The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities to rebuild and renew hope.
The Star Foundation embraced this spirit by offering a life-changing gift to a family living with disability. Through an act of kindness, we were privileged to assist a couple who endured hardship due to their disability, providing them with a R20,000 donation to help restore their financial stability.

On 11 December 2024, Lester Kiewit, host of Cape Talk’s Good Morning Cape Town, received an emotional call from Mpho from Mthatha, Eastern Cape. The radio show’s topic was safety in South Africa’s public transport system and Mpho’s story resonated with listeners. His experience highlighted the vulnerability of people with disabilities and the barriers they face daily.

A Story of Adversity
Mpho and his wife, Dibate, are both visually impaired and rely on e-hailing services for transportation. As recipients of SASSA grants, they have no choice but to go collect their grant physically. On the day they collected their grants in December, access control restrictions at the collection site prevented them from using any e-hailing service. They were directed to the local taxi rank, where they encountered an unimaginable ordeal.

At the taxi rank, their visual impairments left them vulnerable. Under the guise of assistance, they were misled to their taxi and robbed at gunpoint of their entire grant money, which is their only source of income. Shaken and destitute, they sought help from local authorities. However, they received limited support due to their inability to identify the assailants. This injustice left them with uncertainty about how they would make ends meet.

The Star Foundation Steps In
Moved by Mpho’s story, The Star Foundation recognized an opportunity to make a difference. Giving is not just an obligation for us but a privilege. On 18 December2024, Timothy Blatch, Project Manager at The Star Foundation, joined Lester Kiewit on Good Morning Cape Town to surprise Mpho live on air with incredible news.

The Foundation donated R20,000 to Mpho and Dibate, ensuring they could recover from the robbery and celebrate a special Christmas with their family. The emotional moment left listeners inspired, as Mpho expressed his gratitude during the segment. Listen here.

A Fresh Start for the New Year
The donation provided much-need relief for the couple. They used the funds to cover groceries, back-to-school supplies for their children, and other essentials. More importantly, they invested in their future by purchasing a stand where they plan to build a home for their family.

As we step into 2025, Mpho and Khanyisile’s story stands as a reminder of resilience and the impact of compassion. The Star Foundation is honoured to have played a part in helping this deserving family rebuild their lives and look forward to a brighter future.

Continuing Our Mission
In partnership with Primedia, Cape Talk and the Good Morning Cape Town team, The Star Foundation remains committed to uplifting individuals and families in need. Stories like Mpho’s fuel our mission to extend a helping hand to vulnerable communities, especially those living with disabilities.

As we move into 2025 and beyond, we are inspired to continue making a meaningful impact, one act of kindness at a time.