 launched a five-year In-School Breakfast Programme in the Hazyview district of Mpumalanga, with one clear purpose: to nourish young learners so they can learn, grow, and thrive.

Now at the halfway mark, the programme continues to create meaningful change for learners and the wider school community.

In 2024, an independent research study by the Food Evolution Research Laboratory at the University of Johannesburg assessed the programme’s early impact across eight participating schools. The findings confirmed improved learner concentration, energy levels, and overall wellbeing over time. Teachers also reported greater alertness and improved classroom participation — showing the value of a nutritious start to the day.

Beyond nutrition, the programme has also supported community upliftment. To date, 45 local community members have received accredited training and employment as Food Handlers and Food Monitors, with several going on to secure permanent jobs or further their studies.

With two years still ahead, we remain committed to deepening our impact and helping every child reach their full potential.

Three Years of  Impact

Week after week, some of South Africa’s most beloved celebrities stepped up to the podium to take on the Banker on 

 — and they didn’t just play for the thrill of it. They played for purpose.

This season, their courage and big energy turned into real impact for two incredible charities.

, helping children living with limb differences get the prosthetic support they need to walk, run and take on life with confidence.

, strengthening their programmes that help people rebuild their lives out of homelessness through recovery support, skills and long-term independence.

What made the season special wasn’t just the suspense, it was seeing how every brave choice on screen created a moment of possibility off screen.
A little fun. A little tension. And a whole lot of heart.

Our celebrities didn’t just entertain, they raised life-changing funds for two very worthy causes.

Watch this space for the next two new charities and the contestants who will be playing for them this year

A Season of Surprises and Impact

In a quiet suburb of Alberton, one home has become a haven of hope. Behind its doors, Lynn Tyack, founder of 

, has opened her heart and home to children in desperate need of care, stability, and love.

Since 2013, Lynn’s home has been a place of safety for 44 abandoned and abusedchildren, each finding comfort, protection, and belonging under her care. Some stayed for a few months, others for years and a few, forever. Among them were premature twins who thrived under her care until adoption, and a little girl with Down Syndrome and a serious heart condition, whom Lynn has fostered since she was six weeks old. She currently cares for six children, with a newborn arriving in January 2026.

Lynn’s journey is one of resilience, compassion, and faith. After losing her mother in 2013, she’s dedicated her life to creating a safe space for children who had nowhere else to go. “This calling fuelled my soul,” she says. “It gave me a sense of purpose and belonging where I had once felt emptiness.”

Every day brings challenges from meeting the emotional needs to ensuring they receive proper medical care, nutrition, and stability. Yet Lynn continues, driven by love and the belief that every child deserves a fair start in life.

Over the past three years, The Star Foundation has been honoured to support Lynn’s mission to restore dignity, safety, and hope for children who’ve faced unimaginable circumstances, ensuring she has the essentials needed to continue her vital work.

Lynn’s story reminds us that love given freely and consistently, can truly change lives.

A Heart for Every Child

For many children, the simple joy of running, playing, or walking to school is taken for granted. But for those living with limb loss, these everyday activities can feel out of reach. Through our partnership with 

 is helping to change that reality one step, one prosthetic, one child at a time.

In the first year, our collaboration supported 12 children through access to advanced prosthetic equipment and specialised care. Each child’s prosthesis is uniquely fitted to match their lifestyle and age, empowering them to move freely and participate in life just like their peers. What began as a monthly commitment of R50,000 per child has grown into a journey of transformation — not just for the children, but for their families, too.

Now, in our second year of support (March 2025 – February 2026), our commitment has deepened, ensuring ongoing maintenance, refitting’s, and full replacements as these children grow stronger and more active.

This partnership is more than an investment in mobility it’s an investment in dignity, independence, and future potential. Each prosthetic leg represents courage, innovation, and the power of collaboration to create lasting change.

Together with Jumping Kids, we’re not only helping children walk again — we’re helping them move confidently toward the future they deserve.

Jumping Kids

Across four radio stations and four incredible charities, 

 delivered unforgettable moments, life-changing wins, and waves of impact across South Africa.

What made this campaign truly special wasn’t just the excitement on air, but the difference it created off air. From 

, listeners tuned in, played along, and showed up with heart — with every entry supporting a charity making a meaningful difference in its community, turning festive fun into tangible support and lasting hope.

Together, we raised a total of R7,547,500.

Here’s how listeners rallied behind each cause:


Gauteng listeners helped extend the reach of one of South Africa’s most loved outreach initiatives, enabling urgent relief and everyday acts of kindness for families facing unexpected challenges.


On 947, support poured in for Save Seven and their Life Pod Project — advancing life-saving intervention for organ transplants and helping expand access to more provinces across South Africa.


In KZN, listeners showed up day after day to support The Big Favour, making it possible for the programme to continue helping people through some of life’s toughest moments.


In the Western Cape, listeners supported a charity that strengthens paediatric care across the country, helping ensure children have access to the medical support they need.

Listeners won big, but South Africa won even bigger by backing causes that uplift thousands of lives.

Thank you to every player, every partner, and every charity who helped make 

Santa's Stash 2025

In every classroom, behind every smile, there’s a story one of resilience, healing, and hope. This year, in the heart of Bonnievale, those stories found new beginnings through the care and compassion made possible by our partnership with 

Where once the ratio for state social workers stood at 1:23,000, it has now improved to 1:440, thanks to the dedication of local youth trained as Care Facilitators in Mental Health First Aid — all of whom graduated this year as Social Auxiliary Workers equipped with the skills to serve the very communities they come from.

Throughout the year, learners have grown in confidence and emotional awareness, educators have received vital support, and schools have embraced the message that mental wellbeing is the foundational pre-requisite for effective learning and thriving.

Through CK’s Care Programme, new opportunities were created for young women in the community to become Care Facilitators, working alongside Care Practitioners to offer vital support to learners and educators through their twinning model.

“CK means an incredible amount to our school and community. We can’t imagine what it was like without you. Thank you for knowing what to do and stepping in when we needed you the most.” 

“The work of Community Keepers is only possible with the wholehearted buy-in and support of our partner schools and funders. Thank you to The Star Foundation for your trust, time, and care. We value this partnership deeply and celebrate what we have achieved together for the wellbeing of learners and school communities.”

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect with deep gratitude on a year that has transformed the education journeys of over 3,000+ learners in the region. By bringing mental health support to 11 schools in the Bonnievale cluster, this year has been all about ensuring that every child now has access to a safe space and a trusted person to turn to every single day. Together, we’re building a legacy of care, dignity, and hope.

Community Keepers

This year, one of our proudest milestones has been the construction of a brand-new kitchen at Celani Primary School in Hazyview.

This project forms part of The Star Foundation’s five-year In-School Breakfast Programme in partnership with the 

 an ongoing campaign dedicated to improving nutrition, focus, and opportunity for learners across Mpumalanga.

The completed kitchen has created a safer, more efficient space for daily meal preparation — with a tiled interior, solid roofing, modern electrical fittings, and dedicated areas for cooking, cleaning, and storage.

Each morning, the kitchen comes alive with purpose, where breakfast is made with care and pride. For many learners, their first meal provides the support they need to begin each day with energy and focus.

Since the programme began in 2022, it has reached over 7,700 learners across eight primary schools in the Ehlanzeni District, serving more than 2.4 million meals to date.

New Kitchen, New Beginnings

Some days sparkle a little brighter and Tuesday, 30 September was one of them.

At the Conservatory in Rosebank, Market Day brought together three incredible organizations 

 for a celebration of creativity, courage, and community. The building buzzed with music, laughter, and the unmistakable energy of people doing what they love.

From the first dance steps and songs by Sally's workshop performers to a moving poetry reading, it was clear this day was something special. 

“From handwoven bags and original artwork to potted succulents, fresh vegetables, and sizzling hotdogs, every product reflected skill and pride. Through these micro-enterprises, Sally's workshop beneficiaries earn an income helping sustain the programme and support its daily operations. 

Little Eden and Bethany Home added their own magic, offering everything from homegrown pecan nuts to handmade laptop bags, salt scrubs. A reflection of the creativity and diversity of their beneficiaries.

Market Day gave participants the chance to put their skills into action selling their creations, building confidence, and gaining real-world experience in entrepreneurship. These Mico-enterprises will continue to grow beyond the day itself, marking a powerful beginning for sustainable opportunity. 

Stay tuned throughout November as we share more about each of these incredible organizations and the inspiring work they do.

At the Conservatory

R100,000 donation gives 14-year-old Felicity a chance at a pain-free, independent future

 contributed R100,000 towards the surgery of 14-year-old Felicity Ncube, who has been diagnosed with severe scoliosis – a painful curvature of the spine that threatens her mobility and independence.

Felicity’s journey is one of remarkable courage. Born without arms or legs and abandoned shortly after birth, she was taken in by 

, a place of safety and love for abandoned children. Despite her challenges, Felicity has learned to move around independently, hopping and using her wheelchair to navigate life with determination and joy.

Now facing a new obstacle, Felicity requires urgent spinal surgery to relieve pain and prevent her condition from worsening. Thanks to the generosity of compassionate doctors and medical professionals offering their services 

, and the support of caring partners, she will soon undergo a procedure that will transform her quality of life.

She dreams of becoming a motivational speaker one day, using her story to inspire others to rise above hardship and embrace hope. Her courage reminds us all that strength is not defined by circumstance, but by spirit.

Because every story of hope deserves a helping hand.

Empowering Felicity

The PureFlow Amanzi initiative is now being implemented in rural KwaZulu-Natal, delivering filters, WASH education, and life-changing access to safe water.

From Competition to Clean Water