The 27th of June was a very special moment for Ikamva Labantu as they celebrated the 80th birthday of their founder Helen Leiberman. In honour of her birthday,Ikamva Labantu launched their Endowment Fund to make sure that the wonderful organisation had a solid future. An Online Auction and Virtual Zoom event was held to raise funds and people from all over the world participated with such generostiy by pledging, bidding and sending messages of support for Helen and her wonderful children and seniors in the townships. In order to donate, people were asked to light a birthday candle and pledge to the Ikamva Labantu endowment fund . As soon as the Auctioneer started, the pledges could not stop rolling in.. They ranged from R 80 to R1 million from South Africans and the overseas pledges grew fast as a family in New York challenged other families to donate in US Dollars matching his bid of up to R1 million. The results were phenomenal and the organisation has continued to receive even more after the event.
The auction which was part of the celebration fetched incredible prices as items such a Cartier Watch, a signed Pele shirt, a signed Roger Federer T-Shirt,and luxury holidays around the world and in South Africa raised hundreds of thousands of Rands.
For Joey Burke, the auctioneer and project coordinator for the event ,this was a record breaker and a tremendous success considering the times we are living in.
The new normal of Zoom and Virtual events are proving to be a huge success as people are now able to participate from overseas as well. This occasion attracted people from Italy, New York, Israel, Canada ,London and all around South Africa. Ikamva Labantu (Ikamva), meaning “Future of The People” works throughout Cape Town’s township communities with a focus on early childhood development (ECD), the wellbeing of older persons and after school initiatives that keep children safe and off the streets. Helen Lieberman made this happen despite all odds against her during the Apartheid times and forced restrictions . Her dedication, commitment and true passion has shone, and through Ikamva labantu her legacy will live on forever.

For the perfect Virtual Fundraiser and auction, contact Joey Burke on 082 998 1133, joeyb@joeyburke.co.za  or visit www.joeyburke.co.za and for first class event coordination and design contact Kathy on 083 454 3848 ,kathy@farmdesign.co.za  or visit www.eventdesign.co.za .