Durban North woman provides relief to those in need
As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month this August, the Northglen News brings you a five-part editorial, featuring inspirational women from the North Durban area. Women's Month is a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956, to protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.
MENTION the name Elham Hatfield and most of Durban North will know who you are talking about. She is a wife and mom and also a people lover.
Hatfield started the Disaster Relief Support programme about three years ago, following the 2021 floods that affected thousands of people across Durban. After lending a hand to those who required clothes, food and other essentials, she decided that the programme was something she would like to maintain.
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“My husband manages the Durban Fire Department so I hear about fires and other disasters that leave people displaced, and often, at times, with nothing. Through the Disaster Relief Support, many people receive help. The community donates clothes, food and bedding, and I, with the help of others, see that it goes to where it is needed,” she said.
Hatfield is Moroccan but French-born. She came from France to visit South Africa in 2006 after her sister asked her to accompany her. In France, she worked in the events security sector. She returned in 2007, and then in 2008, she decided to make Durban her home after meeting her husband. She works part-time for the Virginia Airport where she assists with flight bookings.
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“I love that I still have the freedom to watch my children grow and to spend time making a difference in the lives of those in need, and let me tell you, the need out there is great. Not only do people need basic survival items but they also need education and upliftment. They need to be heard, seen and empowered,” she added.
“When I visit these areas to help, I don’t just drop off donations and leave. I get to know the people and their stories while they help me sort out and distribute items. It’s important that we get to know people – who they are and where they come from,” she said.
Because of the logistics and planning involved in facilitating donation drop-offs, Hatfield says she has very little time for herself, and also, there is no place she would rather be than at home with her family whom she loves dearly, but when that hour or two of free time does become available, which is very rare, you will find her at the beach, enjoying the outdoors and thinking of ways to help more people.
“I love meditation and the ocean – the smell, the sound. It’s so peaceful. I don’t like judgemental people, bullying and lying,” she added.
“My next projects are to alleviate period poverty and start a holiday programme for children,” she said.
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