For many young people, completing matric is followed by uncertainty about what comes next. For others, unemployment can stretch for years, with limited resources and little guidance on how to enter the workplace.

It was these realities that prompted the Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa (MYMSA) to establish Project HOPE in 2018, an initiative that helps provide practical skills to matriculants, unemployed people and those looking to start their own businesses.

The latest three-day skills training workshop took place at the Phoenix Care Foundation in Phoenix from August 24 to 26.

According to Project HOPE coordinator, Rashid Chopdat, the initiative was established after participants at a Youth Leadership Identity Camp were asked how they spent their time after leaving school. “The responses highlighted the harsh realities faced by many young people,” said Chopdat, noting that some had been unemployed for more than two years, while others lacked basic resources such as well-prepared CVs, internet access or money to attend job interviews.

The programme covered a range of topics, including CV writing and interview preparation, personal finance, business plan development, volunteering, workplace experience, artificial intelligence and motivation.

Khairoon Ghumran of Professionally Yours, an HR expert, facilitated the session on CV writing and interview preparation, while Shabnum Bux of Old Mutual addressed financial skills and responsible financial management.

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Professional Business Advisor Ahmed Seedat facilitated business plan development, while internationally accredited life coach Zaf Nasri led a motivational session.

Participants also heard from Annisa Essack, a radio presenter and producer at Radio Islam International, during a Zoom session on the importance of volunteering, while Sameer from Siyafunda spoke about AI for business.

Chopdat said that Project HOPE continues to update its short skills programmes to respond to changing needs and emerging opportunities, including the introduction of AI into some of its modules.

Chopdat said the programme aims to help participants secure employment or create their own income-generating opportunities.

He recalled two participants from a previous programme who baked goods to earn an income. After attending the seminar, they reviewed their vision and marketing plan and returned the next day with a finished product ready for the open market.

For 21-year-oldFalayha Shazaadeh Adam, who matriculated in 2024 and is currently unemployed, the workshop was an opportunity to gain skills for employment while learning more about starting a business. “I registered to attend the Muslim Youth Movement workshop – Project Hope because I wanted to empower myself and gain some rigid skills for employment,” she said.

Adam said she gained more from the workshop than she initially expected: “I did not expect to gain as many skills. Alhamdulillah, I gained far more skills that I could use for employment, such as smart CV writing and the etiquette for performing well during interviews.”

She said that the sessions on finances and AI were also valuable, particularly in learning how AI could assist with budgeting and saving.

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The workshop also helped Adam gain clarity about her future. She said that creating a vision-board helped her put her goals in order. “I definitely feel confident about pursuing teaching and studying via UNISA,” she added. She plans to put her training to good use and eventually start her own small business.

Another participant, Raadhiyah Mohamed, is an entrepreneur and founder of Durban-based micro-bakery Cardamom Club. She said the sessions on financial planning and starting a business stood out to her.

“The programme gave me practical skills that I can apply in both my career and my business,” she said.

The volunteering session also changed the way Mohamed viewed gaining experience: “I realised that volunteering isn’t only about helping others, but can also help you gain valuable experience, develop skills and create opportunities for your own future.”

For Mohamed, the message to others who are unemployed or uncertain about their next step is to not be afraid to start somewhere. “Keep learning, gain experience where you can, volunteer, develop your skills and do not underestimate what you are capable of,” she said. 

The latest programme concluded with online and verbal evaluations, allowing participants to reflect on what they had learnt. Participants can also request a certificate and have their CVs or business plans reviewed by the relevant facilitators.

The post MYMSA helps tackle unemployment in SA appeared first on Al-Qalam.

National Wills Week takes place across South Africa from 14 to 18 September, providing an important reminder to consider one of the most important, yet often overlooked, aspects of financial planning – having a valid and up-to-date Will.

A Will is far more than a legal document. It is an essential part of responsible financial planning and a meaningful expression of care for the people that matter to you. It provides clarity about your wishes, helps protect those you leave behind and ensures that the assets you have built over a lifetime are dealt with as you intended.

Much of financial planning naturally focuses on life today and the years ahead, saving, investing, buying a home, growing wealth and providing for our families. Yet a truly comprehensive financial plan should also consider what happens to those assets when we are no longer here.

National Wills Week is therefore an opportunity to do more than simply prepare or review your Will. It is an invitation to reflect on your broader financial affairs; consider the legacy you want to leave behind and put the right plans in place today to protect tomorrow.

Why is a Will so important?

A properly prepared Will provides clarity about how your estate should be distributed and helps ensure that your wishes are understood and respected. Without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act of South Africa, rather than according to your own wishes.

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For Muslims, an Islamic Will helps ensure that an estate is administered and distributed in accordance with the principles of Shariah, allowing Islamic inheritance requirements to be considered alongside the applicable laws of South Africa. Without an Islamic Will, the distribution of an estate under South African intestate succession laws may result in outcomes that do not align with Islamic laws of inheritance.

Having an Islamic Will in place therefore brings together two important responsibilities: putting your financial affairs in order and ensuring that the legacy you leave behind is managed in a manner that accords with your faith. 

Protecting your family and your legacy

The absence of a clear Will can create uncertainty at an already difficult time for a family. Questions around the distribution of assets, the administration of an estate and the wishes of the deceased can potentially lead to delays and disagreements.

A valid Will provides greater certainty and clarity. It also allows you to nominate an executor whom you trust to administer your estate, providing reassurance that your affairs will be handled appropriately.

In this regard, it is reported that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “It is not advisable for any Muslim who has something to will to stay for two nights without having his last will and testament written and kept ready with him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Importantly, a Will should not simply be prepared and then forgotten. Significant changes in your personal circumstances, such as marriage, divorce or the death of your nominated executor, may mean that an existing Will no longer adequately reflects your circumstances.

National Wills Week is therefore a useful annual reminder to ask: Is my Will up to date?

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An opportunity to review your financial preparedness

Preparing for the future extends beyond having a Will. Understanding your assets and liabilities, keeping important financial information organised and ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place can make the administration of an estate considerably easier for those left behind.

Use National Wills Week as an opportunity to review your financial position, ensure that important documents are accessible, consider whether your existing arrangements still meet your family’s needs, and update your Will where necessary.

Taking these steps today can provide greater certainty for tomorrow

As South Africa’s pioneer of Islamic banking, Al Baraka Bank understands the importance of protecting your family’s future in a manner that is consistent with Shariah principles. In support of National Wills Week 2026, the Bank continues to encourage members of the community to take this important step towards responsible financial and estate planning.  The Albaraka Islamic Will can be downloaded directly from the Bank’s website, or a free copy can be obtained from any Bank branch.

Preparing a valid Islamic Will is one of the most meaningful acts of financial responsibility you can undertake. It helps protect your family, preserve your legacy and ensure that your estate is dealt with in accordance with Islamic laws of inheritance.

This National Wills Week, don’t simply think about your Will. Use it as a reminder to prepare your finances, review your affairs and plan responsibly for those who matter most.

The post National Wills week 2026: Reminder to update your will appeared first on Al-Qalam.

Cape Town could run out of Muslim burial space within a year, Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) president Shaykh Riad Fataar has warned.

Fataar said the shortage extended across both private Muslim cemeteries and Muslim sections in municipal cemeteries. The burden fell hardest on poorer families, who increasingly have to travel long distances to bury their loved ones as affordable graves closer to their communities become harder to find.

Fataar, who chaired the MJC’s Burial Administration from 2007, said the crisis had been anticipated for more than two decades.

A Metropolitan Cemetery Study undertaken by the City of Cape Town in 2003 identified mounting pressure on burial space across the metro. In the years that followed, the City made space available for Muslim burials at Klip Road and within several municipal cemeteries, including Delft, Welmoed, Maitland, Modderdam Road and Khayelitsha. Klip Road North was developed with space for approximately 3,600 Muslim graves.

Those allocations delayed the crisis. They did not resolve it.

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In 2021, the City said its cemeteries were accommodating approximately 150 Muslim burials a month. With COVID-19 having increased demand and the Muslim allotment at Klip Road exhausted, the City created a Muslim burial block at Maitland with capacity for a further 837 graves.

By August 2025, the Muslim allotments at Delft and Muizenberg had also reached capacity, while Constantia had closed to new burials. Families could apply to reopen existing graves at Klip Road, Delft and Muizenberg. The City was considering the same option at Constantia. Space for new graves remained available at several other municipal cemeteries, including Maitland, Welmoed, Rusthof, Modderdam and Ocean View.

According to Fataar, an MJC fatwa allows an existing grave to be reopened after 15 years, subject to strict conditions. The remains of the person already buried there must be protected and the required separation maintained. The family must agree to the reopening, while the City must confirm that the grave can accommodate another burial.

Reopening older graves has extended the life of existing cemeteries. However, it has not replaced the need for new land.

“Not all families want to reopen a grave,” Fataar added.

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The MJC has also explored land offered by the private sector. Fataar said some sites proved unsuitable because of the high-water table, while others could not proceed without costly environmental studies that community organisations could not afford.

According to Fataar, the City last provided land for a dedicated Muslim cemetery about a century ago. Since then, it has made burial space available only through Muslim sections in general municipal cemeteries.

Under the Constitution, responsibility for cemeteries rests with local government. In carrying out that responsibility, the Municipal Systems Act requires municipal services to be accessible and sustainable, and regularly reviewed for expansion or improvement. Cape Town’s Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Undertakers By-law allow the City to reserve sections for specific faith communities and require religious burial practices to be considered. It does not, however, require the City to provide a stand-alone Muslim cemetery.

The City’s 2026/27 budget allocates R73.1 million to cemetery upgrades across Cape Town. It is also seeking approval for new or expanded cemeteries in Strand, Kuils River, Mitchells Plain and parts of the southern suburbs. It has not said how much of the proposed new capacity would be set aside for Muslim burials or when it would become available.

Fataar said further municipal sections might provide short-term relief, but would not settle the larger question.

“What we are looking for is something permanent,” he added.

The City’s earlier interventions bought the community time. Fataar’s warning is that time is now running out.

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The Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa (MYMSA) hosted its annual Women’s Day programme on Saturday, August 8, bringing together 102 women and girls at the AM Moola Memorial Hall in Sydenham.

Held under the theme “Women Light Up the Sky”, the programme featured discussions on women’s health, financial wellbeing and women’s history, as well as health screenings, self-defence and performances.

For MYMSA, the programme was also about connecting the present with the legacy of the women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956.

Arun Naicker, a member of the MYMSA task team organising events, told Al-Qalam that the organisation aimed to keep the legacy of 1956 alive throughout the year, rather than limiting its significance to Women’s Month.

The programme was open to women’s groups and MYMSA’s Ambassadors for Change, with the day designed as an opportunity for women to network, exchange ideas, relax and learn new skills.

“The theme reflected the resilience of women and the many ways in which they continue to bring positivity to those around them, even during difficult circumstances and times of extreme challenge,” said Naicker.

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The programme gave women from different walks of life an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and develop new skills.

The programme combined discussions on women’s health, financial wellbeing, personal safety and the history of Women’s Day with more creative and social activities.

Medical Orthotist Prosthetist Tasneem Mohamed spoke about breast cancer and rehabilitation, drawing on her experience in post-mastectomy care and breast prosthetics. The Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA) also provided basic wellness screenings, including blood pressure and blood glucose checks.

Personal safety was also addressed through a self-defence session led by Coach Mahomed Ameen Yunnoos of Slimz187 Dojo, who demonstrated practical techniques aimed at improving awareness, confidence and preparedness.

The programme also featured motivational speaker and Radio Al Ansaar presenter Kelly Ramazani, who spoke about how women can make a positive impact in their families, communities and wider society. Financial advisor Shubnam Bux addressed financial well being, while MYMSA Ambassador Ayesha Mahomed reflected on the history of Women’s Day and why its significance remains relevant today.

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The young Ambassadors, who graduated from MYMSA’s Ambassadors for Change workshop, played an active role in organising and running the event. They coordinated various parts of the programme, introduced speakers, served as programme directors, performed poetry and roleplays, helped set up the venue and served the meal. They also created a Palestine awareness display wall.

The young women involved included Ambassadors from Al Falaah College, Orient Islamic School and Ihsan Girls, while Crescent Girls High School was also represented.

For Hasina Lockhat, an Ambassador who volunteered at the event and delivered the welcome speech, the programme provided an important opportunity for women to celebrate their individuality and strengths.

The post MYMSA celebrates women, keeps 1956 legacy alive appeared first on Al-Qalam.

When does condemnation of Israel – a state accused of genocide and apartheid – remain protected political speech, and when does it become hatred of Jewish people?

That question lies at the centre of an Equality Court case in Cape Town involving Nabeweya Lukie, an employee of the Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa.

Lukie received an Equality Court summons on 26 May 2026 arising from Facebook posts published between 2023 and 2025. The Cape South African Jewish Board of Deputies alleges that her statements concerning Jews, Zionists and Israel constitute unlawful hate speech.

Although Lukie works for the MJC, the proceedings relate to statements published on her personal Facebook account. The organisation is not a respondent in the case.

The Cape SAJBD cites an August 2024 post in which Lukie condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and referred to “these merciless killers, the Jewish Zionists”.

The Board alleges that her posts portrayed Jews or Zionists as evil, murderous and possessing a “cold-hearted, demonic nature”. It seeks removal of the posts, an unconditional apology, a R100 000 donation to the Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre, and punitive costs.

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Lukie’s response is contained in a replying affidavit. She said the matter was sub judice and would not comment publicly. No court has ruled on the allegations.

Under the Constitutional Court’s Qwelane judgement, hurt or offence alone is insufficient to establish hate speech. Read objectively and in context, the expression must demonstrate a clear intention to be harmful or incite harm, and to promote or propagate hatred on a prohibited ground.

The court must therefore decide whether Lukie’s posts targeted people because they were Jewish, or because of their support for Israel and Zionism.

That distinction will be tested against the context in which Lukie wrote. By August 2024, Palestinians had been documenting Gaza’s destruction from inside the besieged enclave for ten months.

That record of destruction has been examined by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry, Amnesty International and the Israeli organisations B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel, each of which concluded that Israel’s assault amounts to genocide.

Oxford philosopher Brian Klug defines antisemitism as “hostility towards Jews as Jews” – a formulation that distinguishes prejudice against Jewish identity from opposition to political belief.

The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, endorsed by more than 200 scholars, states that “criticising or opposing Zionism as a form of nationalism” is not, on its face, antisemitic.

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Those definitions help clarify the distinction, but the legal test comes from the Equality Act and South African precedent.

In SAHRC v Masuku, the Constitutional Court examined four statements made during the 2008–2009 Gaza war. It found that one crossed the threshold into hate speech. The other three did not. The evidence indicated that Masuku was addressing supporters of Israel and Zionism, not Jewish people on the basis of their identity. In reaching that distinction, the Court weighed evidence pointing in both directions – that Zionism forms part of the identity of many Jews, and that accusations of antisemitism can silence legitimate criticism of Israel. Context ultimately determined the meaning.

Context was similarly decisive in the Dubul’ ibhunu, or “Kill the Boer”, litigation. Rather than reading the words as a literal command, the courts considered the struggle song’s history, political function and understood meaning before finding that it was not hate speech.

The ruling in Lukie’s case may define how South African law distinguishes genuine antisemitism from uncompromising opposition to Zionism amid the genocide in Gaza.

The post Equality court case, anti-Zionism and antisemitism appeared first on Al-Qalam.

As South Africa continues its historic case for Palestine against Israel at the International Court of Justice, two of the world’s most outspoken advocates for Palestine and human rights – George Galloway and Yvonne Ridley – will touch down in South Africa this September for a multi-city “People Power” tour.

The Durban leg of the tour is hosted by Palestine House South Africa and Wage Peace International, and features a press conference, mosque talk, fundraising dinner, and a university event designed to bridge geopolitics and grassroots action, united against imperialism. 

Friday 25/9/26: Press Conference – Addressing The Politics of Division (Venue to be confirmed); Saturday 26/9/26: Fundraising Dinner – Panel Discussion & Solidarity Fundraiser (NMJ Hall); Monday 28/9/26: University Workshop – aimed at empowering youth, but all welcome.

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Shabnam Palesa Mohamed, Durban convener, said: “Durban declared Zionism a form of racism in 2001. That declaration is our strength. We are bringing Galloway and Ridley here to empower people – not just to march, but to lobby, boycott, create, and educate. Together, we turn pain into power.” 

Galloway and Ridley’s presence in South Africa has been arranged by Imam Al Ghazali Global Relief. Pretoria, Johannesburg, Polokwane, and Cape Town are also hosting events during this popular tour. More details, including event listings and ticketing, are available at www.GallowayRidley.co.za

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The post UK activists Galloway and Ridley on SA Tour appeared first on Al-Qalam.

For more than 20 years, Farzana Rahiman has dedicated her life to protecting vulnerable children. As a social worker, she has entered homes where violence, poverty and gang activity are an everyday reality. She has faced threats, witnessed dangerous situations and made difficult decisions to remove children from harm.

Yet it was not the dangers of her profession that left her most disheartened. Instead, it was being told that the hijab she has worn for most of her life had become an obstacle in obtaining a firearm licence.

A police officer at Parrow Police Station told her that her application came back with an X next to her photo. The officer told Rahiman that the problem with her application was that she had a scarf on, and her application was thus not approved.

Now the portfolio committee on Police is set to submit a question to the Provincial Police Commissioner on why the hijab wearing applicant was denied a licence.

The mother of two daughters said she grew up in a home where faith and education went hand in hand.

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“My parents have four daughters and we were raised in an Islamic home with Islamic ethos but very strong on the sentiment of education. So, between my four sisters, we all hold degrees,” she told Al-Qalam.

She credits her late father for encouraging his daughters to pursue opportunities without allowing cultural stereotypes to limit them.

Those values remained with her throughout her career. Today, her work often takes her into environments where social workers are exposed to real risks.

She explained that there are communities where she no longer allows staff members to conduct home visits because of safety concerns.

The decision to apply for a firearm licence, she told Al-Qalam, was not driven by fear but by practicality after years of working in unpredictable situations.

After completing accredited firearm training, purchasing a firearm and submitting the required documentation, Rahiman believed she had fulfilled every legal requirement. Instead, months later, she learnt there was an issue with the photograph accompanying her application because she was wearing a hijab.

Rather than simply complying, Rahiman began researching the legal framework herself.

She said she searched for court judgments and carefully examined the Firearms Control Act but could not find any provision preventing Muslim women from wearing a hijab in firearm licence photographs. “As far as the Firearm Controls Act goes, the only thing that you’re not allowed to wear is a hat and sunglasses.”

What followed, however, left her questioning the system.

She recalled being advised that she could wear a wig instead or even use artificial intelligence to alter her photograph.

For Rahiman, those suggestions missed the fundamental purpose of an identity document.

She explained that every official identification document she currently holds, including her passport, driver’s licence and identity document features her wearing a hijab. “If the purpose of the identification card is to be able to identify the licence holder, then you should be able to see me.”

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The issue, she believes, extends beyond a single application.

During the days following the publicity around her case, Rahiman said she heard from other Muslim women who claimed they had removed their hijabs simply to complete the licensing process.

She worries that many women may never challenge such decisions because they lack the knowledge, confidence or resources to do so. “Not everybody has access to resources. Not everybody has insight in the ability to use those resources.”

Rahiman also expressed concern about what she believes is a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment online. “Islamophobia is highly on the rise in South Africa, and this is something I’ve experienced personally,” she added.

The post Hijabi social worker challenges firearm license process appeared first on Al-Qalam.

For many learners at Durban’s Open Air School, access to medical care is an essential part of the school day. Thanks to a donation of essential medical equipment from the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA) Durban, the school is now better equipped to provide health care.

The handover took place on 23 July at Open Air School in Glenwood, a specialist public school that caters for approximately 260 learners from pre-primary to Grade 12 with special educational needs, including learning, physical and mental disabilities. 

The donation included two beds, two medicine cabinets, a portable aspirator, a nebuliser, a stretcher and medicine kidney trays for the school’s sick bay. The equipment will help staff respond more effectively to learners who require medical attention during the school day.

Speaking to Al-Qalam, IMASA Durban and IMA Baytul Nur Chairman, Solly Suleman, said that the organisation was motivated by a desire to ensure that every child has access to a safe and supportive learning environment.

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He stressed that care should never depend on ability: “Every child deserves to feel safe, seen and supported while at school, regardless of their disability. We wanted to help make their learning experience easier and more dignified.” 

Suleman explained that the equipment would strengthen the school’s ability to provide day-to-day medical care. “With beds for rest, a stretcher for emergencies, and tools like a nebuliser and aspirator, the staff will be far more prepared to respond to learners who feel unwell or need immediate attention. It gives both learners and staff peace of mind,” he said. 

He told Al-Qalam that meeting the learners was one of the most memorable parts of the visit. He described the visit as “unforgettable”, reflecting on how the IMA Durban team was welcomed with dancing, singing, bright smiles and “the sweetest hugs”. The learners were so full of light and so welcoming. “The hugs, the joy and the happiness were overwhelming in the best way,” he added.  

Suleman highlighted that the initiative reflects IMASA’s commitment to serving communities and supporting vulnerable members of society. “At IMASA, we are committed to helping anyone in need, regardless of race, religion, background or ability. Supporting Open Air School is part of living out that commitment and ensuring that even the most vulnerable in our community are cared for,” he said. 

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He also thanked the school’s staff for their dedication to the learners: “Thank you for the incredible love you pour into these children every single day. You are changing lives.”

When addressing the learners, Suleman thanked them for the warm welcome: “You brought so much joy to our hearts. Keep shining, you are seen, you are loved, and you matter.”

Suleman is confident that the equipment will make a meaningful difference to both learners and staff, strengthening the school’s ability to provide timely medical care when it is needed. The donation is a reminder of what can be achieved when communities come together to support those who need it most. 

Reflecting on the visit, Suleman said that the experience reinforced an important lesson. “This experience reminded us that to give is to receive. We came to give, but we left having received so much more. The kindness of the learners softened our hearts and brought tears to our eyes. It reminded us why we do this work,” he said. 

The post IMASA – Medical equipment for Open-Air School appeared first on Al-Qalam.

The South African Palestine Movement says they were harassed by police this week when they peacefully protested outside the Durban International Convention Centre where the SADC Summit was being held.

A small group of just 10 peaceful activists gathered to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and to raise concerns about xenophobia, Afrophobia, and the protection of human rights across the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region.

“Instead of facilitating this lawful and peaceful picket, protesters were confronted by an overwhelming police presence. There were approximately four times as many police officers as protesters, creating an atmosphere of intimidation rather than one of protection.

“The role of the police is to safeguard the rights of peaceful demonstrators, not to intimidate or discourage lawful civic participation. Such disproportionate policing risks undermining the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and protest.

“We call on the relevant authorities to ensure that all law enforcement officers uphold the Constitution and respect the rights of those who engage in peaceful, non-violent protest. Democracy is strengthened when peaceful voices are protected, not silenced.

“Peaceful protest is not a threat—it is a cornerstone of a democratic society. From the Durban ICC we moved to the @ANC offices  – and again the police asked us to move,” the statement added.

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Each year on 18 July, the nation is called upon to give 67 minutes of service — one for each of the 67 years Madiba devoted to the freedom and dignity of his people. This year’s message from the Nelson Mandela Foundation was as urgent as ever: “It is still in your hands to combat poverty and inequality”. At Africa Muslims Agency, our hope is that your 67 minutes becomes your entrance point into our EmpowerSA programme.

For close to four decades, we have worked together in communities across South Africa — not for a single day, but through every season. When families face hunger, we are there with food. When winter bites hardest, we bring blankets to those who would otherwise sleep cold. When dignity rests on the simplest of essentials, we distribute hygiene kits so that people can face each day with their heads held high. Our donors and supporters have upheld Madiba’s legacy through steady, year-round care that empowers and inspires.

Short-term assistance alone cannot break the cycle of poverty. Mandela understood that education is “the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” and AMA has taken that lesson to heart. Our stationery drives make sure no learner starts the school year empty-handed. Our bursaries open doors for bright young minds who would otherwise be turned away by circumstance. And at the Aman School in Finetown, we are nurturing a new generation — equipping children with the knowledge, confidence and values to keep building a better South Africa long into the future.

“It always seems impossible until it is done.” — Nelson Mandela

At the heart of this work is a simple conviction: giving should be a way of life, not an occasional act. AMA’s volunteer programmes across South Africa are designed to instil that love of giving in everyone who takes part. Volunteers stand beside us at distributions, bring their energy to our events, and help our pop-ups come alive. Some give their time; others give their skills and knowledge — from logistics and photography to teaching and trade. There is no single way to serve. There is only the willingness to show up, and a community ready to welcome you.

This Mandela Day, AMA ran initiatives across the country, from soup kitchens to painting schools to time spent with the elderly – turning Madiba’s call to action into real change. For our teams and volunteers, these activities don’t just take place on Mandela Day, but they take place all year round.  Mandela Day serves as an opportunity for us to invite more people to share in our work, and hopefully join us in future initiatives, helping us to grow the legacy of Madiba even further each year. 

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