Zodwa Zungu Foundation donates R4.2 million to uplift communities

At the Zodwa Zungu Foundation's donation handover Ceremony held recently in Umhlanga, Sandile Zungu, a trustee of the foundation, addressed a gathering of distinguished guests, partners, and community supporters, marking a significant occasion of remembrance and action. 

“Where opportunity meets compassion, change becomes inevitable,” he said.

Reflecting on the foundation's origins, Zungu poignantly recalled the life of his late wife, Zodwa Zungu, who passed away in 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer.

“Our mission was never purely to memorialise Zodwa's life, but to carry forward her ethos of love, generosity, and empowerment,” he said.

Established in her honour in 2017, the Zodwa Zungu Foundation aims to transform the lives of those in need by focusing on three crucial pillars: Education, Economic Sustainability, and Healthcare.

“Education,” Zungu explained, “is about supporting learning and development, while economic sustainability aims to empower disadvantaged individuals through skills training and self-help initiatives.

"Our healthcare mission is clear: to provide essential medical services to underprivileged communities, with an emphasis on cancer care.”

He emphasised that the foundation’s work not only addresses isolated issues but acknowledged the interconnection of life's challenges and the holistic solutions required to tackle them.

"Today, the foundation handed over R4.2 million, allocated to various beneficiaries, with an intention to create lasting change

"St Francis College received R3.5 million. This donation will complete the construction of the new Zodwa Zungu IT Centre, providing students with access to advanced technology in their immediate community.

"The Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre was given R200,000. This funding will support holistic care for vulnerable families in Mandeni, enhancing their quality of life in moments of need.

"The Houghton Tirano School was handed R200,000 to fund a feeding scheme that ensures pupils do not have to choose between attending school and receiving a meal.

"The Mangosuthu University of Technology got R100,000 in support of cancer awareness initiatives, this donation is especially significant, given Zodwa's path, empowering youth from underserved backgrounds.

"R100,000 was given to the Stepping Stone Hospice to ensure the dignity and care for patients with life-limiting illnesses through quality support services.

"The Vukuzakhe High School's donation of R100,000 was for the purchase of mattresses for study camps, promoting safer and more comfortable preparation for matric examinations.

“Each recipient represents a unique intersection of need and opportunity.

“As we empower the next generation, we also care for the vulnerable, ensuring that no child studies on an empty stomach and that education remains a priority.”

He highlighted that these donations were not merely financial transactions but partnerships based on mutual growth and accountability. As the ceremony concluded, Zungu reminded attendees that the legacy of Zodwa Zungu lived on through this collective commitment to uplift communities.

“Let us go forward with renewed resolve to educate, to empower, and to build a better South Africa, acting with purpose inspired by love,” he urged.

DAILY NEWS