A hundred grannies were treated to breakfast and a shopping spree as part of the South African National Zakah Fund’s (Sanzaf) Mandela centenary celebrations and their Operation Winter Warmth (OWW).
The golden girls, from the southern suburbs, Cape Flats and northern suburbs, had breakfast at Lentegeur civic centre on Wednesday August 8.
They were then surprised with vouchers of R1 000 each and taken to shop for clothing and accessories.
Volunteers from Sanzaf offices in Retreat, Bridgetown and Mitchell’s Plain helped the grandmothers fit on clothes and ensure that they got their money’s worth.
The grandmothers were from Sanzaf’s database of those entitled to Zakah, which is a tax paid by Muslims to help those in need.
OWW is an annual national winter programme aimed at providing essential items to children, the aged and families in need. Many of the grandmothers said usually they would have had to spend money on their children or grandchildren but this time it was for them.
Most of them chose to buy essential items, like underwear and shoes, while some were just so excited to be able to splurge on handbags or scarves.