Park Hill in Durban North was bustling with dignitaries, government officials, and philanthropists who gathered to celebrate a significant milestone for the non-profit organisation (NPO) Khulani Shelter, which officially welcomed Fundani Children’s Home into its family on Friday, 26 July.
Founded over 20 years ago amid the HIV and AIDS epidemic that orphaned countless children, the Khulani Shelter has long been a beacon of hope for the people of KwaZulu-Natal who were hard-hit by the pandemic. The Fundani Children’s Home in Park Hill was handed to the organisation by the founder and chairman of the Sibaya Community Trust, Vivian Reddy, who invested over R7-million into the project.
“Our investment marks a significant testament to our commitment to community upliftment, which not only brings hope, but a tangible difference in the lives of the most vulnerable of our people. We are delighted to have invested in Khulani Shelter, an NPO striving to ensure that our youth are taken off the streets and are provided with a place of safety, warmth, and comfort. We are especially heartened that this facility serves to rehabilitate our youth, equipping them with the necessary life skills to become productive members of society,” said Reddy
Reddy paid tribute to the founder of Khulani Shelter, Prudence Mwandla, for her extensive work in creating a sanctuary and a safe space for the vulnerable when the HIV/AIDS pandemic left countless children orphaned and vulnerable. He stated that the Trust “is not merely transferring a building but passing on a legacy of love”.
The eThekwini Municipality mayor, Cyril Xaba, in his speech, said the handover of Fundani Children’s Home was a momentous occasion as this act of kindness symbolises a commitment to the welfare and future of vulnerable children in the community.
“We strongly believe that it is when government works together with the private sector and civil society that we can address the developmental challenges that bedevil our society. You will agree with me that we live in a society where children are experiencing all forms of abuse and it is heartwarming to see patriots like Reddy contributing towards creating a safe environment and a brighter future for our children. As we strive to build a better life for all, children must be our priority because they are a foundation on which the future of this country can be built,” said Mayor Xaba.
His sentiments were shared by the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, who said: “I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the chairman and founder of the Sibaya Community Trust, Vivian Reddy, and the trustees for this pivotal contribution to society, more especially to the children of South Africa. The government has invested in children through various services like education, access to clean water, health, and electricity, and currently has the biggest social assistance programme aimed at protecting children. However, there remains a large number of children who are vulnerable and indigent.”
He said centres such as Khulani Children’s Shelter, play a significant role in our society by providing statutory services on behalf of the Department of Social Development.
“Given the myriad of social ills and challenges our country is facing, the needs far outweigh the means to address them. It therefore becomes very important to encourage and appreciate partnerships with different sectors of society in addressing the needs of a South African child. The work done by such NPOs is supported by the private sector and it goes a long way in assisting the government to meet the challenges facing our children today,” he said.
