miss S Naicker (Deccan Road Primary School). Deccan Road Primary together with 4 other primary schools, 37 Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres and the SOS Children’s Village received multiple sets of educational toys. In total, 5,054 children in the Grade R to 3 age range benefitted from this generous donation-in-kind.

            The boardroom of the Community Chest was literally stacked to the ceiling recently, following an educational bonanza that came its way, thanks to Shuter & Shooter Publishers.

Shuter & Shooter Publishers which specialises in publishing learning and teaching materials, made an unprecedented donation-in-kind of educational resources for the benefit of the Community Chest and some of its impact partners. The value of the donation was in excess of R398,000.00.

The Community Chest identified some primary schools, Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and children’s homes to benefit from this dream windfall. The items are best suited for children in the Grade R to 3 age range and much to the awe of the educators of the schools and managers of the ECD centres, they drove away with bakkie-loads of boxes, enough to ensure that every child in their school or centre will go home with several toys and puzzles, each. The bounty was large enough to ensure that up to 5,054 children benefitted from this donation-in-kind.

A huge “THANK YOU!” to Shuter & Shooter Publishers from the Community Chest and all the benefitting children. Not only did Shuter & Shooter Publishers give thousands of children a reason to smile; this unexpected treasure also offers these children another opportunity to discover the joy of learning and the fact that it can be fun too.

To partner with the Community Chest for the goal of enhancing our communities and restoring hope to those less fortunate than ourselves, contact Christian Dlamini on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0333941031.

Nedbank Local Hero Pravilla Barney champions Community Chest

Allison Joseph (Community Chest) hands over a Certificate of Appreciation to Pravilla Barney (HR Manager Nedbank Retail business banking) for selecting the Community Chest as her “Charity of Choice”

The Nedbank Local Hero programme encourages and honour Nedbank staff and clients who participate in voluntary work that benefits community development. A committee meets regularly to assess requests and makes donations to organisations in which staff and clients are involved.

The Community Chest is appreciative of the support and commitment of Pravilla Barney ((HR Manager, Nedbank Retail business banking) for selecting the Community Chest as her “Charity of Choice” in the Nedbank Local Hero programme (Pietermaritzburg) for 2021. The donation, received went towards meeting a pledge made by the Community Chest to a shelter that assists abused women and children.

If you wish to join Pravilla Barney and make Community Chest your “Charity of Choice”, please email Allison Joseph on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call her on 033-3941031

A marvellous day at the Races…

 Guests enjoying the Day at the Races with Community Chest, Gold Circle and Golden Horse Casino

Community Chest extends its heartfelt appreciation to Gold Circle and the Golden Horse Casino for affording it the opportunity to be a  part of their Race Day, held on Saturday 4^th June 2022, at the Hollywood Bets Scottsville Race Course. Even more special was the opportunity for some of the Community Chest’s partners from the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector to stand the chance to benefit from the Gold Circle Charity Race Sprint on the day.  

It was a day of glitz & glamour as guests dressed to the theme of “Denim & Diamonds”. By the end of the event, The 150 guests left exhausted but happy, after enjoying all the fun and games which were hosted by the Community Chest.

Guests enjoyed a delicious 3-course meal, prepared by Kaneez catering service. To help them work up an appetite, well know social personality, Mr Logie Naidoo kept them entertained and in stiches of laughter throughout the day. The impromptu dance floor was a highlight as guests couldn’t resist the foot-tapping music provided by Yash Sounds.

Best of all though was the tight finish in the Charity Race. Each of the participating ECDs had their name associated with a horse. The winning horse also scooped a handsome donation for its ECD. But not all was lost for the ECDs who did not win big on the day. Thanks to the generosity of Gold Circle and the Golden Horse Casino, they too went home feeling like winners with each walking away with a consolation donation as well. All the benefitting ECDs have pledged to use their “winnings” to provide a nutritious breakfast cereal to the children attending their learning centre. The Community Chest has taken on the responsibility of ensuring that these funds are used for its intended purpose.

It is also a resounding case of “Hats Off!” to A1 Electrical, Anthoo, Marian & Associates, ARB Electrical,  Candles & Décor, Clear Cut Glass, Capital Newspapers, Foodpak, Govenders Garage, Joeys Towing Service, Kathy Baxter, Kaneez Catering, Liberty Liquors, Muirhead’s Hiring, Matelec, Nu-Print, Parklane Superspar, Dr Purmasir, Pick n Pay, Reggie Gopaul, Sign Studio, Shopily, Stephens Valves, Sugar Lump Cakes, Venetian Blind Centre, Yash Sounds & Zylem for their generous support and participation on the day. A special word of thanks goes to Dr Keith Wimble and Mr Logie Naidoo for adding to the success of the event.

If you wish to support the work of the Community Chest, please contact 

Senior Magistrate’s farewell gesture benefits Community Chest

Allison Joseph (Community Chest) handing over a colourful painting by artist Reggie Gopaul to raffle winner Deborah Lynn Khan (Director of Debt Recoveries Dept. - Stowell & Co.). Looking on with excitement is Senior Magistrate Stephen Collins.

Senior Magistrate Stephen Collins, retired after 43 years of service with the Department of Justice. At a farewell function held at the High Court on the 27/05/2022, members of the judiciary, colleagues and staff gathered to bid him farewell.

Magistrate Stephen Collins decided to use the event as a fundraiser for Community Chest. He made available his antique African drum as a prize and Community Chest sweetened the offerings with a painting, generously sponsored by artist, Reggie Gopaul.

“Hats off!” to the wonderful friends and work colleagues of Stephen Collins for supporting his initiative with generous donations towards the raffle. Also, hearty congratulations to Viv Greene (Viv Greene Attorneys) and Deborah Lynn Khan, winners of the African drum and painting respectively.

Finally, “Happy Retirement, Stephen Collins!” We wish you only happy days ahead and a big “Thank You!” for including the Community Chest in your farewell celebrations.

If you wish to partner with Community Chest, please email Allison Joseph on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact her on 033-3941031

NCT Forestry Co-Operative Limited garners a Silver Award from the Community Chest

L- R Anita Nicholson (Public Relations and Communications Officer – NCT Forestry Co-Operative Limited) receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Sma Sokhela (Resource Mobilisation Officer – Community Chest) for the Co-Operative’s generous donation of R100 000 in the 2021/22 financial year.

The Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest was pleased to recognise NCT Forestry Co-Operative Limited with a Silver Award in the Top Corporate Donor category, for NCT’s generous donation of R100 000 in the 2021/22 financial year.

Funds from this donation were pledged to the Community Chest’s Community Impact Partner, Project Gateway and the Community Chest’s cluster of 35 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres.

Community Chest’s Executive Director, Richard Rangiah has thanked NCT Forestry for its loyal support towards the work of the Community Chest over many, many years and most especially under the difficult period of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Not only did NCT Forestry assist our communities with funds but also with a substantial donation-in-kind of vitamin supplements for those in our community in need of boosting their immune system against the Covid-19 virus or other health challenges.

For the 2022/23 financial year, the Community Chest has pledged support 75 Community Impact Partners (CIPs), including a cluster of 37 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, to a total amount of R6.25 million in funds and donations-in-kind. If you wish to partner with Community Chest in meeting this fund raising target, please contact Sma Sokhela on 072 1490 769 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Oceanic Seagull Maritime riding the waves with a "Top Donor” Silver Award

(L-R) Yashen Naidoo, Nosipho Majola, Nwabisa Magobolo, Cynthia Ndlela and Nishal Dulip (employees of Oceanic Seagull Maritime) accepting the Top Corporate Donor (Silver) Award from Community Chest for their Corporate’s donation to the Community Chest in 2021/22.

Hearty congratulations to Oceanic Seagull Maritime for scooping silver in the Top Corporate Donor (2021/22) category, from the Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest.

Oceanic Seagull Maritime is one of the largest independently owned ship agency companies in South Africa. The Community Chest is grateful to this well-established shipping agency for its loyal and generous support.

If you wish to support Community Chest to help enhance our communities and restore hope, please contact Sma Sokhela (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)  or contact her on 033-3941031

Join Community Chest in an adult diaper drive on behalf of ABH residents

Christian Dlamini (Community Chest) hands over a batch of adult diapers to Mrs K. Reddy (Social Worker – ABH)

The Aryan Benevolent Home (ABH) offers care and shelter to the aged, the frail, victims of violence or abuse, children in need as well as the mentally and physically challenged. Currently ABH (PMB) is caring for 24 seniors citizens, a number of whom depend on adult diapers to maintain their daily hygiene regime. The Community Chest has partnered with ABH to ensure that the residents in need of diapers always have a ready supply at hand. It is thus with great appreciation that Community Chest acknowledges Mr Yaseen Moosa (GAMMA Tech) and Victor West (Exigo Care) for being the first to come aboard this drive with a donation of 200 adult diapers. The Community Chest appeals to you to join the adult diaper drive on behalf of ABH. Please contact Angie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or  on 0727910311 for further details of how you can support this initiative.

ProSysCom scores 100% with Community Chest

Staff and Management of ProSysCom pledge their continued support to Community Chest

ProSysCom is one of KZN's oldest and largest, independent IT solutions providers. The company was established in 1990. ProSysCom offers clients turnkey IT solutions, that maximises productivity, reduces costs and lowers the risks associated with deploying IT technologies.

ProSysCom is in the game for the long haul and believes in developing long term relationships with its clients. On this note, the Community Chest are appreciative of the Workplace Giving Programme in place at ProSysCom.

One hundred percent (100%) of staff at ProSysCom are now donors to the Community Chest. A special “Thank You!” to the Management of ProSysCom for facilitating the Workplace Giving Programme as well as for the generous corporate donation as a way of demonstrating the adage – Lead by your example.

If you or your business wishes to participate in the Community Chest’s Workplace Giving Programme, email Sma Sokhela on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact her on 033-3941031.

Nashua Midlands joins the ranks of Red Feather Philanthropist

Angie Narayanan (Community Chest) presenting tokens of appreciation to JP (Nashua Midlands) who is the Community Chest’s newest patron of The Red Feather Legacy project. Nashua Midlands received a beautiful painting donated by artist, Delaine Cools

The Red Feather Legacy project initiated by the Community Chest is designed to provide donors an opportunity to express their support of the long-term sustainability of the Community Chest. A minimum donation of ten thousand rand enables a donor membership to an extraordinary group of philanthropists under the banner of the Red Feather Legacy (RFL) project.

All Red Feather Legacy donations are held in perpetuity by the Community Chest and only the return on investing these funds are used towards offsetting the daily operational costs of the Community Chest.

In recognition of such extraordinary philanthropy, a plaque, worded according to the donor’s preference, is mounted on the  RFL Wall of Honours, located on the façade of the Community Chest Offices, 12 Stranack Street, Pietermaritzburg. To date, there are 54 members.

The Community Chest is proud to announce that Nashua Midlands is the latest donor to join the RFL project. Nashua Midlands is a leading provider of managed document solutions and digital office automation. In today’s challenging workplace, efficiency and consistently high standards are paramount. Nashua is committed to providing businesses with the best equipment for their unique requirements to achieve these goals. Nashua is a well-established owner-managed company that has been trading for over 30 years. Nashua Midlands is a proud supporter of the Community Chest and challenges other companies and individuals to also join the ranks of RFL donors.

For more information on how you too can join the RFL project of the Community Chest, contact Angie on 0727910311 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Society of Advocates – A Top Donor for Community Chest

L-R Allison Joseph (Community Chest) presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Advocate TSI Mthembu SC, (Deputy Chairman, Society of Advocates) for the Society’s generous contribution to the Community Chest in the 2021/2022

The Society of Advocates (KZN) is a constituent member of the General Council of the Bar with objectives such as protecting the interests of the Bar in KwaZulu-Natal and of individual members of the Society, in their professional capacity. In addition to this, the Society watches over the conduct of its members and gives consideration to the promotion of improvements in the teaching and practice of the law and the administration of justice.

The PMB & District Community Chest is honoured to have the support of The Society of Advocates. For the 2021/22 financial year, The Society of Advocates is ranked amongst the Top Donors to the Community Chest. In recognition of this achievement and the generous donation made, the Society of Advocates was awarded with a Certificate of Appreciation. “Thank you, Society of Advocates, for your ongoing show of support and love towards the Community Chest in the pursuit of bettering our community at large.”

If you wish to partner with Community Chest in 2022/23 financial year, please contact Allison Joseph on 033-3941031 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

See you at the races !

L-R Angie Narayanan (Community Chest) extends her sincere thanks and appreciation to Kaneez Caterers for partnering with Community Chest as their preferred catering company, for 150 guests on the race day. Mluhisi Masikane and Siyabonga Khumalo (both staff at Kaneez Caterers) are proud employees of Goolam Fakey, owner of Kaneez Caterers

Gold Circle together with Community Chest invites you to be part of their annual Race Day to be held on Saturday 4^th June 2022 at the Scottsville Racecourse.

Enjoy a day at the races and tantalise your taste buds as you feast of a 3 course buffet meal catered by Kaneez Caterers, well-renowned in Pietermaritzburg for their mouth-watering cuisine.

Seats are limited. Cost: R250 per person. Corporate promotion: R500 sponsorship to have your banner on site.

It’s time to dust off your denims and bling those diamonds! See you races!

Contact Angie Narayanan on 0727910311 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.

Employees of NUVO Rubber Compounders support Community Chest

L-R Sma Sokhela (Community Chest) handing over a Certificate of Appreciation to Leeanne Postma (HR Manager - NUVO Rubber Compounders) in appreciation of the 24 employees of NUVO, who are workplace donors to Community Chest.

Community Chest receives financial support from employees within organisations through Workplace Giving. To date over 3000 employees from 100 companies make a monthly or weekly donation to the Community Chest.

“Thank You!” employees of NUVO Rubber Compounders for your generous donations towards helping the Community Chest enhance our communities and restore hope to those in need. Also appreciation to the management of NUVO Rubber Compounders for facilitating the payroll deductions thereby enabling employees to contribute towards changing the lives of people, for better.

If you wish to collaborate with Community Chest, please email Sma Sokhela on 0721490769 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Thank you, Victor Daitz Foundation!”

L-R Megan Caminsky (Victor Daitz Foundation) accepts Certificate of Appreciation from Angie Narayanan (PMB & District Community Chest) for the Foundation’s generous donation made in 2021/2022 financial year

“Thank you, Victor Daitz Foundation for your continued support over the many years!” This is the sentiment of the PMB & District Community Chest in acknowledging the donation made by the Victor Daitz Foundation to the Community Chest in the 2021/22 financial year.

The co-operation between the Victor Daitz Foundation and The PMB & District Community Chest, especially during the difficult period of 2020 to 2021, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensured that many destitute families received relief through food hampers. The Community Chest is grateful that it was able to ensure that this work was done through its partner not-for-profit organisations, both  efficiently and accountably.

The Community Chest hopes to enjoy the support of the Victor Daitz Foundation for many more years to come.

For further information on the work of the Community Chest or on how you too can support the community enhancing efforts of the Community Chest, email Angie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact her on 0727910311

Artists & Patrons do their bit to support the vision of the Community Chest

(L-R) Artist, Reggie Gopaul, handing over one of his art pieces, “The Cane Cutters”,  that was purchased by Ricky Dhanilal (Saivest Investments)

(L-R)  Artist, Delaine Cools is thanked by Angie Narayanan (Community Chest) for pledging to make a donation from the sales made during her exhibition, to the Community Chest

The Community Chest congratulates PMB Tourism and Creative Arts for hosting an amazing art exhibition at Botanical Gardens for the 58^th annual Art in the Park. Special thanks and appreciation goes to our Patron and talented artist Reggie Gopaul, for his commitment and support to Community Chest. A huge thank you to Ricky Dhanilal (Saivest Investments) for once again supporting the work of Community Chest in a special way. We value both Reggie and Ricky for their role in promoting community development. Last, but by no means least – It’s “Hats off!” to Delaine Cools for who also pledged to support the Community Chest with some of her proceeds made during her exhibition at the 2022 edition of Art in the Park.

Community Chest supports deserving artists at the 58th edition of Art-in-the-Park

Artist Menzi Lembetha with Community Chest Executive Director Richard Rangiah at the media launch of Art in the Park 2022. Menzi is one of the 5 deserving beneficiaries of a stipend from Community  Chest to help with travel and other expenses during the exhibition.

Artist Reggie Gopaul, a dedicated patron of the Community Chest, with some of his previous painting.

The annual Art in the Park was founded in 1962. This premier Outdoor Art Exhibition is one of the few platforms where artists can interact with and sell their works directly to the public. The event is to be held at the KZN Botanical Gardens. Art-in-the Park exposes the public to a rich tapestry of paintings, craftwork and many other artistic creations. For the past 2 years (2020 and 2021), this colourful and inspiring event was on hold due to Covid-19.

The Community Chest channels its efforts of enhancing communities through 4 “levers” that promote socio-economic development, viz. Education, Health, Income-generation/Sustainable Livelihoods and Welfare.

In associating with Art-in-the-Park 2022, the Community Chest identified with PMB Tourism’s (the event organiser) efforts to promote deserving, and in particular, historically disadvantaged artists. The Community Chest identifies with and is keen to see deserving artistic entrepreneurs use the opportunity of Art-in-the-Park to generate income for themselves as well as build their artistic profile. In the long run, it is hoped that such individuals or collectives can build momentum towards turning their talent into income-generation/sustainable livelihoods.

Alongside such emerging talent is artist Reggie Gopaul. Gopaul is a longstanding patron of the Community Chest and a prolific artist. He is a generous donor of some of his art pieces to the Community Chest which in turn are given as tokens of appreciation to other donors or used for fund-raising for the Community Chest.

“The more you give, the more you receive” is a maxim by which Gopaul lives -  for the 2022 Art-in-the-Park event, Gopaul has committed to donate half of the proceedings from his sales at the exhibition to the Community Chest. As the Community Chest we appeal to visitors to the event to support Reggie Gopaul.

For more information, email Angie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call on 0727910311. (See you at stand 29).

The Shuters-Craib Legacy honours its R2 million pledge to Community Chest

Richard Rangiah (Executive Director, Community Chest) presents Primi Chetty (CEO, Shuter & Shooter Publishers) and John Eglington (Finance Director, Shuter & Shooter) with a Certificate of Appreciation for R400,000 from Shuter & Shooter (Pty) Ltd. towards the full pledge of R2 million in the Shuters-Craib Legacy

Five years ago, education publishing giant, Shuter & Shooter Publishers (Pty) Ltd pledged a most generous donation of R2 million to the PMB & District Community Chest. The pledge was to be fulfilled in five tranches of R400,000 each, over five years. The donation was specifically towards strengthening the long-term sustainability of the Community Chest. Stuart Craib, the previous majority shareholder of Shuter & Shooter Publishers, initiated this gesture on his departure from the company. It was to be his way of showing his appreciation and thanking the community of Pietermaritzburg for the support his family and business enjoyed over the many years.

Thus, the Shuters-Craib Legacy was established into which the R2 million donation is invested. The Community Chest only draws on the interest generated from this investment, to support its operational needs.

The Shuters-Craib Legacy is a part of the Community Chest’s bigger Red Feather Legacy Project which is a unique philanthropic opportunity for members of our community to create a perpetual legacy of giving and caring for the less fortunate in our community. Donations made as a Red Feather Legacy are invested and only the return on the investment is used by the Community Chest. So far, the Shuters-Craib Legacy is the largest single contribution in the family of Red Feather legacies.

In reacting to the good news, Richard Rangiah expressed the Community Chest’s deep gratitude to Shuter & Shooter Publishers for the donation of the final tranche, which fulfils the pledge of R2 million. He noted however that the Community Chest still has a long way to go towards securing its long-term sustainability, but every new Red Feather pledge takes the Community Chest as step closer towards that goal.

Should you wish to join this special league of Red Feather Legacy donors, contact Angie 033-3941031/072 791 0311 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.

Pick n Pay (Hayfields) says "We care!"

L-R Angie Narayanan (Community Chest), Vincent Gwala & Samke Mtolo (Pick n Pay, Hayfields) and Christian Dlamini (Community Chest) give the "thumbs up" in saying "Thank you!" to all the generous shopper-donors who made a contribution through the "Feed the Nation" initiative, as facilitated by Pick n Pay

The PMB & District Community Chest "team" is instrumental in galvanizing members of our community to give of their resources – both financial and in-kind. These resources are then allocated, on an annual basis, the Chest's Community Impact Partners (CIPs). The CIPs are the real action heroes! , Daily, at ground level, they deliver services of help and welfare to those in our communities who are in need and who are longing for a word of hope.

Corporates like Pick n Pay (Hayfields) are heroes too in the eyes of the Community Chest. The on-going support from Pick n Pay (Hayfields) through the "Feed the Nation" initiative helps the Community Chest to provide its CIPs with donations-in-kind for distribution to families who are unable to put food on the table during these most difficult times. The latest statistics reveal that officially, more than 35% of the South African workforce is unemployed! This is the highest it has ever been, at least since 2008. In reality, this figure is closer to 46% of the workforce unemployed.

Community Chest thanks Pick n Pay (Hayfields) for partnering with us to help feed our nation. This, their most recent donation is worth over R1,500. It will be donated to one of our Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres to help with providing nutritious meals for the children in their care.

If you wish to make a difference in the lives of the over 2,100 deserving children which are supported by the Community Chest through its ECD Cluster support programme, please email Christian Dlamini on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Together, let's say: "WE CARE!"

Celebrating Human Rights Day – Breaking the silence on Gender Based Violence

(L to R) Angie Narayanan (Community Chest) with Vanessa Tedder (Author - “Beaten but not Broken”) celebrating Human Rights Day on Monday 21^st March 2022 at an anti-GBV (Gender Based Violence) workshop at the Aryan Benevolent Home (Durban).

Community Chest appreciates the Sibaya Community Trust for inviting the Community Chest to join them at a Human Rights Day workshop, held at the Aryan Benevolent Home (Durban). This educational, powerful and inspiring workshop was a platform for over 200 guests to break the silence and share,  with one voice, their collective stand against GBV (Gender Based Violence).

Guests were addressed by a panel of speakers namely, Dr Devi Rajab, Dr Grace Baruth (Director of Sanctuary), Cookie Edwards (Director of KZN Network on Violence against Women),  Romolo Rapiti (Attorney), Danielle Kiasha Simone (Chairman - DSK Group) and invited guests were deeply touched as the Key Note speaker, Vanessa Tedder (Author of “Beaten but not Broken”) shared her story of gender based violence and how she overcame her perpetrator.

GBV is a silent destroyer. Unless and until every one of us rises up against GBV, the women and children living with this traumatising abuse will never know peace nor enjoy their rights and dignity, as human beings.

The Community Chest salutes the Siyaba Community Trust for taking the initiative of being the main sponsor of this event and congratulations to Pamela Padayachee (1 Woman Pact) for the professional facilitation of the event.

If you wish to support the a “safe haven” (a place of shelter for abused women and children as supported by Community Chest), contact Angie Narayanan on 0727910311 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Fulton Trust continues to support the vision of the Community Chest

L-R Angie Narayanan (Community Chest) presents tokens of appreciation to Lynette Jwara – Personal Assistant - Client Accounting (PKF, Durban).

Together with a Certificate of Appreciation, a painting, by artist Reggie Gopaul, were presented to  PKF (Durban) who represent the Fulton Trust. This generous donation will strengthen the Community Chest’s drive to build its long-term sustainability through the Red Feather Legacy (RFL) Project.

Text: The Red Feather Legacy (RFL) Project affords members of our community a philanthropic opportunity to create a perpetual legacy of giving and caring for our community. Philanthropic gifts donated in the name of Red Feather Legacy will be invested – never to be touched. Only the return on the investment of such donations are used towards the operational costs of the Community Chest.

In recognition of a RFL donation, a plaque is mounted on the RFL Wall of Honours, located on the façade of the Community Chest Offices, at 12 Stranack Street, Pietermaritzburg. The Wall of Honours is updated each time a contribution is made to the RFL Project or when an existing RFL member attains a new level of honour.

The Council of the Community Chest wishes to extend its gratitude to the Fulton Trust and its administrator PKF (Durban) for the show of support to the Community Chest’s Red Feather Legacy Project.

In awarding this donation to the Community Chest, PKF (Durban) congratulated the Community Chest for its diligent efforts to enhance the quality of community life and restore hope, especially in recent times in the midst of a global Covid-19 pandemic. The donation is to help the Community Chest keep its doors open for another 62 years of service to Pietermaritzburg and District.

Reggie Gopaul is an artist extraordinaire and a passionate and loyal patron of the Community Chest. He also dedicates his artistic talent towards enhancing communities in different ways. He volunteers his time to teach youngsters to paint. He loans some of his works to decorate spaces such as public libraries. Most especially, he donates pieces from his art collection to the Community Chest to use as tokens of appreciation to their loyal and generous donors. The Community Chest appreciates Reggie Gopaul for his selfless generosity.

Would you like to add your name or the name of a loved one to the RFL Wall of Honours? Call Angie Narayanan on 033 394 1031 or 072 791 0311 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

Allison’s Saddlery still riding proud with Community Chest

L-R Gordon Shaw and his sister Moyra Watson of Allison’s Saddlery is thanked by Allison Joseph (Community Chest) for their pledge of continued support to the Community Chest

Allison’s Saddlery is a landmark business in the economy of Pietermaritzburg and surrounds. The business was established in 1902 by the Allison family. In 1991 it was taken over by the Shaw family.

This well-known establishment continues to provide a large selection of saddles, bridles, bits & everything else for horse & rider.

Despite the ups-and-downs of our economy, Allison’s Saddlery has remained a loyal supporter of the Community Chest. On a recent courtesy visit to the establishment, the young owners, Gordon and Moyra pledged to continue in their parents footsteps and support the Community Chest.

If you too wish to pledge your support to the Community Chest, contact Allison Joseph on 033-3941031 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Community Chest restoring HOPE…   

Simphiwe Nasha from Life Boat, George Padayachee from Sunlit Gardens and Ronell Dubar from Alston Primary School, all receiving sanitary packs from Christian Dlamini (M&E Officer, Community Chest)

Following on from our drive in 2021 to assist 800 female learners with a year’s supply of sanitary care and hygiene products, the Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest recently extended its ‘hand of HOPE’ to 3 more deserving organisations – Life Boat, Sunlit Gardens and Alston Primary School.

Each organisation happily accepted hygiene care packs consisting of sanitary towels, soaps and body lotions. Life Boat works with people who live on the streets. Sunlit Gardens is an orphanage and child care facility and Alston Primary is a school with many children who come from materially impoverished homes.

Our appreciation is once again to our sister organisation, Community Chest (Cape Town) and sponsor, Johnson & Johnson for this generous donation-in-kind.

To better understand the vision, mission and work of the Community Chest, please visit www.communitychest.org.za or email Angie Narayanan on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Community Chest investing in ECD Educators, children and our collective future

If you are going to invest in anything, then there is no better choice than education for our children. Children represent the future. They represent all of our hopes and dreams. An education will give them the tools by which they can make a success of their lives and leave this world a better place for the generations still to come.

Community Chest is proud to invest in 23 Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs). These ECDs are reaching out to children living in impoverished communities. The children from these impoverished communities face numerous challenges that are both personal and social. Poverty, being orphaned, HIV, physical and emotional abuse are just some of the issues these children must contend with daily.

The ECDs supported by Community Chest ensure that such children are taken care of, by providing them with a sound educational program appropriate to their age, a safe environment in which to play and a nutritious breakfast cereal as well as a cooked meal.

In 2021, the Community Chest invested in the caregivers of the toddler age group with training and the provision of toy boxes that promote learning through play. Now the focus is on basic health and safety measures. This is most appropriate now that we are moving back into a situation there is greater freedom of movement and social gatherings, after Covid-19 restrictions. The training will be conducted with the educators and caregivers through 3 x 1-day long workshops.

Armeane M. Choksi of the World Bank spells out the implications of not investing in our children in saying “Children whose earliest years are blighted by hunger or disease or whose minds are not stimulated by appropriate interaction with adults and their environment pay for these early deficits throughout their lives - and so does society. Such children are far more likely than their more fortunate peers to do poorly in school, to drop out early, to be functionally illiterate, and to be only marginally employable in today's increasingly high-technology world. Collectively, these children who have been deprived in early life therefore affect labour productivity and national economic prosperity.”

Join Community Chest in investing in our children and in our collective future. Email Richard Rangiah using  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact him on 0825711770 to learn more about our ECD support activities and how you can invest in our children too.

Community Chest is proud to associate with the 58^th edition of “Art in the Park”

Richard Rangiah (Executive Director – Community Chest) was pleasantly surprised to encounter up and coming artist Menzi Lembetha at the recent launch of the 58^th edition of “Art in the Park”. Lembetha was a past student of the “Ubumba for Life” Project at Tembaletu Trust which was under the directorship of Mr Rangiah.

The annual Art in the Park was founded in 1962. This Premier Outdoor Art Exhibition is one of the few platforms where art exhibitors interact and sell their works directly to the public at KZN Botanical Gardens. The public is exposed to a rich tapestry of paintings, beadwork and many other artistic creations. For the past 2 years (2020 and 2021), this colourful and inspiring event was on hold.

However, 2022 is off to a colourful start as the Community Chest commits to a show of support to PMB Tourism and its primary sponsor, Creative Arts Studio. The 58^th edition of this colourful event will take place from 28^th April to 2^nd May 2022 at the KZN Botanical Gardens. With the growing focus on promoting emerging artists, the Community Chest will support a select number of emerging artists with “bursaries” to finance the costs of attending the 5-day event.

Through this collaboration the Community Chest is keen to see artistic entrepreneurs using this opportunity to generate some income for themselves and build their artistic profile. The Community Chest is also going to be hosting a stand at the event to raise support and funds for supporting more emerging artists in the future.

Seeing is believing – the importance of M&E in the NPO Sector

Christian Dlamini (M&E Officer – PMB Community Chest) gives the “thumbs-up” to Ashdown Zinhle Crèche after he completed a surprise site visit. Supervisor for the ECD (Early Childhood Development) Centre, Mrs Joyce Mkhize was pleased to have this surprise visit from Community Chest.

M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) are two important management tools used in the NPO (Not-for-Profit) Sector. M&E is used to track progress and evaluate the results achieved by the NPO through using donor resources (funds and donations-in-kind).

M&E is a critical service that the Community Chest offers to both donors and benefitting partner NPOs. On the one hand, a good M&E Report tells the donor that the donation made is being used as promised. On the other hand, a good M&E Report tells the NPO that they are honouring all the promises made to Community Chest and the donors who support their project/organisation and this will hold them in good stead for future requests for support from the Community Chest.

For the Community Chest, the M&E process begins with the application by an NPO for support. First a “desk-top” assessment of the NPO is done which is based on documents submitted. For example, is the NPO registered with the Dept. of Social Development? Does the NPO have a valid bank account? Does the NPO audit its finances? Does it have a functioning Board of Directors? These are just some of the questions asked and verified when a site visit is undertaken.

Once an NPO is approved to receive support from the Community Chest, a Grant Agreement is put in place and any funds or donations-in-kind awarded is processed on a quarterly basis. This helps with the M&E too. For example, an NPO distributing food parcels must first report on the food parcels distributed in the previous quarter in order to receive then next batch for the following quarter. The Community Chest M&E Officer will verify the report by contacting/visiting a randomly sampled number of beneficiaries to ensure that they did benefit from the food parcel distribution. Should the M&E Officer find any irregularities, the processing of the next quarter’s food parcels are suspended until the irregularities are resolved. If not, the Grant Agreement is terminated and another NPO is identified to continue the balance of the project.

Finally, the approach taken by the Community Chest to its M&E work is also developmental in nature. It’s not uncommon for an NPO to have a valid cause to address in our community. It is also not uncommon for this NPO to have only the best intentions in trying to address the problem faced in their local context, for example, drug and substance abuse. However, to receive and use donor funds for such a project requires more than just good intentions. There are sound, ethical, transparent steps to be followed without which the NPO is at risk of misusing the funds and running afoul of the law. In its development approach to working with its partners, the Community Chest strives to raise the awareness and skills base of its partners to operate in ethical and legitimate ways only. The NPOs truly dedicated to serving the community are quick to appreciate the need to operate in a manner that is above question or reproach and win the admiration of the Community Chest and the wider donor community too.

Surprise visits to our partner NPOs are also a part of our M&E function. When you walk in the light, nothing is hidden! Such was the positive report from the Community Chest’s M&E Officer about Ashdown Zinhle Crèche. He was happy that the Crèche is functioning properly, children are receiving sound education, the meal menu per day for the children is applied correctly and all other processes regarding the M&E requirements were evident.

Well done Ashdown Zinhle Crèche!

For more on how the M&E services of the Community Chest can benefit you as a donor or a benefitting NPO, please email Christian Dlamini on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Employees & Management at Somta Tools up their support for Community Chest

(L-R) Employees of Somta Tools (Pty) Ltd,  Andile Bungane, Feroz Subreathee and Vumile Ninele are proud to show their support for Community Chest

On behalf of every disadvantaged child and adult supported by Community Chest, thank you to every contributing employee of Somta Tools (Pty) Ltd for the generous support received over the many years. We value your love for, interest in and support given to the work of the Community Chest. Despite the challenges you faced over the last few years, you have continued to faithfully make your monthly pledges to our work and for that we salute you. Now you have gone the extra mile with more of you adding your pledges of support and other upping the monthly amount pledged.

Not to be left out of the joy of helping Community Chest enhance our community and restore hope, Somta Tools (Pty) Ltd.  makes a monthly corporate donation that matches every cent make by its employees!

Thank you management team at Somta for recently affording the Community Chest the opportunity to visit your workplace and address your employees for a Workplace Giving presentation.

If you wish for your company’s employees to become supporters of the Community Chest’s Workplace Giving programme, please contact Sma Sokhela on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 033 3941031.

Community Chest also supports its Community Impact Partners (CIPs) with Donations-in-Kind

L-R Lucinda Gamuchirai Mutuwa (Student Intern at Community Chest) handed over 300 bars of hygiene soap to Nicholas Nene (Thandanani Children's Foundation)

Thanks to the generous donation from our sister organisation, the Community Chest (Western Cape) together with pharmaceutical company, Johnson & Johnson, the PMB & District Community made a clean start to the New Year of 2022, by distributing soap to some of its Community Impact Partners (CIPs) for the benefit of those whom they serve in our community.

Other CIPs who also benefitted from this donation of soap are Abrina Esther House, Dlalanathi, Ekhaya Lethemba (PMB Child & Famil Welfare), Emuseni Centre (for the aged), Ethembeni HIV & Aids Ministry, Greytown Childrens Home, Howick Hospice, Isabel Beardmore Home, Jabulani Crèche, Msunduzi Hospice, Msuduzi Hospice, Mama Ntombi Community Projects, New Zion Church, Open Gate Special School, Pietermaritzburg Children Home, Red Cross Society, Thandanani Children's Foundation, The Benjamin Generation (orphanage), SAVF Old Age Home, SOS Children’s Village, SAVF Kalinka Educare and Alston Primary School. Thanks to other generous donors, some of our CIPs also received feminine hygiene products, clothing, food hampers, vitamin supplements and shoes.  

It's almost 2 years since we first encountered the Covid-19 pandemic and its deathly impact on our lives, homes, work and community. Some of the good work done by the Community Chest over many years was sadly eroded within a short time of 2 years. But, we continue to rise, no matter how many times we may fall! The Community Chest is looking forward to 2022 as the year in which we pick up the pieces and set about to once again “enhance communities – restore hope”.

The Thandanani Children’s Foundation facilitates community based care and support for orphans and other vulnerable children in Kwa-Zulu Natal. They have a well-established system of community based care and support for orphans and their families that involves responding to the basic material, physical, cognitive and emotional needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). For the 2021/22 financial year, Community Chest has pledged to financially assist Thandanani Children’s Foundation with an amount of R75 000.00 over and above any further support through Donations-in-Kind. A big “Thank You” to those donors who are helping the Community Chest honour this pledge to Thandanani Children’s Foundation.

If you wish to partner with Community Chest in supporting this and similar projects, contact Angie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0727910311. 

dlalanathi’s #care4kids campaign is starting to make waves in communities across Willowfontein

The Community Chest is proud to work with its diverse Community Impact Partners (CIPs). One such partner is dlalanathi. Among the many projects undertaken by dlalanathi is their “Working in Communities” Project. This Project aims to help children understand and apply their Childrens’ Rights and that families and communities strive to uphold the rights of children and protect them.

dlalanathi works directly in communities, allowing for the transfer of skills to community members and caregivers. Their presence in the community is essential for connection and determining needs, as well as designing and testing new programmes before training others to use them.

dlalanathi position’s all of its work within a community development model, to increase the community’s capacity to respond to the psychosocial support needs of children and families affected by trauma, poverty and loss. Their approach involves intensive work in a specific geographical area for a 3-4 year period. The time frame is determined by the unique needs of each community and the time that it takes for individuals and groups to take up the needs of children, youth and families, as well as increase competencies to ensure independence and sustainability. dlalanathi’s vision is to ensure increased “Play with children” at all levels in the community. Play is vital in all aspects of child development. It is not just for leisure and recreation. It is also a key way in which children form attachments with caregivers and others, a way to learn, develop and communicate.

The Community Chest pledged R60 000 to dlalanathi in the 2021/22 financial year, with the final tranche paid in January 2022. Thank you to the Community Chest donors who helped us make this pledge a reality. Our Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) exercise has reported favourably on the work of dlalanathi and on the impact the project is making in the community.

If you wish to partner with Community Chest in supporting this and similar projects, contact Angie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0727910311. 

Community Chest in action in Ladysmith with Red Cross

Community Chest made a donation of clothes, shoes, bedding and food items to victims of the recent floods in Ladysmith. Christian Dlamini (Monitoring & Evaluation officer – Community Chest) helped Thembakazi Basi (Branch Development Officer – Red Cross) pack all the donations-in-kind before the Red Cross team set off for Ladysmith.

Special thanks to all Community Chest donors whose generosity made this relief effort possible. Thanks to you, the Community Chest can continue to enhance communities and restore hope. 

The Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest is grateful to Liberty Midlands Mall for selecting the Community Chest as their Charity of Choice to benefit from their Create Pop-Up Shop and Gift Wrapping Initiative, as hosted by the Mall in 2021.

The Create / Pop Up Store was offered to Community Chest at no charge from August – December. The store was specifically used to facilitate and encourage our community to drop off Donations-in-Kind. AS a result we were able to collect as sizable quantity of  items, such as food, clothes and toys. The Community Chest also had a Donation Box in the Create Store which allowed customers of the Liberty Midlands Mall to make their generous donations. We are pleased to inform our community that all the items donated were distributed by Mama Ntombi Community Projects (MNCP), who are working in the heart of the Ezinketheni informal settlement. MNCP helps and cares for orphans and neglected children by providing life skills, education, health and nutrition.

The Liberty Midlands Mall also afforded the Community Chest the opportunity to once again operate a Gift Wrapping Station as part of the Mall’s Festive Grotto during the Christmas Season from 14 to 24 December 2021.  As always, it was an amazing and fun project for our team of volunteers to get their helpful hands busy. The colourful theme and props attracted many customers and the support to Community Chest was once again tremendous. Some shoppers just came through to make a donation. Others were keen to know more about the work of the Community Chest and committed to get involved in 2022.

The Community Chest was also blessed to have the Liberty Midlands Mall’s Pick n Pay store partner with Community Chest and support our volunteers. Each day, Pick n Pay supplied a light lunch to our volunteers, at no cost.

Perhaps the most valuable benefit from this opportunity came in the form of the wide marketing Community Chest received through this initiative. Knowledge of the work of the Community Chest spread far and wide given the diverse demographics of shoppers visiting the Liberty Midlands Mall.

The funds raised from the donations given at the Create Store and Gift Wrapping Station helped the Community Chest honour its pledge to Project Gateway’s “Community CARE Project” which offers food parcels; psycho-social & welfare services to indigent families.

DO you wish to assist and/or support the work of the Community Chest? Email Angie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Richard at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 033 394 1031.