The Imbumba Foundation's Richard Mabaso presents Independent Media's CSI Project Manager and Coordinator, Sameera Kareem, with a partnership certificate of appreciation.
Image: SIBONELO NGCOBO
The Imbumba Foundation, a non-profit organisation, hosted an appreciation event last week at Kingsmead Hollywoodbets Cricket Stadium to recognise entities that have contributed to its mission of driving social change and economic upliftment in rural and marginalised communities.
The foundation also staged its Trek4Mandela 2026 launch at the event, which is an annual initiative where participants climb Mount Kilimanjaro on Mandela Day (July 18) and Women's Day (August 9) to raise funds and awareness for their Caring4Girls program,.
Among the beneficiaries was the Daily News Milk Fund, which received a certificate of appreciation from the foundation’s founder, Richard Mabaso.
“We always ask people to give, and once they do, it is important to appreciate them,” Mabaso said.
He emphasised that the foundation’s primary focus is community empowerment through a variety of initiatives. “We respond to disasters and provide meals and food parcels. We have supported over 60,000 families in KwaZulu-Natal. Across other provinces, we have assisted more than 100,000 families,” he added.
Looking ahead, Mabaso highlighted the foundation’s ongoing Caring for Girls campaign, which aims to supply sanitary pads to schoolgirls in need. He also announced the launch of an event in the Bahamas on May 29, which coincides with Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Sameera Kareem, Independent Media’s CSI Project Manager and Coordinator, acknowledged the long-standing partnership between the media group and the Imbumba Foundation.
“For years, the Imbumba Foundation and Independent Media have walked a shared path through editorial channels. We have long admired the journey from the sidelines. However, as our mutual respect deepened, we realised that our synergy belonged at the forefront of direct transformative impact,” Kareem said.
She noted that the relationship has since evolved into a dedicated media partnership supporting transformative community initiatives. Kareem also highlighted the Daily News Milk Fund, one of Independent Media’s oldest charitable programs, which has been running for more than 80 years.
“We support over 100 beneficiaries, ranging from schools to crèches. While we provide vital nutrition in the form of porridge and milk, we also assess other needs of these institutions and try our best to fulfil them,” she said.
The event underscored the critical role of partnerships in promoting sustainable social development and improving the lives of families across South Africa.
DAILY NEWS
South Africa - KZN 27 February 2026. At the Imbumba Foundation's Trek4Mandela 2026 launch and appreciation event were: Inkosi Victoria Dube, Ndlunkulu Nozipho Molefe and Ndlunkulu Thabisile Zulu.
Image: SIBONELO NGCOBO
At the Imbumba Foundation's Trek4Mandela launch and appreciation event were Niroshma Chetty and Richard Chetty.
Image: SIBONELO NGCOBO
At the Imbumba Foundation's Trek4Mandela launch and appreciation event were Sue Naidoo, Rajen Naidoo, Dayan Naidu, Joyce Gounden, Navashen Govender and Nirisha Govender.
Image: SIBONELO NGCOBO