On Saturday, 8 November, The Baby Home Durban North hosted its annual World Adoption Day Charity Ball, drawing more than 250 guests to the Hellenic Hall for an evening that combined elegance, purpose, and heartfelt generosity.
Themed “I Was Here,” the event highlighted the importance of compassion and collective action in supporting vulnerable children. The evening was steered with warmth and humour by East Coast Radio presenters Shaina-Rae and Danny Guselli, while Survivor South Africa winner Rob Bentele delivered the keynote address.
Bentele spoke about resilience and the power of giving, reminding guests that, “It’s not about what you do for yourself, but what you can do for others.”
Co-founder Joanne Teunissen described the entertainment lineup as “nothing short of spectacular.” Local acts Blood Brother, Tatum Tides, and the duo Matt Davies and Tim Lewis performed throughout the night, while Dream Girl Productions provided dance performances that captivated the audience. Guests also enjoyed welcome drinks provided by Nawty Water and took part in raffles and giveaways.
The charity auction proved to be one of the highlights of the evening, achieving record bids and reflecting what Teunissen called “an extraordinary display of community generosity.” Contributions from local businesses and long-time supporters helped raise significant funds for The Baby Home’s ongoing work with abandoned and vulnerable babies.
“The theme ‘I Was Here’ captured what the evening was really about,” Teunissen said. “Every person in that room played a part in changing a child’s life — by showing up, by giving, by caring.”
The success of this year’s ball underscored what has become a defining feature of the event: a community coming together not just to celebrate, but to make a tangible difference.
