The Collen Mashawana Foundation will be hosting its 3rd Annual Christmas Support Program next month, a major charitable initiative aimed at supporting elderly citizens across the Limpopo province.
Scheduled for 14 December 2025 at Thoyandou Stadium, the event represents a significant logistical effort to assist 3,000 elderly persons drawn from 60 villages in the region.
According to the foundation, the primary objective of the program is to ensure that no elderly person or their family faces food insecurity during the festive season. To achieve this, the event will provide nourishing food hampers alongside a suite of other benefits, including essential services and medical care.
In a bid to offer a holistic experience of “collective growth” and dignity, the foundation has also arranged for personal pampering sessions for the attendees.
Thato Mokoena, Head of Projects & Events for the foundation, noted that the event begins at 11:00 AM. The organization has invited the media to help amplify this message of compassion and community support during the holidays.
A statement from the Foundation Said:
The Collen Mashawana Foundation is proud to host its Third Annual Christmas Support Program, a heartfelt initiative dedicated to supporting 3,000 elderly people from 60 villages across Limpopo. This year’s event will take place on 14 December 2025, starting at 11:00 AM at the Thoyandou Stadium.
This impactful program began three years ago with 1,500 elderly persons and grew to 3,000 in its second year due to the overwhelming need in rural communities. The demand remains high, and the foundation continues its mission to ensure that elderly individuals and their families do not face hunger or food insecurity during the festive season.
At the heart of this initiative is Dr. Collen Mashawana, whose vision for the program was inspired by his own humble upbringing. Growing up in a rural village and in a home with limited resources, Dr. Mashawana personally witnessed the hardships elderly people face — especially during the festive season when many go without proper meals or support. These early experiences shaped his compassion and deep commitment to ensuring that older persons are not forgotten, neglected, or left hungry at Christmas. Through the foundation, his vision has grown into a program that restores dignity, love, and hope to the elderly each year.
The Collen Mashawana Foundation believes that caring for the elderly is both a social responsibility and a spiritual calling — a way of doing God’s work by showing love, respect, and kindness to those who have paved the way for future generations. This program ensures that elderly individuals and their families can enjoy Christmas with joy, nourishment, and peace of mind.
Members of the public are encouraged to participate. Anyone wishing to support can adopt a family at a cost of R1,500 per family. Contributions of any form are welcomed, including donations, volunteering, or offering services to pamper and honour the elderly during the event.
For donations, partnerships, volunteering, or participation in any form, please contact:
Thato 073 874 8035 tato@collenmashawana.com
The Collen Mashawana Foundation welcomes all who share the vision of uplifting, honouring, and supporting elderly persons during this festive season.
The Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF) is a South African non-profit organization established in 2012 by Dr. Collen Tshifhiwa Mashawana, a businessman and the Executive Chairman of Afribiz Invest. The foundation operates with a mission to “restore hope and dignity” to the marginalized, driven by a philosophy of putting “God’s love into action”.
Dr. Collen Mashawana is a prominent figure in South African business and philanthropy. In recognition of his philanthropic efforts, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy by UNISA in 2024. Further highlighting his impact, he was nominated in early 2025 for the FIN-Forbes Best of Africa Business Excellence Award.
The foundation frequently collaborates with both government and private sector entities to execute its projects. Notable partners include the Department of Social Development, WesBank, Afribiz Invest, and the Independent Development Trust (IDT) (prior to the recent withdrawal).
Contact Information
- Website: collenmashawana.com
- Email: info@collenmashawana.com, tato@collenmashawana.com
- Phone (Head Office): +27 87 265 3255, 073 874 8035
- Head Office Address: 345 Rivonia Road, Rivonia, Sandton, 2128
