There are numerous charities in Cape Town and Western Cape catering to different needs: child care, education, HIV, abuse, hunger, employment, animal welfare, healthcare, physical disabilities, human rights and others. They range from large national charities to tiny locally focused ones.

Conversely, there are numerous ways of getting involved.  You can join a club or society that supports charities, such as the International Women’s Club, Rotary or Lion’s Club (see our Clubs and Societies section). Alternatively, speak to the CSI (Corporate Social Investment) people in the company you/your spouse work for and join of their projects. Finally, check out Greater Good SA. This online platform brings together charities and givers. Here you can browse charities in your area, split by category and get in touch with the ones that you would like to support. You can also register as a giver (of time, money, skills or goods) so that charities can contact you.

Even if you do not have the time to get involved with a charity cause, you can still help. Numerous restaurants participate in Street Smart campaign collecting donations for organizations that work with street children. Look out for a Street Smart card on your table. When you shop, look out for Support My School sign. By signing up for My School card at your school, every time you shop at a number of shops (including Woolworth, Kalahari.net, ToysRUs and many others) or fuel your car at Engen, a percentage of money you spend goes to your school and this costs you absolutely nothing.

CAPETOWNEXPAT regularly features selected charities which we believe need more exposure with the expatriate community. Please consider helping them in any way you can. 

   Last updated: April 17, 2009