Across South Africa, community organisations play a vital role in supporting families facing hunger, homelessness and unemployment. For many households, these organisations are not a “safety net” — they are often the only support system available.

For organisations like South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF), this work is both a responsibility and a trust. It is rooted in faith, compassion and the obligation to serve those in need with dignity.

Small Gains in the Fight Against Hunger

The Budget Speech delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on 25 February 2026 brings some modest relief for struggling families. The increase in the Child Support Grant and the expansion of VAT zero-rated food items will slightly ease household pressure.

But adult support grants remain frozen and food prices continue to rise. In communities like Mdantsane and Delft, many families still rely on community kitchens, food parcels and informal feeding schemes to survive.

SANZAF-supported programmes in these areas regularly see parents choosing between transport to work and buying groceries or between electricity and school lunches. These are daily realities that no budget line fully reflects.

Employment Support That Falls Short

Government employment programmes continue to rely on community organisations to create short-term work opportunities. These programmes help many people earn some income and gain experience.

However, the stipends are low and rarely sufficient to support a household. In areas like Soweto, young people participating in community projects often remain financially vulnerable despite being “employed”.

For many, these programmes are a stepping stone — but without further support, too many fall back into poverty.

Capacity Building Without Sustainable Funding

The budget recognises the importance of strengthening civil society organisations. Training in governance and financial management is valuable.

But what most organisations need is stable, long-term funding that reflects the true cost of service delivery. Without this, many are forced to rely heavily on donations to keep essential programmes running.

This creates constant financial pressure and limits the ability to plan for the future.

Homelessness: An Ongoing Emergency

For organisations working with homeless and displaced people, the budget offers little new support. Shelter subsidies remain low and there is no dedicated national fund for homelessness.

In communities such as Umlazi and Diepsloot, overcrowding, unemployment and the erosion of the nucleus family, continue to push people onto the streets.

While long-term housing projects are important, they move slowly. In the meantime, NPO-run shelters and community centres must respond to urgent needs — often with limited and uncertain funding.

Zakah: A Vital Supplement to Public Support

In this context, Zakah remains a crucial pillar of social protection.

Through Zakah, Muslims are able to directly support the poor, the indebted, the unemployed and those in distress — filling gaps that public funding cannot reach.

For SANZAF, Zakah is not only charity; it is a structured, accountable system of empowerment and a channel of mercy. It supports:

• Food security programmes
• Emergency relief
• Education and skills development
• Small enterprise support
• Family stabilisation initiatives

In many communities, Zakah-funded interventions make the difference between survival and collapse.

In Umlazi, Zakah helps sustain feeding schemes when government subsidies fall short.  In Manenberg, it helps young people access training and mentoring opportunities.

These are practical expressions of faith in action.

Building Resilience Together

Overall, the 2026 Budget offers incremental improvements, but no fundamental shift. Community organisations will continue to serve — often under immense pressure.

For SANZAF and its partners, this reinforces an important truth: sustainable social development requires partnership.

Government support, community leadership, private sector investment and faith-based giving must work together.

Zakah strengthens the social fabric. It complements public resources. It restores dignity. And it enables communities to move from dependence to resilience.

As South Africa faces ongoing economic and social challenges, SANZAF remains committed to ensuring that Zakah continues to be a source of hope, stability and transformation — one family, one community and one life at a time.

Written by Yasmina Francke, Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF).

The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) has been awarded the Cambridge Excellence Award for Zakat and Islamic Social Funds Management at the Cambridge Islamic Funds Awards (CIFA) 2026 ceremony held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, an international platform recognising best practice in Islamic finance and social impact.

The Cambridge Islamic Funds Awards, established by Cambridge IFA, recognise premier Islamic funds and institutions from around the world that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and consistent performance in Islamic and ethical finance. The awards aim to spotlight organisations that uphold the highest standards in governance, Shari’ah compliance and social impact.

SANZAF’s recognition places it among a distinguished group of global Islamic finance leaders and affirms its role as South Africa’s foremost Zakah institution.

On accepting the award, SANZAF Chief Executive Officer Yasmina Francke said:

“It is with deep humility and honour that SANZAF accepts the Excellence Award for Zakat and Islamic Social Funds Management from CIFA 2026. This recognition affirms our unwavering commitment to excellence in governance and to upholding the principles of Shari’ah in every aspect of Zakah management.”

She added that SANZAF’s vision of harnessing the power of Zakah extends beyond relief to creating long-term economic self-sufficiency:

“Our vision of making an impact through the power of Zakah reflects our dedication to strengthening and constantly improving our ability to serve South Africans. We are committed to always being a trusted, efficient and effective channel for Muslims to fulfil their Zakah obligations and for those in need to access the necessary enablers to economic self-sufficiency.”

The awards ceremony in Jeddah brought together leading Islamic finance practitioners, fund managers, scholars and institutions from across the globe. Cambridge IFA, the founding body of CIFA, is widely respected for its work in advancing Islamic finance through education, research, and industry engagement. Its mission is to celebrate excellence in Islamic and ethical funds, assets, and wealth management, while inspiring investors worldwide to recognise the value and impact of this growing sector.

For SANZAF, the recognition comes at a significant time as the organisation prepares for the month of Ramadan, when Zakah plays a central role in alleviating poverty and restoring dignity.

“The work entrusted to us is an Amanah, and we discharge it with integrity, accountability and care,” Francke said. “Our goal is always to manage and distribute Zakah in a manner that ultimately seeks the pleasure of our Creator.”

With a national footprint and programmes spanning humanitarian relief, education, youth mentorship, skills development, women empowerment and seasonal campaigns, SANZAF continues to set benchmarks for excellence in Islamic social finance.

As Ramadan approaches, the award serves as a powerful reassurance to donors that their Zakah is managed by an institution that is locally rooted, globally recognised and guided by Shari’ah principles.

In a time when women continue to face the dual burden of economic instability and social pressures, the South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) has taken a bold step to listen not just to statistics, but to the lived experiences of women themselves.

Amongst the many Women Empowerment initiatives that took place during Women’s Month, SANZAF conducted its first Women Empowerment Survey, engaging 119 women across major urban centres. The goal: to give women a voice and shape the next phase of SANZAF’s empowerment programmes through their insights. What emerged was clear South African women are calling for skills, mentorship, funding and sisterhood.

A Snapshot of Women’s Realities

With 62% of women seeing unemployment as their greatest challenge and 55% facing financial constraints, economic vulnerability remains widespread. Yet, these statistics also reflect resilience. 71% of respondents sought skills training and 59% mentorship, proving that women aren’t asking for handouts they’re asking for tools.

As one respondent expressed, “Provide training but pay a stipend for unemployed people to attend. We need to support all unemployed people, not just those from certain areas.”

The Heart of Empowerment: Community and Care

The survey also illuminated that empowerment isn’t just about jobs or training it’s about emotional and social wellbeing. Many respondents highlighted the need for psychosocial support and sisterhood hubs, spaces where women can connect, heal and grow.

From Listening to Action

SANZAF’s Women Empowerment framework is entering an exciting new phase, where the insights of this Survey are being integrated into the plans for the future. This framework will:

• Expand skills training and mentorship programmes that bridge learning with livelihood.
• Establish regional counselling and sisterhood hubs for psychosocial wellbeing.
• Create inclusive community networks that empower ordinary women to connect, collaborate and uplift one another.

SANZAF CEO, Yasmina Francke said the findings have inspired a strategic transformation in how the organisation designs and delivers programmes for women. “This survey is not just data it’s a voice. It tells us that empowerment must be redefined. Women don’t only want opportunities; they want access, mentorship and the emotional strength to thrive. SANZAF is now reimagining how we serve women from training and funding to wellness and sisterhood.”

Towards a More Inclusive Future

The survey findings go beyond data, they capture a powerful truth: that women’s empowerment is not a single event or workshop, but a continuous journey of growth, healing and opportunity.

As SANZAF continues to evolve, this survey marks the beginning of a broader transformation in how development organisations approach women’s issues not from a top-down perspective, but through partnership, empathy and inclusion.

Empowerment begins with listening. SANZAF has done just that and is ready to act.

SANZAF Releases 2025 Integrated Report: A Milestone Year of Growth, Impact and Vision.

The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) has released its 2025/1446 Integrated Report, marking a historic year defined by growth, visionary leadership and life-changing service to those in need.

Following the organisation’s 50th anniversary milestone, SANZAF entered the new financial year with renewed purpose and the results speak volumes. With an unprecedented R225 million in collections, reflecting a 20% year-on-year increase, SANZAF achieved the highest income in its history. This remarkable achievement enabled greater reach and deeper national impact across key areas such as education, welfare, development and food security.

“Through the Will of the Almighty, we exceeded expectations and reached more people than ever before,” said Yasmina Francke, CEO of SANZAF. “This success is not merely financial; it is spiritual. It demonstrates the unwavering trust our donors place in SANZAF to be the vehicle for their Zakah, Sadaqah and compassion.”

2025/1446: A Year of Tangible Impact

The 2025 Integrated Report showcases SANZAF’s wide-ranging programmes and the real-life outcomes achieved through donor generosity and community engagement. Highlights include:

• Over 78,000 families supported with monthly welfare assistance, helping ease the burden of rising poverty and cost-of-living pressures.
• Over R50 million channelled into education, including bursaries, vocational training and Islamic learning.
• Distribution of 1.4 million meals nationwide during Eid ul-Adha, produced through the Qurbani programme.
• Support provided to over 1,000 students engaged in Islamic studies and spiritual development.
• Construction of 240+ water wells in Zakah-eligible African communities, enhancing access to clean water.

Leadership with Vision and Purpose

As SANZAF closes one leadership chapter and begins another, the organisation extends heartfelt gratitude to outgoing National Chairperson Fayruz Mohamed, whose tenure saw the formalisation of SANZAF’s core values, and the successful launch of internal capacity-building initiatives such as Learn to Grow and Zakah Advocacy Training.

“SANZAF has grown into a globally respected organisation rooted in accountability, excellence, and faith,” said Fayruz Mohamed. “I leave this position deeply grateful, knowing SANZAF is poised for continued impact.”

Stepping into the role of National Chairperson is Moulana Mogamat Hassiem Cassiem, a SANZAF veteran with over 35 years of dedicated service. His leadership marks a return to SANZAF’s grassroots strength, blending experience with renewed commitment.

“It is with deep humility that I step into this role,” said Moulana Mogamat Hassiem Cassiem. “Our mission has always been clear, to uplift the Ummah through the power of Zakah and service. As we move forward, our focus will remain on integrity, Shariah compliance and community empowerment across every region of South Africa.”

Through these comprehensive efforts, SANZAF continues to fulfill its mission of creating a better future for those in need, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the principles of charity and community service.

Read the full Integrated Report: https://sanzaf.org.za/integratedreport2025/