Starfish Greathearts Foundation hosts first-ever charity high tea
A powerful gathering of local leaders and philanthropists at the Starfish Foundation's charity high tea raised hope and funds for South Africa's underprivileged children.
The Starfish Greathearts Foundation held its much-anticipated inaugural charity high tea on October 25 at Investec in Sandton, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of local business leaders, philanthropists, and community members dedicated to uplifting South Africa’s vulnerable children.
Read more: Afternoon High Tea

With an inspiring programme that began mid-morning, attendees enjoyed an elegant setting surrounded by like-minded advocates for change.
The event aimed to raise essential funds for the Starfish Greathearts Foundation’s impactful programmes, which focus on supporting children in early childhood development, health, nutrition, and social services.

These initiatives enable underprivileged children to access resources that foster their personal growth and provide a supportive foundation for future opportunities.
Poonam Dwarkaram, the foundation’s operations manager, shared heartfelt remarks with the audience. “At Starfish, we believe that every child deserves the chance to thrive, no matter their circumstances.”

She added that today’s gathering represented the power of community support, and the hope they can bring together.
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The high tea featured a distinguished lineup of speakers who brought fresh perspectives on the challenges and triumphs within vulnerable communities.

Among them were advocate Terry Killops, chairperson of the Starfish Greathearts Foundation, and Setlogane Manchidi, head of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) at Investec, who spoke passionately about the importance of corporate involvement in uplifting communities.
A highlight of the event was the inspiring story shared by Mpumelelo Mhlongo, a Paralympian, who left attendees moved and motivated by his resilience.

Social entrepreneur and philanthropist Edith Venter and consultant Linsey Sherman also shared insights on community responsibility, reflecting a shared commitment to creating positive change.
Funds raised from the charity high tea will go directly to Starfish’s initiatives, ensuring continued support for children in need across South Africa.

Attendees left the event encouraged by the shared stories of resilience and the tangible impact of their contributions.
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