Over the past decade, VOC has established community social investment projects throughout the year, but these projects are augmented in Ramadan – with the station running five projects this year. With an increased focus on charity and goodwill in Ramadan, the station has partnered with key stakeholders in giving back to communities and to further the social responsibility goals of the station and its corporate sponsors.

There is little doubt that the amount of charities and community projects generally increases during the sacred month, placing a greater need for the generosity of the general public.  For VOC, the objective is twofold: to show compassion and empathy to people who endure suffering and to strengthen individual God consciousness.

“Charity is one of the fundamental tenets that underpins the faith of all Muslims. But within our broadcasting footprint, we realise that the current socio-economic conditions necessitates that we do more. The giving of charity is not only mutually beneficial, but it is also increasingly essential in the current global environment,” says Hassiem Bastra, the manager of VOC’s projects.

VOC/Pick ‘n Pay Make a Difference

Over the past decade, VOC has partnered with Pick ‘n Pay for the Make A Difference campaign, one of the station’s most popular projects. This campaign calls on members of the public to nominate individuals or families, in desperate need of food and other essentials. These nominations are selected by a panel and letters are read live on air.

This year, the retailer aims to give away 500 give vouchers worth R500. Pick ‘n Pay will also donate 20 000 loaves of bread over Ramadan at various masajid.

This year, the campaign stated on the 16th May and will end on the 21st June. Community members can drop off their nominations at any Pick ‘n Pay store. VOC will broadcast live from Pick ‘n Pay stores every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm during Ramadan to hand over the vouchers to the beneficiaries on air.

Makro – Muslim Hands – VOC Fitrah campaign

This project is aimed at donating fitrah hampers to destitute families for the day of Eid. Fitrah is obligatory on all fasting Muslims and can be paid in the form of what is considered as staple foods of the community or in monetary terms to purchase the relevant items.

This year, Makro has made available collection points in-store, for shoppers to drop off their fitrah donations.

The campaign commenced on the 20th May and will conclude on the 22 June. VOC will conduct two outside broadcasts from Makro during the next few weeks.

The humanitarian agency Muslim Hands will take delivery of the goods at the final outside broadcast to make up fitrah parcels for distribution.

Charity in Motion

After a break for two years, VOC has revived its education project Charity in Motion with Teddy Govender, the dealer principal of Mercedes Benz Claremont. This will see the businessman run 12 kilometres every morning to the VOC studio in Salt River, for the duration of Ramadan. Govender will run 300 kilometres for the entire campaign.

This corporate social investment programme aims to raise funds for VOC’s Bursary Fund and the target is R300 000. The campaign started 22 May and will conclude on the 24th June.

The campaign will culminate at VOC’s outside broadcast at the Eid moon-sighting event with the last of the 300 kilometres. Claremont Mercedes will host the bursary handover for students in 2018.

VOC listeners can tune into the Breakfast Beat show for a daily update on Teddy’s progress at 7.30am.

VOC Ramadan Kiddies Project

The station’s more light-hearted project is one aimed at children – specifically those fasting for the first time.  During the month, kids between the ages of 5-12 are encouraged to write letters about their Ramadan experience, which will be read out by presenter Ayesha Laatoe. Children can drop off their letters at the station from 1 June to the 15 June. No late entries will be allowed.

The project aspires to teach children about the beauty of Ramadan and the importance of values such as giving, treating others with kindness and respect, and tolerance.

This year, Vangate Mall has jumped on board as the corporate sponsor and will donate 250 Buckets of Joy and Ramadan certificates. VOC will broadcast live from Vangate Mall for the conclusion of the project and host a special party after Ramadan for the young ones.

Ahlan Wa Sahlan

VOC’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan is the cornerstone of its outreach initiatives and remains steadfast more than two decades after it was first begun. The Ahlan Wa Sahlan community outreach aims to connect VOC with its listeners, through the recitation of Quran. Every Sunday over Ramadan, VOC staff and its structures will visit a masjid in an impoverished area to complete a khatam and to have iftaar with the residents.

VOC will broadcast live from the following masajid every Sunday after Asr:
Sunday 28th May – Masjidul Jumuah in Delft
Sunday 4th June – Masjid Allahu Akbar in Khayelitsha
Sunday 11th June – Masjidul Jumuah in Mitchells Plain
Sunday 18th June – Siddique masjid in Elsies River

For the fifth year, VOC is being supported by the Gift of the Givers, who will serve the food at the Ahlan Wa Sahlan event. VOC listeners are urged to contribute by donating essentials such as non-perishable food items, clothing in good condition, baby goods and blankets.

Donations can be dropped off at Gift of the Givers at 4 Arbeid Road (off Belgravia road) in Belthorn Estate or contact GOTG’s Gawa Sayed on 083 661 3035.

For any information on the above projects, contact The Voice of the Cape on 021 442 3500. Also follow our Facebook page for updates. VOC