-
SANZAF to distribute 50,000 Fitrah hampers this Ramadan, bringing hope and breaking the cycle of poverty for thousands
The South Africa National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) says the Fitrah Hampers Campaign remains an important component of the holy month of Ramadan, as it breaks the cycle of poverty.
This comes as the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close for Muslims countrywide.
This year, SANZAF will distribute 50 000 Fitrah Hampers, packed with essential food staples for the day of Eid to families in need.
SANZAF says the Fitrah Hampers Campaign is essential as many communities on the Cape Flats are economically challenged. The hampers are made possible through the obligatory Fitrah contributions, a compulsory tax for fasting individuals, that is used to prepare Eid meals for those affected by food insecurity.
#PODCAST Durban cleric outlines the significance of Haleem as a South African Ramadan staple #sabcnews #sabckzn @salpatel786
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) March 13, 2026
Over 30 000 of the Fitrah Hampers will be distributed across the Western Cape.
SANZAF CEO, Yasmina Francke, says the Western Cape is one of the provinces that has a huge challenge of food insecurity.
“We know that statistics tells us tht oover 10 million individuals don’t know where the next meal is going to come from. So we know we face with that and as much as SANZAF is an organisation focuses on both welfare and development in the sense that we want ling to plough the money into developing, educating, empowering individuals because that in itself os a way to break the cycle of poverty,” says Francke.
The packing of the hampers took place at the Bridgetown Mosque in Athlone, Cape Town. One of the volunteers, Saeed Abrahams, says he is happy to make a difference in the community.
#PODCAST Celebrity Chef #YaseenMowzer explains repurposing Ramadan leftovers into new tasty treats #sabcnews @salpatel786 #sabcnews
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) April 1, 2025
“So one of the best things of actually coming out in the community to assist is you actually get in touch with all of the people that’s assisting as well. So we are able to contribute to each other, especially for the youth because the youth is actually those who were actually raised by the community. And it’s a big benefit to actually have the youth to actually to the events. For example, tomorrow we might actually be the leaders. So it’s very important to get the youth involved and I do encourage the youth to come out and assist,” says Abrahams.
The Fitrah hampers are set to be distributed over the next few days to various communities across the Cape Flats, bringing hope and joy to thousands, especially the indigent. One of the recipients is 82-year-old Fatima Solomons from Bonteheuwel.
“There is no feeling that can describe how we feel; we are just grateful and thankful. You can’t really express the feeling because there are many people who have nothing. That is why we struggle to find the words to express ourselves,” says Solomons.
Moulana Munir Adams of the Aljaamia Uthmaania Mosque in Bonteheuwel, says the campaign helps those who are in dire need especially on the day of Eid.
“We are approaching the end of the month of Ramadan. As Muslims, we have an obligation as part of the fasting process and in maintaining the purity of our fast to pay what is referred to as Zakah. Zakah is an amount of money given for the purification of ourselves, both spiritually and in terms of our wealth. This obligation requires us to give a certain amount of money to deserving recipients who fall into specific categories of people who may not be financially able to enjoy the day of Eid in the same way as others,” says Adams.
Eid is expected to be celebrated, later in the week pending the sighting of the moon.
RELATED VIDEO | South Africans celebrate Eid
