The Baron Group of Restaurants, one of the oldest restaurants in South Africa, recently hosted a charity golf day event to raise funds for the Save the Children Fund - Gauteng. More than 30 sponsors visited the beautiful Kyalami Golf Club to participate in the action packed day, which ended with a tasteful awards ceremony dinner and a R150 000 cheque handover.

Many popular faces attended including; 5fm’s Sasha Martinengo, Mix fm’s  Tony Blewitt, SA comedian Kevin Perkins and professional golfer Michael Scholz.

“We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors that contributed to this initiative. The money raised exceeded expectations and all the children and families that will benefit from this will be highly grateful. We look forward to next year’s event with great anticipation”, says Mary Hanna, from Save the Children.

At the first sign of daylight on Tuesday February 12th, the DreamWorker team and ten unemployed members of the community set about handing out flyers at the main intersections around Fish Hoek to create public awareness around the plight of unemployed people and what Capetonians can do to help. Over 3000 flyers were distributed.

DreamWorker would like to thank the community for being so incredibly warm and supportive. DreamWorker is a community based NGO dedicated to helping the unemployed find work opportunities. For more details visit www.dreamworker.org.za or call 021 696 4048.

The Sunday Times is reinforcing its commitment to the education of South African children by donating R1.2M worth of school fee prizes this January 2013. At least 80 children stand to benefit from random giveaways of R15,000 each to cover the costs of the 2013 academic year.

"While The Sunday Times has been providing educational and reading materials to classrooms and homes in the form of our Storybooks and ReadRight initiatives as well as training to teachers on how to use newspapers as an additional resource in their classrooms, we also recognise the significant burden that schools fees can represent to parents – especially when coupled with the costs of supporting materials like books, uniforms and stationery," comments Ray Hartley, editor of The Sunday Times.

The Sunday Times are thus giving all South Africans a chance to win. To qualify for one of the 80 prizes, parents must simply purchase a copy of The Sunday Times at any Pick n Pay store from 6th - 27th January 2013 and SMS their name and till slip number to be entered into a random draw. Any winner whose school fees are less than R15,000 will receive the balance in Pick n Pay vouchers. In addition, consumers purchasing the newspaper during this period will also receive a free stationery gift from BiC, with each weekly edition.

The second annual M-Net Cares Drive for the Cause National Final, in association with Liberty Medical Scheme, was hosted in November at Randpark Golf Club. This event was a culmination of 16 golf days, eight clinics and the National Final, which saw a total of R636 038.00 raised for two beneficiaries namely M-Net Naledi Children’s Literacy Project and PinkDrive.

The 2012 M-Net Cares Drive for the Cause National Final was rounded off with a star-studded prize-giving dinner. Golfers, sponsors, celebrity guests and media celebrated the cheque handover to Pink Drive Breast Cancer and M-Net Naledi Children’s Literacy Project of R318 095.00 respectively.

The Northern Territories Branch of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) has donated 380 trees to the residents of Rietfontein Village near Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg.

This follows the raising of funds for this purpose at the association’s annual congress that was held in Johannesburg in July, in close cooperation with Food & Trees for Africa’s (FTFA’s) Trees for Home programme.

The students at Mary Ann's Cooking classes were astounded by the arrival of Bongi Ngema Zuma during a cooking class at Mary Ann's Kitchen at Hirsch's Umlazi. The visit by the first lady was a complete suprise and was in support of the great work Mary Ann Vundla is doing in the community of Umlazi

Mary Ann Vundla offers free cooking classes to eager unemployed and employed individuals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The classes cover cooking and baking skills, with new recipes and methods being demonstrated weekly. The aim of the free classes is for students to learn valuable cooking skills that will empower them to start their own businesses and earn an income. Mary Ann has seen many students pass through her school, with many of them starting their own businesses and inspiring new communities with hope for the future.

So if you are free on a Tuesday or Thursday, head on over to Hirsch's Umlazi, where everyone is welcome to join.

The Casterbridge Music Development Academy (CMDA) celebrates its first anniversary in October this year. They are a non-profit program started by an enthusiastic bunch of music lovers, people who are passionate about making music accessible to the youth in their area. Based in White River, Mpumalanga, their aim is to provide music lessons and performing opportunities for children aged 12 and older. Children from all backgrounds are welcomed into the program, at a fee of R20 per year. This membership allows them to attend music, drama and dance lessons each week with specialist coaches at a designated ‘hub’ in their area. So far, a year into our project they have over 350 kids registered and have created 3 ‘hubs’ (music centres, well kitted out with numerous instruments).

Their focus is on continued high standards and excellence in coaching. All members are given the opportunity, once they achieve a certain standard, to perform in a band on stage, and this has been a fabulous experience for many of the children. The CMDA bands have created quite a name in the Lowveld, and have so far played in the opening line-up for UB40, Elvis Blue and Mango Groove, and also performed in their own right at the Uplands Festival and at Innibos in Nelspruit.

The program is unique in South Africa, and has received tremendously positive feedback from the young people who attend the Performing Arts Centre in White River, and who participate in activities at our ‘hubs’ in kaBokweni and Zwelisha. Music is well known to improve academic results, particularly mathematics, and is a therapy and a positive outlet in itself. Giving youngsters a channel for their creative energies has benefited many of the children, and it is a pleasure to see them develop in confidence and stage presence.

To find out more, visit www.mpuma-music.org.za or join their facebook page.

Learners at Zandspruit Primary School in Zandspruit informal settlement, north-west of Johannesburg received a treat from MTN as part of Mandela Day. MTN staff distributed gifts to the learners, including bicycles and school shoes. They also assembled a jungle gym and handed over a microwave, sink and gas stove, for the school kitchen.

Engineering firm, Parsons Brinckerhoff, represented by Executive Director Malambo Shakantu, presented a cheque of R250 000 to Community Provision and Social Services (COMPASS) on 18 July as part of their contribution towards Nelson Mandela Day initiative. In addition, the firm and its staff embarked on a blanket drive where they raised funds to purchase blankets to the value of R10 000 for the children.

COMPASS is a non-profit organisation that provides shelter for mothers and children who comes from a background of physical abuse and violence. The organisation also serves as a life-line for suicidal and rape victims. COMPASS provides counselling services through a monitored programme and they also run a non- profit transport service specifically aimed at the aged in need of medical attention

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Artjamming are partnering up to hold a two day public event in a plight to help save elephants from the ivory trade. This event will be held at Cape Town's Cavendish Square shopping centre on Wednesday the 11th and Thursday the 12th of July. Celebrities and kids aged 5 to 12 from all communities, including the kids from ‘Reach for a Dream’ will be coming to this fun event in which they will participate in a 2day Artjamming paint-a-thon, culminating in an auction of items created by them.

Animal Action started in South Africa eight years ago and is the largest animal welfare event for youth in the world. In 2012 Animal Action’s focus grew on elephants and in particular the need to save elephants from the ivory trade. Using educational materials this programme will introduce young people to the challenges facing animals, people and the world. Artjamming known as the home of paintertainment will be brightening up this event for the kids in an exciting and creative way by allowing them to freely express themselves, making use of various shapes and colours in conjunction with music.

The aim of this event is to get students actively involved in protecting animals and the environment, to educate and inform young people about animals, their habitats and their role in the world and to encourage them to become directly involved in promoting actions, attitudes, and policies that create a better world for animals and people. IFAW’s project will also serve as the launch event for an IFAW Kid’s Club.

On day 1 children from all over Cape Town will be invited to create a painting in an artjamming session, at no cost. The paintings will be used as a backdrop for the next session on day 2. On day 250 children that entered the online competition will paint 10 doors together with celebrity guests. These doors will serve as a constant reminder of the threats facing elephants. The doors will then be auctioned at a cocktail party later that evening and the funds raised will be used by IFAW in its activities to protect elephants.

Liebner-Anthony van Zyl and Celesté von Solms will partner with the Els Foundation for Autism when they exhibit at Upstairs @ Bamboo in Melville in June.

Van Zyl, a painter, was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a mild form of autism, in his teens. He has, however, turned this challenge into an opportunity by developing his own unique brand of art. Van Zyl’s paintings reflect the specific way in which he sees and experiences the reality around him.

It will be the couple’s second joint exhibition and also the second time that the Els Foundation will benefit from the sales of their work. The foundation is currently establishing a Centre of Excellence for autism in Gauteng to assist with the specialised educational needs of autism suffers.

The exhibition will run from Saturday 2 June to Sunday the 9th.

The public opened their hearts during Wednesday’s auction of Neil Pauw’s painting and pledged an incredible R570,000 towards the training of tracker dogs that will assist in Jacaranda FM’s anti rhino poaching efforts.

The event took place at Jacaranda FM’s studio in Montecasino. The campaign kicked off in March when Neil Pauw’s painting was part of the The Wild’s storyline on M-Net. Pauw said that its really amazing to know that so many people’s hearts go out to our endangered Rhinos. "When I got into the Jacaranda studio my nerves were on a high. The painting was standing in view of all to see. I had high hopes of it being able to attract at least enough funds for 2 dogs. All I can say is 'WOW!!!' . The amount pledged by all the awesome supporters for the cause way exceeded our expectations. What a great achievement."

Jacaranda FM have been involved in the struggle against rhino poaching since 2010 in collaboration with Stoprhinopoaching.com, regional parks and the Rhino Management Group. The tracker dogs project is the next step to take these efforts further, by providing further support for those at the front line.

Shout's campaign for a safer and better South Africa is nearly two years old and has already created a body of citizen activists and impacted the fight against crime countrywide.

On 15th March 2012, the media have been invited to Montecasino, to be the first to experience the incredible new Shout song and music video, and hear about Shout's next major step in making our beautiful country a safer place for all. The event will be attended by many of the artists and personalities who have taken part in creating Shout's riveting new rally cry.

SA - the Good News will endeavour to publish more details after the release.

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection South Africa celebrated the month of love by donating towards their chosen charity, the Amy Biehl Foundation. The hotels within the group namely, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town, The Oyster Box in Durban and Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat near Clanwilliam have collectively raised over R102,783 last year - an amount which was donated to the Amy Biehl Foundation last week.

Kevin Chaplin, managing director of The Amy Biehl Foundation and Mrs Bea Tollman, founder of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection officiated the cheque handover at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa earlier this month.

The Amy Biehl Foundation was founded in 1997 and is a non-profit organization based in Cape Town whose mission is to prevent youth violence through a holistic approach to youth and community development in socio-economically disadvantaged communities in and around Cape Town. Its main objective is to develop and empower underprivileged youths aged 6 – 18 years in the townships to contribute to their communities. This is executed by providing opportunities through education, cultural programmes and activities, with the belief that empowered youths are not likely to commit violent acts. ABF aims to give them opportunities to become future leaders and entrepreneurs in society.

The Table of Peace and Unity has grown into one of the most lauded, must attend events on the South African social calendar, one which is not only a sensational gourmet feast of the senses, but a feast for the eyes and ears with superb entertainment with some of South Africa’s finest talent - The Parlotones, DannyK, PJ Powers, Sterling EQ and the Gugulethu Tenors. Not only an unforgettable and humbling experience for those who attend, but a lifesaving charitable occasion which has, over the years, raised a staggering R12 million, changing the lives of many of our fragile, vulnerable children in South Africa.

All proceeds go to the designated children’s charities. 13th May 2012 is the date to diarise – make a difference on Mothers Day! For corporate concessions, bookings, as well as how to host a Table in your own community, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

As part of their CSI initiatives, ADfusion (Pty) Ltd took the initiative to wrap up the year with our very own Christmas drive. Together with our employees collective efforts, ADfusion (Pty) Ltd managed to raise R20,000. The money collected was evenly allocated to three targeted areas, namely; the Diepsloot community, Afrika Tikkun’s Youth Development and Early Child Development Centre.

With the help of our CSI partner, Afrika Tikkun, ADfusion (Pty) Ltd managed to target specific members of the Diepsloot community who were in great need of some assistance this December. R10,000 was spent on food parcels for 80 very happy recipients. The parcels included basic necessities such as canned food, pap, soap and washing powder, to name a few. Needless to say these recipients were very happy and grateful to receive an early Christmas gift.

The other R10,000 was diligently spent on sports equipment (chess sets, soccer/net/rugby balls etc.) and educational equipment (toys, puzzles and books) which was donated to the Afrika Tikkun YDC and ECD centres respectively. It is hoped that these gifts go a long way to helping uplift the Diepsloot community by assisting in education and sports development for the future youth of South Africa.

The fight against rhino poaching will be receiving another huge boost. The Unitrans VW & Audi Trust fund, Unite against Poaching, will be handing over a further contribution of R543,000 to combat rhino poaching. This brings the contribution from the Unite against Poaching trust since its inception on 1st September 2011 to R 1,468,000.00. The trust fund which is administered by the SANParks Honorary Rangers is used to equip the Field Rangers in the Kruger National Park to support them in their fight to combat rhino poaching. It is widely accepted that the present rhino poachers are exceptionally well equipped with modern sophisticated weapons and it is essential to match this technology in the field rangers to ensure success.

The Unitrans VW & Audi Trust is funded by a company donation whereby they donate R500 for each vehicle sold (both new and used) to the trust without disadvantaging the pricing to the customer. The funds are channelled efficiently and effectively to where they are needed the most.

Ads4Trees.com is a South African based, next-generation search engine and ad-network that is committed to carbon reduction and large-scale reforestation for the benefit of the earth's environment. By simply using the Ads4Trees search engine service, users around the world are able to help the earth's ailing environment by reducing CO2 emissions and contributing to large-scale global reforestation projects.

Ads4Trees is one of the easiest ways in which people can make a tangible contribution to saving the environment, simply by changing their default search engine provider. For every $30 which an advertisers spends advertising through our world-class pay-per-click ad network, we will ensure that 2 trees get planted or a food garden created by our global-reforestation partners on behalf of that business.

Ads4Trees is built on 2 pillars: our groundbreaking search service that is powered exclusively by renewable green energy from Germany and our world-class ad-network which provides advertisers with an easy way to leverage the growing pro-green lobby so prevalent amongst today's plugged-in consumers.

The Millennium Bracelet, launched by Edgars in association with the Rainbow Collection and Africa!Ignite, aims to highlight the 8 different Millennium Development Goals set out by the United Nations in 2000. The stylish bracelets are available in 8 different bright colours, corresponding with each one of the Millennium Development Goals, such as achieving universal primary education and promoting gender equality etc. At a cost of R19.95 each, they are available at over 40 different Edgars’ stores countrywide. All proceeds from the bracelets go to supporting the disadvantaged woman-crafters who make them, as well as to no 1 (Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger), 3 (Promote gender equality and empower women) and 8 (Global partnership for development) of the UN’s Development Goals.

Jeanne-Marie Louw, dietician and passionate ambassador for diabetes and volunteer for DSA, with the assistance of Pieter Cloete from GoLife, will spearhead the South African initiative towards diabetes awareness by adhering to the call from the IDF and lighting the well-known Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria in blue, during the month of November, which is international Diabetes Awareness Month. Their joint efforts arranged for sponsorship from Osram, who will again provide the lights needed to turn the Voortrekker Monument into a "blue beacon for diabetes awareness".

For more information on Diabetes visit www.diabetessa.co.za

Spirits were high as members of the Journey of Hope Breast Cancer Awareness ride pulled out of Pretoria yesterday morning in a flurry of pink biking gear and growling motorcycle engines. Family, friends and supporters waved them off on the start of their 10 day journey across the northern parts of South Africa where they will be spreading awareness about breast cancer to rural communities.

The purpose of the Journey of Hope ride is to convey a positive and hopeful message regarding breast cancer in a unique and vibrant way. This is done through a group of breast cancer survivors travelling on Honda motorcycles and sharing the stories of their individual battles with breast cancer whilst highlighting the importance of early detection. This year the team is joined by two male breast cancer survivors who are sharing the message that men can get breast cancer too. A full itinerary can be found at www.journeyofhope.co.za/itinerary.html

Cavendish Square will host a fund-raising book sale in aid of HIV/AIDS NGO, Wola Nani, www.wolanani.co.za from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 September, 2011. The sale, supporting Cavendish Square’s children’s literacy initiative, will offer a special focus on ‘Africana’ – books about the history and exploration of Africa, in support of Heritage Day on September 24.

Partnering the book sale event will be Heart 104.9FM in line with their "show your heart" initiative. Heart 104.9FM presenter, Saskia Falken, will host her upcoming book club meeting at Col’Cacchio pizzeria Cavendish Square on Saturday, September 24. Gift Gwe from Idols season three will be this meeting’s special guest, and will be discussing his favourite books that have influenced his life.

To celebrate Muizenberg’s rich heritage and attract families to the rejuvenated beachfront, Safer Together are organising a Heritage Day family fun festival on Saturday September 24th

The Family Fun day is closely linked to the launch of an important new safety initiative, the Beach Buddies, which will take place on the same day. This project launched under the auspices of MIDS and MCSI, will bring a new era of safety and security to Muizenberg’s beachfront, by having well trained and informed "helpers" for visitors to the beach. Entry is free to the many fun events and activities on offer.

Steuart Pennington was recently asked to contribute to an article in the Columbia Journalism Review, which looks at positive news websites and publications from around the world. Here is an extract:

You can read the full article here