Despite the havoc wreaked on the economy by the closure of the tourism industry, a strong spirit of community emerged in the wildlife conservation communities within Grahamstown to bring hope to families devastated by the impact of the lockdown.

Helen Mamabolo established a foundation during lockdown to assist children from disadvantaged families affected by the pandemic.

An unemployed street entertainer in Ekurhuleni says he wants to do his bit to give the city’s street children the chance of a better life away from drugs and crime.

It was a thrilling weekend for the hospital’s ENT team after they were asked to help with the gorilla’s medical examination.

Paper, pen, ink and paints – they are all part of this teenage artist’s language of care and compassion.

As the country continues to battle through the pandemic, Volkswagen SA has played a significant corporate role in trying to assist sectors where help is most needed, including the underprivileged communities and schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.

While other musicians are busy making a noise about government’s lockdown relief grant for artists, a Limpopo musician found business in fresh fish.

Vulnerable newborns with struggling mothers in the middle of the pandemic receive clothes, blankets and napkins from caring women.

Many fundraising events in the UK have been postponed or cancelled due to the recent pandemic.

In these difficult times, it is heartwarming to see groups of people who are going out of their way to make a difference in the lives of people unable to help themselves.

In the face of the potential pandemic, The Gift of the Givers are issuing a call to action to all South African citizens.

This beloved children’s home needs funding in order to stay open.

Jamie Mitchell from Mitchell Designs – in collaboration with Helping Hands, Enabling the Future and Deloitte UK – made nine-year-old Aphelele Gumede’s dream come true.

It’s the second consecutive year that the company has done this.

Remember Cody the pony and how we all fell in love with him after the Knysna fires last year?

Taste your way through wines of the world and make a difference to orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa.

Hout Bay residents discover what a difference a computer course can make.

The event is called The Great Optimist Race and will take place in just over a week.

Over 14 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer every year.

October is National Transport month in South Africa.

PSG Wealth is giving back to their local communities in Gauteng by creating a better environment for underprivileged primary school children.

NiQi During, now 28, was diagnosed with the genetic illness when she was six months old.

The recent Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), which surveyed over 320 000 respondents, concluded that South Africa’s reading score has remained unimproved since 2011 and was ranked last out of 50 countries globally.

This iconic run is the ideal opportunity to get fit while experiencing some of London’s amazing sites and it’s also a chance to raise valuable funds for Starfish Greathearts Foundation.

Get fit and give back – it’s a win-win.

The City of Cape Town is assisting seven organisations that will be taking part in the winter readiness campaign.

The nationwide initiative, now in its seventh year, encourages primary schools to support young
children in South Africa by donating unwanted English language and reading books.

Ian Macdonald was killed in a car accident in February this year, so his friends got together to continue his philanthropic legacy.

Every year cyclists take part in Prudential Ride London, which will be held on Sunday 29th July of this year. They will cycle on closed roads through the capital and into the stunning Surrey Countryside.

Remember at the beginning of the year we reported on a man who wanted to climb Table Mountain every day for 365 days in order to raise money for various charities?

Kerryn Neilson Botes was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia. The drugs she needs to fight the disease are not available in South Africa.

Andrew Patterson, originally from Johannesburg, is using BackaBuddy to help raise money for charity.

Backed by Mastercard, Gift of the Givers is now able to help many more people over December.

Starfish Foundation wishes to thank everyone who participated in the annual Starfish Wine Tasting event that was held in November.

With 1,9 million children in South Africa still living without parents, this Christmas is a chance to brighten the lives of South Africa’s children.

Sivashnie Perumal is looking forward to the day she can give back to the community that shaped her.

Oscar Moshokoa, unemployed and with no means to study after school, received a phone call that would change his life’s trajectory.

The 2017 Big Give Christmas Challenge kicks off on November 28th #GivingTuesday – a day that is all about remembering what and how we can give to improve the lives of others.

It’s amazing what can be achieved through the kindness of strangers. We look back on some of the most memorable causes. 

It took seven years, but Merebank’s Tevin Richard has begun to live his dreams, and he wants to use his talents to help South Africa.

Remember Darryn August, the hero who saved two women from a robbery and was thrown from a train in April last year?

Khayelitsha schools will see the arrival of more than 300 volunteers this week.

South African mom breastfeeds her friend’s baby and proves that it really does take a village to raise a child.

Afrika Tikkun recently launched an exciting new campaign called Adventure Fundraisers, where the aim is to make charity more fun, rewarding and accessible for individuals and groups.

This achievement proves that there is beauty to be found if you’re just willing to look.

In South Africa, younger art buyers are growing into their collections, and are buying different types of art in many different media.

Dedani Mabhunu Mkhize stopped his own farm operations to collect vegetables so that he could support families in need after the Durban floods.

Sibusiso Matrick Mbhele has been reunited with the woman he saved during the Durban storm last week, and his humility is winning hearts all over again.

Siphosethu Sota, a teenager from Cradock in the Eastern Cape, is the latest graduate of the Shell Scholarship Programme, which is aimed at uplifting academically gifted high school learners from disadvantaged communities across the country.

Project Flamingo and The Massage Truck have joined forces for the month of October to assist Cape Town women with breast cancer.

Earlier this year, we heard the story of Chuma Somdaka. We catch up with her story to see what’s happened in the last few months.

Nonthando Ntsendwana underwent a life-changing transformation that has restored her self-confidence.

Thabitha Malinga was enabled in her business venture through a partnership between Shell Livewire and Raizcorp which aims to grow and develop South African entrepreneurs.

Flaxman Qoopane brings his love of the narrative to South Africa after living in exile.

A business idea is helping street artists gain exposure and increase sales, and it’s changing lives.

Zwelisha Kids Club, a cycling club near White River, was started to help underprivileged children with a physical outlet that will hopefully keep them from experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

Dr. Karin Lourens is using her knowledge and expertise to nurse the often-overlooked city wildlife in Johannesburg.

Dr. Lane Benjamin has always dreamed of making the world a better place, and so she’s started in her ‘back yard’.

The women travelled to ten countries and met with 37 organisations to see what is being done about the depleting elephant numbers in Africa.

Let’s celebrate Heritage Day together!

This is where we need to show our South African spirit.

Join the 100-strong Starfish team in London in October.

“I believe in service beyond self.”

Three incredible women who are shaping South Africa through their dedication and passion.

Spencer Kitson saw a man standing on the edge of a bridge in Douglasdale, Johannesburg and stopped to make sure he was alright.

David Masilela shows that hard work and determination are a powerful combination.

67 buskers are due to play for 67 minutes to honour Madiba this Mandela Day.

South African literacy organisation, help2read, and Seattle Coffee Company have released five limited
edition coffee sleeves, each featuring the artwork of primary school learners enrolled in a reading programme from schools around the Western Cape and Gauteng.

SA’s bees are dying, but Portia Morudi has a plan to save them.

Fire House is a story about South Africa’s unsung heroes.

The Nijmegen March begins on the last Tuesday in July.

Eliot Chisango didn’t come to South Africa to improve his own life, but he came to improve the lives of others.

A talented group of homeless people has found their calling in performing Shakespeare.

Impress your friends with your moves and raise vital funds for orphaned children.

South African expat, Lorenzo Rodrigues, drowned after saving the lives of others.

South African cyclist, 10-year old Zach Rauch Legward will ride the Momentum Knysna Cycle Tour 50km event this year.

The ultimate goal for Signature of Hope Trust and for many other NGOs is to move away from the annual fundraising treadmill and towards sustainable income.

In March last year, we covered the story of Buhle Sithela who raised funds for his tuition by cleaning bins in his community. His ultimate goal was to be able to provide a cinema for residents of Khayelitsha. We caught up with his story since then.

Cycle for Smiles: A world-class festival of cycling.

ArtAngels Africa’s expectations are high for the inaugural London event, taking place on 11 May.

28 strangers came to the rescue of a man next door to the building site they were working on, despite the attacker being armed.

We follow up with the Umlazi student who made it to Harvard and hear about his plans for South Africa.

Youth Potential South Africa (Youpsa) has been founded by a passionate pair to assist students in the Eastern Cape.

Through crowdfund website, IndieGoGo, a skatepark will be built that will be used by the children of Hout Bay.

An employer in PE has honoured his housekeeper for her 30 years of service to his family by buying her a home.

SA performers from Stimela ‘The Gumboot Musical’ gave New Zealander airport-goers an unexpected treat.

The Starfish Spinning Marathon was a great success and raised £5,060 for children in South Africa.

Last year, Greg Bertish set the wheels in motion for the mammoth Let’s Paint Red Cross Hospital endeavour, which started in January 2017.

Litter collected at the 5fm Beach Cleanups is being put into 2l bottles which are turned into bricks used to build structures.

Buying a gift for someone when you’re travelling is most often not as much about the item, as it is about the story behind it.

Khululekani Nyobole has turned his back on his life as a gangster and has started producing affordable eco-friendly products to market in townships.

The story of the ‘red bakkie guy’ has South Africans celebrating the small acts of kindness that can change a person’s day, people’s perceptions, and potentially a nation.

The fire that raged around Vredehoek earlier this week, prompted Angela McKay to start a BackaBuddy page to thank the firefighters who so fearlessly protect our country’s citizens.

Rhino Tears wines has raised R1 million since the launch of a drive in 2014 to raise funds to be used in the war against rhino poaching in South Africa.

When a lady’s phone was snatched from her hands, Eustance Maluleke happened to be at the right place at the right time and acted instantly to help a stranger in need.

Caylum Willemse was born with Esophageal atresia, Tracheoesophageal fistula, Tracheomalacia and Bronchomalacia and needs help to get to Boston to see a specialist.

Josh decided to help the homeless by giving them free haircuts, and the changes are phenomenal.

The torrential rain in Durban this past week almost claimed its fifth victim.

Running parallel with all the bad news that is making headlines, stories of good news are coming to the fore, too.

‘I Have a Name’ has showcased the stories of a handful of people and some of those people’s lives have been changed forever.