Sheikh Shaamiel Panday, born in 1964 in Port Elizabeth, was a highly respected figure in the Islamic community. From his early education to his involvement in various organizations, Sheikh Shaamiel dedicated his life to serving Islam and his community. He pursued higher education in Madinah and completed courses in Islamic studies. He played an active role in the Eastern Cape Islamic Congress and the South African National Zakah Fund. Sheikh Shaamiel's passion for Palestine led him to advocate for justice and support the cause. He was a valued member of the United Ulama Council of South Africa. His legacy is one of knowledge, piety, and dedication to Islam, leaving a profound impact on his community and beyond. Sheikh Shaamiel Panday passed away on May 30, 2023, leaving behind a void in the hearts of those who knew him, but his contributions and teachings will continue to inspire future generations.

May Allah SWT grant Sheikh a high place in Jannah and reward Sheikh for his efforts in serving humanity, Ameen.

The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) is pleased to announce its audited financial results for the year ended 31 March 2022/ 28 Shaban 1443.

SANZAF’s National Chairperson, Fayruz Mohamed, commented on what was a strong performing year as the organisation moved to a rebuilding phase in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are pleased to report that during the financial year 2021/2022, SANZAF performed strongly amidst the uncertainty of the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing us to deliver on our mandate as the longest serving Zakah management organisation in the country.  Grateful for a solid foundation built over many decades and the unwavering dedication of our team, we are able to move forward and make significant contributions to the lives we touch in our endeavours to uphold the 3rd pillar of Islam”, Mohamed said.

She also reflected on the organisation’s newly launched “BELIEVE” campaign and acknowledged the support of various stakeholders. “Significantly this past year, we presented a fitting proposition when we launched our BELIEVE campaign. Our many loyal contributors certainly brought to life the realisation that a strong belief can see us through the most difficult of times.  We thank all those who journeyed with us this past year as we reaffirm the belief that Allah SWT makes all things possible”.

SANZAF thanks its contributors for trusting the organisation with their different forms of giving, thereby allowing them to instil hope and make an impact in the lives of those battling the daily effects of poverty.

Some of the Key Points and Highlights of Activities are summarised as follows:

• Food security and youth development remained two key focus areas for the organisation
• Over 4000 students benefitted from SANZAF’s  Education, Empowerment and Development Programme which consists of bursaries, vocational training, early childhood development and mentorship initiatives at primary and secondary schools
• Over R30 million was invested in education and development
• Through large scale programmes in Ramadan, Winter and Qurbani, food relief of over R20 million reached many needy communities
• Assisting families with welfare relief continue to be a critical service that the organisation provide
• R36 million in welfare assistance was provided to over 30 000 beneficiaries
• R122 million Zakah disbursed through structured projects and programmes
• Close to R175 million distributed in total during the reporting period

View the latest SANZAF  Annual Audited Financial Statement for 2021/2022

See our Zakah Seminars and Webinar Dates and Times

Educating the public on Zakah remain one of our key responsibilities and focus areas. In this regard, SANZAF will continue to host various Zakah Advocacy initiatives in the month of Ramadan. Weekly Zakah seminars and webinars, Zakah shows on local radio, Q & A sessions on our social media platforms and the SANZAF MyZakah App, offer the public the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on the virtues and calculation of Zakah.

Our Zakah Seminars and Webinars will be as follows:

For more information contact us

• tax

What’s Going On?

The current financial year ends on 28 February 2022, which means tax payers only have a month to ensure they get a tax benefit from making a donation to an approved non-profit organisation.

How Do I Get a Tax Benefit from Making a Donation?

SANZAF is registered as a Section 18A Public Benefit Organisation (PBO number 930001714). As a result of this registration, SANZAF is authorized by SARS to issue its donors with a Section 18A tax certificate/receipt upon request. This will allow the donor to claim their donations as a tax deduction. In this way, as a donor, you are able to assist SANZAF help those displaced from their businesses and homes and also obtain a tax benefit in doing so. 

How does it work?

Donors can obtain a tax deduction (limited to 10% of their taxable income in a fiscal year) in respect of the total donations made to approved organisations such as SANZAF. In order to do so the donation has to be supported by a receipt from SANZAF.

As an example, if a donor earns R100 000 taxable income per annum and during that year had donated R10 000 to a PBO then the donor qualifies for a tax deduction of R10 000 from their total taxable income. This means that in this example, the donor would not have to pay tax on R100 000 (total taxable income for the year) but rather R90 000 (R100 000 – donation of R10 000) for that year.

What Do I Do?

1. Make a contribution to one of our many projects or programmes which change lives locally.
2. Then claim a Section 18A certificate by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or ticking the Section 18A box on our online donation form.
3. One of our dedicated staff from the accounts department will be sure to send you your section 18A certificate.
4. This can be used when filing your tax return to claim your deduction as a tax benefit

Remember only contributions made to local causes and projects qualify as a tax deduction, any gratuitous cash or in kind donation made to SANZAF for the undertaking of qualifying public benefit activities within South Africa can be claimed as an income tax deduction by the donor.  Donations to an organisation that uses the money for a cause outside of Africa do not qualify for a Section 18A certificate. Your contribution must have been made in the current financial year to qualify as a deduction on upcoming tax return.

What Does This Mean?

Not only are you able to assist SANZAF to #GiveHope but also claim a tax benefit for your contributions!

Read More at http://www.sars.gov.za/ClientSegments/Businesses/TEO/Pages/default.aspx

Launch of corporate governance code for Muslim NPO’s breaks new ground in South Africa
A ground-breaking Corporate Governance Code for Muslim NPOs was officially launched during a webinar held on the 31st October 2021.

Jointly sponsored by the Association of Muslim Accountants and Lawyers (AMAL), AWQAF SA, the South African Zakah Fund (SANZAF) and the United Ulema Council of South Africa (UUCSA), the aim was to launch a code that would enhance and empower local NPOs in terms of effective governance principles.

With representatives of the sponsors and experts in governance contributing to a lively panel discussion, Corporate Governance was defined in the Code as “the exercise of ethical and effective leadership by a governing body towards the achievement of an ethical culture, good performance, effective control and legitimacy”.

According to Zeinoul Abedien Cajee, CEO of AWQAF SA, lead organizer and sponsor of the code, the objective is to promote effective governance in Islamic NPO’s. This to ensure that our organisations be run in an exemplary fashion in accordance with the Shari’ah, the tenets of Sacred Law, and in compliance with the laws of the land.
The webinar suggested that the code be applicable to all Islamic NPO’s, but that it should be voluntary, and not mandatory.

This was because the practices recommended in the code might not be suitable, or an appropriate fit, for all organisations. Practices had to be adapted and scaled in accordance with the size, complexity and legal environment within which the organisation operated, as well as the organisation’s impact on society and the environment.

However, NPO’s should aspire to align their constitutions with the governance principles and practices described in the code.
The panel said that the benefits that would be derived from implementing good governance practices in an NPO would include the satisfaction of their Creator, added credibility, an enhanced reputation and more trusting stakeholders.
Other positive bonuses would be improved performance, effective service delivery and the achievement of set objectives. This would lead to an easier access for funding and grants, and would see loans granted on better terms. The win-win would be a far more ethical and accountable culture.

Suleman Badat, coordinator and champion of the Corporate Governance Code, said that the key aspects of successful governance was ethical and effective leadership – and that the over-riding principle of the right leadership doing the right thing in the right way, applied not only to Muslim NPO’s, but to all organisations.
The Corporate Governance Code may be downloaded from the Awqaf SA website at: https://awqafsa.org.za/corporategovernance/

Links:
Webinar video: https://youtu.be/_0nT6udwtCQ
Awqaf SA Website: https://awqafsa.org.za/corporategovernancecode/

View latest response IWM Response 7 October 2021

View IWM Response October 2021