Capping off a long-weekend of giving, the Moti Cares Foundation and volunteers spent this year’s Youth Day distributing over 2,000 blankets and 2,000 bread loaves to vulnerable communities in Langlaagte and Vrededorp. This event forms part of a larger initiative that will see the group handing out a total of 20,000 blankets, as well as thousands of food parcels and sweet packets for children and families across Gauteng.
“Youth Day reminds us of the importance of change through action, so it represented the perfect time to show up for those in need,” said Zunaid Moti, investor, philanthropist, and founder of the Moti Cares Foundation. “Every year, we see the deep impact that even a simple gesture like a warm blanket or a loaf of bread can have on the life of another, and I’m grateful to the many volunteers who were willing to join us in lending a helping hand, and spreading hope and comfort.”
The Langlaagte and Vrededorp handovers took place in parks within residential areas served by the programme. Immediately after, volunteers also distributed blankets and bread to individuals experiencing homelessness in Mayfair, as well as to the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Coronationville.
Langlaagte and Vrededorp were selected following a month-long nomination period where people submitted the names of their favourite communities and non-profit organisations on social media. Submissions were reviewed by the Foundation’s vetting team, and handovers were coordinated with established non-profit organisations to ensure donations reached those who needed them most.
This year’s blanket drive is part of the Moti Cares Foundation’s ongoing work to support vulnerable communities across South Africa. Over the years, the Foundation has provided thousands of blankets and food parcels to those in need, with key moments including the large-scale distribution of over two million meals in response to the KwaZulu-Natal riots in 2021. Through these continued efforts, Moti Cares remains committed to bringing warmth, relief, and dignity to those who need it most.
Monday’s donation followed the programme’s kick-off event on Sunday at the Katlehong Art Centre, where 800 blankets, 600 loaves of bread, and children’s sweet packets were handed out to community members. The remainder of this year’s 20,000 blankets will roll out over the next few weeks as winter slowly approaches its peak, with Soweto next on the list for the coming weekend.
“Every year, the need for this type of programme becomes clearer to us. Over the past few weeks, we’ve received countless messages from concerned residents sharing stories of fellow community members braving the cold nights with little more than a blanket and a t-shirt. Realities like these really drive home just how much need is out there.
“With this in mind, I would encourage other business leaders to look into their hearts and to give whatever they can. Through collective effort and close cooperation, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those who deserve our compassion and care,” concludes Moti.