The Moti Cares Foundation’s selection as a finalist for the 2026 CSI Legacy Awards marks a significant moment for an organisation shaped by more than two decades of heartfelt service. Rooted in the values of compassion, responsibility, and ubuntu, the Foundation has become a dependable lifeline for vulnerable communities across South Africa. Its founder, Zunaid Moti, remains the driving force behind this legacy of giving. His deep personal commitment to supporting families facing hardship has guided the organisation’s ethos since its establishment in 2000. Whether responding to floods, fires, poverty, or social instability, he believes steadfastly that no person should be forgotten, and that even the simplest act of kindness has the power to restore dignity and hope.
The Foundation’s recognition at the CSI Legacy Awards comes specifically for its entry into the Best Corporate Category, where it showcased its flagship Winter Blanket and Food Drive. This annual initiative has become one of the most impactful winter outreach programmes in the country, offering warmth, nourishment, and comfort to thousands who would otherwise face the cold season without adequate protection. What distinguishes this programme is not only its scale but the personal, hands-on approach that defines each delivery. Volunteers and partners physically bring the blankets and food parcels into communities, ensuring that support is felt directly and meaningfully.
In 2025, the Blanket and Food Drive achieved one of its most far-reaching impacts yet. More than 20,300 blankets were distributed, accompanied by 12,600 loaves of bread, 2,200 ten-kilogram bags of rice, 2,200 five-kilogram bags of dhall, and 8,720 sweet packets. These items reached communities across Gauteng and beyond, extending as far as flood-stricken families in the Eastern Cape. Major handovers included a delivery of 3,500 blankets to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, contributions to Rahima Moosa Hospital, support for Alexandra’s Teddy Foundation, and participation in the widely supported 947 campaign. Each blanket, loaf of bread, and packet of sweets served as a reminder that no household should face winter alone.
Moti Cares’ work is anchored in the belief that essential resources such as food and warmth are not luxuries but fundamental needs that uphold a person’s dignity. The Blanket Drive was created in direct response to witnessing children and families enduring winter nights without even the most basic form of protection. It addresses not only the immediate challenges of cold weather but the deeper issues of poverty, homelessness, and the inadequate living conditions experienced by many. Zunaid Moti often reflects on the profound difference a single blanket can make. To some, it is merely fabric, but to someone facing the winter chill without shelter or support, it represents safety, comfort, and the knowledge that they have not been forgotten.
Moments from the 2025 drive that remain particularly memorable include the visible relief on the faces of elderly residents, the gratitude expressed by families navigating severe hardship, and the joy of children receiving sweet treats that brightened their winter days. Working alongside community partners who mobilised quickly and effectively further demonstrated the strength of collective care. The scale and coordination of the initiative ultimately delivered enough food for well over 500,000 meals—an achievement that underlines what is possible when compassion is paired with action.
Being recognised as a finalist for the 2026 CSI Legacy Awards is more than an accolade for the Moti Cares Foundation; it is an affirmation of the organisation’s enduring mission. It highlights the importance of programmes that address real human needs with empathy and perseverance. For Zunaid Moti, the honour serves as a reminder that impactful change does not always require grand gestures—sometimes, it begins with the simple promise of warmth on a cold night.
Leave a Reply