Local praised for making a difference
MIDRAND – Making A Difference South Africa co-founder was awarded Influential Man of the Year 2019 for his outstanding charity work.
The founder of a Midrand-based non-profit organisation has been awarded the title of Influential Man of the Year for the work he has done in local communities.
Chan Naidoo founded Making a Difference South Africa (Mad SA) with his wife Keshnee Naidoo. He was presented with the award on 3 November in recognition of the philanthropic work being undertaken by the organisation as it actively aims to create a better life for all and address some of the socio-economic challenges communities experience across the country.
Naidoo said he was humbled to receive the award but could not accept the award as an individual. “It is a recognition of the amazing work being done by Mad SA and is the acknowledgement of the generosity of our donors and support teams that work tirelessly to help disadvantaged communities.
“This, I believe, allows Making A Difference South Africa the chance to be recognised as a credible, transparent and accountable institution that brings meaningful change to our communities.”
Aside from his hard work and dedication to alleviate poverty in his community, Naidoo is a family-orientated, proudly South African Indian, with a strong sense of ubuntu. Naidoo said that experiences during his formative years, coupled with humble beginnings in Pietermaritzburg, sparked his passion for academia and philanthropy.
“Mad SA operated as a collective of family, friends and work colleagues who wanted to make a meaningful contribution to their community. In addition to the donor base and strategic partnerships, we have been established with various organisations to ensure maximum reach to beneficiaries.
“Mad SA seeks to make a material difference to the lives of vulnerable members of communities through the provision of humanitarian aid, education, development and health care support focusing on key programmes such as Easter, Mandela Day, Diwali and Christmas drive together with emergency relief efforts.”
Naidoo added that their additional projects included providing reusable sanitary pads to disadvantaged girl learners as well as the provision of shoes, socks and stationery to underprivileged schoolchildren. “Our vision for 2020 is to reach 7 000 learners with the provision of basic necessities and thereby tangibly changing the path of our country’s future leaders. By providing these basic necessities, a positive experience for these learners is created while at school thereby keeping them interested in the learning process without feeling marginalised due to their circumstances.”
Naidoo has also been nominated by Perumal Govender, the principal of Orient Heights Primary School, to receive the Presidential Order of Baobab for Community Service Award and for the Gauteng Premier’s Service Excellence Award.
Details: Chan Naidoo 083 787 9721; chan@makingadifferencesa.org.za
Related Article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/216019/non-profit-organisation-helps-local-community/
