NOBLE CAMPAIGN
During Sanzaf’s annual Fitrah hamper packing, staff and volunteers intensified its campaign to complete 18 000 parcels for poorer communities for this coming Eid.
THE South African National Zakah Fund (Sanzaf) has intensified its campaign to help 18 000 families in the province have a dignified Eid, as Ramadaan comes to an end this week.
Sanzaf was joined by hundreds of volunteers at the Rylands Civic Centre in Gatesville yesterday for its annual ceremonial Fitrah hamper packing. In Muslim religious custom, Fitrah is an obligatory annual tax (R40) towards feeding one person for a day at the end of Ramadaan.
The NGO’s general manager, Yasmina Francke, said the event formed part of the organisation’s national campaign to aid 23 000 families. “The Western Cape has the largest number of parcels to distribute, due to the high level of poverty experienced here. There is still a need the day after Eidul-Fitr, as through Fitrah, we could help feed as many families each month.”
The Fitrah collected from the province’s Muslim communities allowed volunteers to assemble groceries consisting of cooking oil, rice, chicken, sweets, potatoes and onions and more.
The Third Bonteheuwel Scouts were one of the scout troops Sanzaf challenged through social media to join volunteers in hamper packing.
Troop scouter Paul du Plessis said their scouts jumped at the opportunity, as their troop aspires to be of duty to their greater community and also be part of worthy causes.
Rondebosch resident Shafiek Jackson was volunteering for the first time and brought his daughter Noora, 7, and sons Ammaar, 12, and Anneem, 15, with him.
He said his eldest was part of a scout troop volunteering and believed the experience would benefit his children.
Sanzaf deputy national chairperson Showkat Mukadam said the organisation welcomed the assistance from volunteers, as they alone would not be able to complete the number of hampers.
He said Fitrah contributions received were utilised through other Sanzaf educational and development programmes in collaboration with other organisations, as skills development was considered key in eliminating poverty.
He said hampers would be distributed to mosques throughout the week, many of which are situated within the poorest communities across the province.
Sanzaf welcomes any contribution or assistance and can be contacted on 0861 726 923. For more information visit: www. sanzaf.org.za.