The Amanzimtoti branch of the SPCA was recently presented with a new R367 000 bakkie after recently losing both its vehicles, one to theft and the other through a hijacking incident which had severely compromised the critical role it plays in animal welfare, including preventing cruelty, providing free vaccinations, parasite treatment and organising sterilisation outreach programmes.
The vehicle donation was made by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT), whose representative, Mr Gaff Osman, said: “Without a vehicle, the SPCA’s ability to deliver essential services and reach impoverished communities in across the vast area it serves was severely hampered.”
“Upon learning of the organisation’s predicament, we, of the SAMCT, were pleased to be able to put them on the road again, ensuring their ability to continue providing support for animals and the community the SPCA serves.”
The Amanzimtoti SPCA is a small animal welfare society covering an extremely large area, stretching from the Umlaas Canal in the north to the border of Hibberdene in the South and some 100kms inland. Its core function is to prevent cruelty to animals and to prevent pain and suffering, whilst also identifying impoverished areas and assisting people with their animals.
Mr Osman stressed: “The SPCA conducts crucial animal welfare work, but without transport its operations are rendered powerless. Vehicles are imperative to the services this organisation, which does not receive any Government grants, it offers the public. It is reliant solely on the generosity of donors, fundraising events and sales from its charity shops to operate.”
The SAMCT was created in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds.
The organisation provides funding, services and other resources to improve the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has successfully delivered sizeable assistance solutions throughout South Africa – irrespective of race or religion – and continues to work to support needy organisations in the fields of healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation and education.
“Given that the organisation’s finances are unable to stretch to large capital expenditure outlays necessary for the purchase of a vehicle, the SAMCT was privileged to be in a position to assist the SPCA in Amanzimtoti, affording them the means to again undertake their invaluable work in the name of animal welfare,” Mr Osman said.
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For more information about the SAMCT or its Amanzimtoti SPCA vehicle donation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za
www.samct.co.za