The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) kicked off its 50th anniversary celebrations in January with the launch of 50 feeding scheme programmes across South Africa.
Locally this initiative was carried out by the SANZAF Gqeberha and Kariega offices.
The organisation partnered with Afri-Save Cash and Carry in Kariega to provide meals to diverse communities in the Bay.
The collaborative efforts brought not only food, but also hope to numerous individuals and families who are plagued by hunger daily.
This programme is one of many that will follow throughout the year.
The organisation upholds the third pillar of Islam, which is the facilitation of the obligatory zakah (charity) collection and the equitable distribution thereof.
SANZAF is the oldest Muslim charity organisation which solely facilitates zakah. This is an obligatory tax upon Muslims of two-and-a-half percent of excess funds which have not been used within a one-year cycle.
In addition to feeding schemes, SANZAF has ongoing youth development programmes and bursaries, women empowerment initiatives, and community upliftment programmes.
Moulana Salmaan Fredericks, chairperson of SANZAF Gqeberha and Kariega, said that SANZAF has evolved over the last 50 years from merely facilitating zakah to buy food parcels, to a proper poverty alleviation organisation.
“Our bursary programme is extremely successful and every year we witness graduates entering the job market, fully supporting their families.
“Our skills development programmes and entrepreneurial support programmes also ensure that more unemployed people find jobs or derive an income from their business,” said Fredericks.
Before the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, SANZAF will host a gratitude lunch on March 3.
As SANZAF celebrates 50 years of service, this milestone serves as an opportunity to emphasise ongoing efforts of collecting and distributing zakah and the important role it plays in uplifting communities.
For more information contact the SANZAF office on 041 457 1459.
