Every July, South Africans are called on to donate their time and money towards good causes, in celebration of Nelson Mandela Month. A key concern is whether these donations are meeting real needs and going towards legitimate organisations. By choosing verified non-profits and initiatives to support, generous South Africans can avoid less scrupulous causes, and ensure they are making an actual impact on the lives of those in need.
“The first question to ask yourself when selecting a cause is whether it is servicing a real need. Instead of volunteering for an activity that will look good on your Instagram handle or give you an ego boost, ask whether the results of the volunteering will actually end up helping people, animals or the environment, in any real and meaningful way,” says Romy Heldsinger, CEO at South Africa’s largest volunteering platform, forgood.co.za.
Another common issue when it comes to giving back is charity fraud. Cybercrime is on the rise, and occasions like Mandela Month, which call for monetary donations via the internet, are being leveraged by scammers who have spotted an opportunity to capitalise on donors’ goodwill.
This can take the form of fake websites, convincing emails, and crowdfunding platforms. In some cases, these non-profits might be fully registered, but devote little of the money they raise to the programmes they promote, or the people they purport to be assisting.
“The impact of charity fraud is twofold – on the…
