The Gift of the Givers Foundation, in collaboration with Dubai Souk and Copper Chimney, hosted a special celebration for senior citizens on Friday in Durban, providing a much-needed space of joy, dignity, and relaxation for the elderly.
The event was designed to honour and uplift underprivileged senior citizens from diverse cultural backgrounds, including residents from shelters and informal settlements around Durban.
Guests enjoyed an afternoon filled with old-school music, stand-up comedy, light entertainment, and a generous buffet meal, while accompanying children were treated to fun rides and activities.
This initiative offered more than just entertainment; it provided the elderly with a rare moment to unwind, feel appreciated, and simply enjoy a day dedicated to them.
Bilall Jeewa, the Gift of the Givers community liaison officer in KwaZulu-Natal, said the collaboration allowed the vulnerable to experience an event of this nature.
“We had initially planned for 200 citizens to attend, but we had between 450 and 500 people who attended,” he said.
The diversity of the crowd was a highlight, according to Jeewa.
“We had a mixture of races, cultures, everything you can think of from different backgrounds. We also had about 15 kids that came,” he said, explaining that children affected by a New Year’s Eve fire that destroyed 80 homes in Effingham were also invited.
While the overwhelming attendance meant the organisers had to “improvise”, everyone was provided with a meal, and the elderly guests received gifts, including a hygiene pack and peanut butter. The children were given free rides.
The celebration follows a similar programme hosted on Christmas Eve for about 150 orphaned or displaced children.
Jeewa explained that the event fair organisers approached Gift of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, to collaborate because they “wanted to give back something to the communities that can’t afford to come for these programmes”.
He said transport was also provided for the beneficiaries, and some stallholders who could not afford the rental fee were accommodated.
Based on his observations, Jeewa said the beneficiaries were “overwhelmed” by the success of the day.
“It was absolutely lovely. Now people are still phoning and thanking us,” he said.
Jeewa hopes this marks the start of many more similar events.
“It was quite impressive. We started something new, and hopefully we can partner with others to keep this momentum going.”
