The MotiMoves winter blanket drive has made its way to the West Rand where 1 400 blankets were donated to three significant and influential charitable organisations that have served the communities of Krugersdorp for years.
The West Rand Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) was the beneficiary of 500 blankets which it plans to hand out to victims of gender-based violence over the next month.
The Fhulufhelu Project Hope Centre, which serves many disadvantaged Munsieville residents, also received 500 blankets, while The Cradle of Hope, a sanctuary for women and children in desperate situations, received 400 blankets.
The MotiMoves drive aims to donate some 20 000 blankets to organisations and communities in need across Gauteng over the winter months and, to date, has handed over more than half of that amount.
Investor and philanthropist Zunaid Moti, who is also the founder of MotiMoves, said the platform is designed to empower the South African youth through entrepreneurship.
“Providing warmth should be a basic human right, especially during the freezing winter months. A blanket may seem like a small gesture, but it makes a significant difference to those in our communities who struggle to keep their children or elderly parents warm during nights when it gets unbearably cold.”
By far the biggest of the annual winter initiatives that Moti and his team have taken on, Moti felt it was appropriate to reach out to the public through his social media, asking for charity nominations. After a lengthy due diligence process, several organisations were selected to be visited over three months.
Lieutenant Colonel Neo Mekgwe from the FCS Unit added, “It has been our wish that one day we would be giving our survivors of crime something more than a tin of cookies. You can imagine how much this will mean to the people we’ll reach with these 500 blankets, most of which we plan to hand out on Nelson Mandela Day this month.”
He added, “It’s heart-warming to see a foundation that gives out such a huge donation so quickly. We did not give them much time but they responded immediately after we told them about our need. They included us in their drive, for which we are deeply grateful.”
According to Moti, the MotiMoves programme goes beyond business skills development by further focusing on supporting individuals and communities in critical areas such as education, health, and nutrition.
“Through its philanthropic efforts, the programme has made significant contributions across various sectors, including education bursaries, and sports and creative arts sponsorships. Notably, MotiMoves has invested over R10 million to enhance the lives of those in need, underscoring its dedication to social upliftment.”
Moti concluded by saying that MotiMoves plans to continue its blanket distribution every weekend over the next few months.
“After careful consideration, about 66 charities, organisations, and communities were selected to receive donations during this time, each tailored to their specific needs. Selected charities will be notified a week before delivery.”
