Joint Aid Management (JAM) South Africa hosted its inaugural charity ball at Avianto in Muldersdrift on 30 July.
The event was a star-studded affair where CEO Peter Pretorius made a passionate plea to attending guests to open up their hearts to the poor children of Africa, who desperately need care and nourishment.
“Before I founded JAM I did not understand poor people until I found myself stranded in Mozambique for 10 days with very little food and water in 1984. It was then that I saw what poverty was and it broke my heart to see children suffering due to a lack of food and nourishment,” Pretorius said.
He urged everyone to become involved with JAM because it could not do it alone without the support of others.
Guests mingled with celebrities, the likes of former Miss South Africa Basetsana Khumalo, a JAM SA ambassador who urged those attending to support the hungry children of Africa. She made a special mention about the late Simba Mhere, whose parents were in attendance.
Also present was former Carte Blanche anchor Doreen Morris who said that the work that JAM SA did was really the work that we are all called to do. “I’m reminded of the words of Matthew in the Bible that say, I was hungry and you fed me; I was naked and you clothed me; a stranger and you invited me into your home,” she said.
Miss Teen SA and Miss Teen World Katlego Ncala added that it was important for young people to play a role in the future of Africa.
“Food security in Africa is an issue that needs to be attended to as there are too many children who go to bed hungry,” she said.
Gauteng MEC of Health Qedani Mahlangu spoke about the importance of nutrition for young children and challenged guests to support JAM SA as the work it was doing was really needed. Loyd Cele and the Soweto Opera Quadro serenaded guest with a few songs. Leizle Eykelhof from JAM SA said that it costs just R30 to feed a child for a month and R360 for a whole year. She encouraged everyone to donate money or time to helping others less fortunate.
Details: JAM SA, jamsa@jamint.com or 011 548 3900.
