If you make it to the end of this opinion piece and understand what you’ve read, consider yourself lucky. Every day thousands of children across South Africa learn to read. But thousands also struggle to understand the content of what they’re reading because books are few and far between, teachers are not able to give them individual attention because classes...
Teachers and children at the historic Crown Mines Primary School gathered at their local library on Monday for a special National Book Week reading with accomplished local author, Stacey Fru. Fru’s success isn’t due only to having three of her books published by the age of eleven, but for being Africa’s youngest published author at age seven. The...
The shock announcement a month ago that the unemployment rate has risen by 0.5% to 27.2% in the second quarter of this year has added further weight to the necessity of short- and medium-term job creation efforts. President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to this at an ANC lekgotla, announcing that the ruling party will...
The Relate Trust and explorer extraordinaire, Kingsley Holgate, marked the start of what would have been Nelson Mandela’s centenary year in Nyanga today by rewarding the remarkable elderly men and women who are the workforce of the Relate Trust. The seniors thread the Relate Trust’s thousands of beaded bracelets for worthwhile causes, which involves a...
A recent report revealed some worrying findings regarding the state of literacy in South Africa: 78% of South African Grade 4 children were not able to reach the lowest benchmark, compared to 4% internationally. Our country, in fact, placed last in the study which assessed nearly 320 000 children in 50 countries - including 12 810 Grade Four learners across 293 South...
Koketso Sachane speaks to Hlubi Mboya, Ambassador for Nelson Mandela Library Projects on How access to books is helping kids. To support this cause, buy Mandela Centenary Relate bracelets online here. Individual bracelets will soon be available soon from Woolworths stores nationwide and select Made In SA, Tiger's Eye and Out of Africa...
Arguably the most admired citizen the world has ever seen, Nelson Mandela, affectionately known as Madiba, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on the 18 July 2018. In partnership with the ‘Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom Foundation’ (LWTF), the Relate Trust has launched a Mandela Centenary Relate bracelet to raise awareness and connect all of...
Malaria is still one of the world’s most devastating diseases, killing over 400,000 people a year, the majority of whom are children under five and pregnant women. Since 2000, when the world committed to protect millions of people from preventable and treatable diseases, significant investment, strong political leadership and the development and distribution of new...
An initiative with a vision to raise R100 million towards job creation and literacy was announced on Thursday in Johannesburg. Nelson Mandela’s granddaughters, HRH Princess Zaziwe Manaway and HRH Princess Swati Dlamini-Mandela of the Mandela Royal House, joined Relate Trust to launch the Mandela Centenary Relate bracelet. The bracelet pays tribute to the notion...
Position: Sales Account Executive Department: Sales Geographic Location: Cape Town Reports to: Sales Manager SCOPE The Sales Account Executive is responsible for the management, growth and retention of small business customers – individuals and assigned SME’s as well as support for the overall sales process at Relate. The scope of the position...
In a nail-biting finish, the Proteas rose to the PinkDay challenge by maintaining their unbeaten in pink, winning streak at the recent One-Day International (ODI) against India at the Wanderers on Saturday, February 10, 2018. Adding to the success of the day and beating previous fund-raising efforts by almost triple, R1.7 million was raised for new...
Next time you're in a Trappers store, look out for a special beaded bracelet made by the Relate Trust. The trust works in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) to aid Conservation in Action. The majority of the revenue derived from sales of the bracelets is donated to EWT, supporting its wild dog, cheetah and birds of prey projects. For example, the...
WHAT an awesome day it was at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday, February 10, for the MomentumODI #PinkDay day/night match between South Africa and India. The entertainment was thrilling to say the least, what with all the boundaries struck and the ups and downs of the two teams! And what a sight the massive Wanderers Stadium was – and all in pink!...
The week of love is upon us and this has most of us falling into one of two camps: You either love all the red roses and candlelit dinners or you want to rip up every teddy bear with a heart in the middle of it. But if we look at the true meaning of Valentine’s Day – showing those closest to you that you really care – it’s a day we can all...
Expresso Morning Show featured the groundbreaking Mom's Milk on the Move (MoM) Project that aims to increase survival rates of premature babies by facilitating access to much needed breast milk. The initiative was launched on 16 November 2017 at Groote Schuur Hospital and is the first of its kind in South Africa. The MoM Project enables mothers to get...
Excitement is building ahead of the Momentum One Day International PinkDay cricket match, which takes place on 10 February – and renowned South African designer David Tlale will be joining the players on the field this year, but not in the way you might expect. Fashion icon David Tlale has specially designed a bespoke PinkDay 2018 bracelet, made by the Relate...
Tragically, 130 million girls globally are not in school. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, up to 28 million girls do not attend school. This is why a new campaign from ONE, an advocacy organization of eight million members, is saying that “poverty is sexist”. And they’re shouting it from the rooftops because the world will not be able to beat extreme...
We’re thrilled to be launching the Relate Trust’s first handmade Christmas decorations. These beaded ornaments, like all Relate products, raise funds for charity and create jobs for people in low income communities. There are five variations available that will steal your heart and fill your tree with festive spirit: a Father Christmas, a gold star, a...
A new service called Mom's Milk on the Move (MoM) — aimed at helping poor mothers feed their premature babies — was launched at Groote Schuur Hospital on Thursday. The launch was held in conjunction with World Prematurity Day, which marks a global movement to raise awareness of preterm birth and the health concerns of preterm babies that was celebrated on...
A groundbreaking project that aims to increase survival rates of premature babies by facilitating access to much needed breastmilk is launching in Cape Town at Groote Schuur hospital on November 16. The project is the first of its kind in South Africa, enabling mothers to get breastmilk to their little ones in hospital - particularly premature babies, for whom...
Company: Relate Trust Job Position: Production / Operations Manager Geographic Location: Cape Town Reports to: CEO SCOPE The production manager interacts with, relies upon and co-operates with other staff in other departments at all levels of the organisation as well as the company’s suppliers. The production...
Some hard-core Cape Town bikers showed off their softer side to help premature babies on Saturday, November 4. Starting at Harley-Davidson Tygervalley, at least 50 bikers took to the roads to pick up and deliver hundreds of CONSOL Jars destined for a very special purpose. The jars were collected from Groote Schuur hospital. From there the riders...
When famed Cape Town poet and novelist, James Matthews, was a young boy, he wrote a composition that his teacher so loved, she gave him 21/20 for it. Matthews came from a poor background. His father was illiterate and their home had no shelves stacked with books. But chance encounters – the teacher who saw his skills with the written word and the journalist who...
Vital stats Who? Neil Robinson Company: Relate Bracelets Position: Managing Director Visit: www.relate.org.za Neil Robinson, MD of Relate Bracelets understands the importance of business relationships. While Relate is a non-profit organisation, it is run like a business. It does not rely on donors, but instead...
The big ‘C’ has never really been a major issue in my life. It never really hit close to home – until it did. Within the space of two years, it reared its ugly head – twice. First a very close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2014. I hadn’t heard from Kass in a while. But we’re like that, we have been friends...
Once upon a time, in a Toy Kingdom store not so far away, lived an incredible initiative worth supporting over the festive season. As any good fairytale will teach you, sometimes people just need a little help to set them on their way. South African social enterprise The Relate Trust has partnered with retailer Toy Kingdom and non-profit organisation The Grace Factory...
As we continue to share profiles of breast cancer survivors and others affected by breast cancer in the lead up to October, our next #faceofbreastcancer is Moipone Sibiya. Moipone Sibiya is a community educator in the Vaal Triangle who facilitates breast cancer patients in surrounding areas, including Emfuleni, Sedibeng and Midvaal. In 2003, at just 26...
Cape Town – This 2-year-old sneaking popcorn right from under Prince Harry’s nose is all of us ever! When a toddler is hungry nothing can stop them from getting hold of a snack, even if it means stealing a bite from a British prince. That’s what happened to little Emily Henson – the daughter of British Paralympian Dave Henson - when sitting on...
Pearl Makhalemele is a breast cancer counselor from Soweto, Gauteng and the #FaceofBreastCancer. Sixteen years ago, Pearl was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I had pain in my left breast and went to my GP, who referred me to a surgical specialist. I had all the tests done; the final results indicated breast cancer. I had surgery, six chemotherapy sessions and...
Ntokozo Dludla is an avid palliative care worker and counselor, who strives to make sure breast cancer patients get the best care possible. She is the #FaceOfBreastCancer. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Ntokozo knows that cancer can be dark and gloomy, but believes there is always light at the end of the tunnel: “My work is about supporting people to live...
Having already raised millions of Rands for charities and social upliftment, the Cape Union Mart Group is hard at work on its next goal – R3 million through the sale of simple beaded bracelets. The bracelets are made by disadvantaged pensioners and youths – an initiative driven by 100% not-for-profit social enterprise the Relate Trust. The money will be...
While she is not a breast cancer survivor herself, our next #FaceOfBreastCancer is Karen Venter who spends her days taking care of accounts and administration for the Breast Health Foundation. “I enjoy the environment and it’s wonderful to see the difference my colleagues make in people’s lives,” says Karen, having worked for the organisation...
This is Boitumelo Masilo, a breast cancer survivor since 2013, now a breast cancer counselor, and the #FaceofBreastCancer . Boitumelo, 43, travels throughout the region of Sebokeng in the Vaal Triangle to help with early detection of breast cancer. “It’s tough for women to hear they have breast cancer, they often cry and don’t want to accept it. But...
Louise Turner is the COO of the Breast Health Foundation and the #FaceofBreastCancer. Louise, now 48 was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago. At the time, a whole different world opened up for her. “I met the most amazing people because of breast cancer,” she says, adding that she finds her job with Breast Health Foundation very satisfying....
While we may know we should check our breasts for lumps regularly, it is sometimes easy to let the time pass by and forget this simple task. For many, it is easy to think “it won’t happen to me”. But breast cancer can affect anyone – men and women, young and old. Comedy star Julia Louis-Dreyfus became the most recent celebrity to reveal that...
When Mpumi Nobiva started SPG for Millennial, she wanted to create a forum to nurture youth talent and leadership by bringing likeminded people around the table to discuss and find lasting solutions to contemporary challenges. SPG brings together people who are accomplished in their respective fields to tell their stories, particularly how they picked themselves...
A day that will be remembered as The Battle of My 67 Beads. The battleground: the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The warriors, nimble-fingered and determined to show no mercy…for a good cause. The Beading Gogos and Tatas were back in full force for the Relate Trust’s fourth annual beading challenge ahead of Mandela Day. This year, the contest...
Mandela Relate bracelets provide funding for the Nelson Mandela School Library Project to refurbish, stock, and donate container libraries to underprivileged schools across South Africa, benefitting thousands of children and community members. Not only are these bracelets helping to give the gift of literacy to underprivileged children, they’re also helping the...
Every year, the Relate Trust hosts an event to honour South Africa’s senior citizens ahead of Mandela Day. And each year, the Gogos and Tatas that work with the Relate Trust participate in a challenge. They tackled the Stormers in 2014 and thrashed them on their home turf. Next, in 2015, the elderly men and women took on a group of celebrities and won the...
Handmade beaded bracelets are helping to save the endangered African penguin. The initiative is a partnership between non-profit social enterprise the Relate Trust, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) and retailer Woolworths. The bracelets in support of SANCCOB, a non-profit seabird conservation organisation, are available...
Friday is not just the start of a long weekend, but a day honouring the youth of South Africa on the anniversary of the start of the Soweto uprising on June 16, 1976. However, more than 40 years on, South Africa’s education system is still failing many youth – with a youth unemployment rate of more than 50% at the end of 2016. “The youth unemployment...
Who better to develop university fee crowdfunding, on demand tutoring and on campus pregnancy testing than students themselves? How UCT Upstarts develops young, innovative thinkers into agents of social change "Upstarts is a bit of a quiet revolution happening at UCT. We're getting out of the classroom, we're getting students to think about real issues and what they can...
Cape-based social enterprise, The Relate Trust recently had the opportunity to host a team of students from Harvard Business School (HBS) in Cape Town for one week as part of a required first-year course at HBS called the FIELD Global Immersion. Relate was one of 157 FIELD Global Partners spanning 14 countries around the world. Together these Global Partners hosted more...
Lots of little, can make a big difference. This is the philosophy of 100% not-for-profit social enterprise The Relate Trust, which sells handmade beaded bracelets to make money for charities globally - while creating hundreds of jobs for the underprivileged. The organisation is currently featured in Nedbank’s “See Money Differently” brand repositioning...
We often get asked where to buy individual Relate bracelets, so we’ve compiled a list of our partner retail stores along with some information on the wonderful beneficiaries that they support.* In addition to raising funds for worthy causes the purchase of any Relate bracelet also provides funds towards creating jobs and upskilling opportunities for our local...
Meghan Markle, 35, and Prince Harry, 32, are pretty serious now – attending Pippa Middleton’s wedding together this weekend. It was almost a year ago that the pair met, in June 2016, and they seem to have been caught up in a whirlwind romance ever since. The Suits actress and the fifth in line to the British throne, are even said to be moving into...
Cape Town - Could a local Relate charity bracelet be the “love token” that brought Prince Harry and Suits actress Meghan Markle together? The British royal has long made headlines for his love life, but it was a pair of South African beaded bracelets that may have brought him a real love connection. When news broke of the couple’s...
1- million bracelets sold and $1- million raised for malaria elimination initiatives. We can show the world that Africa can solve its own problems without a “begging bowl mentality” – and that we have a creative, African solution to one of Africa’s biggest problems, malaria. Meet Goodbye Malaria, a...
We can show the world that Africa can solve its own problems without a “begging bowl mentality” – and that we have a creative, African solution to one of Africa’s biggest problems, malaria. Meet Goodbye Malaria, a social benefit organisation that brings energy, passion, creativity and world-class partners to priority programmes in Mozambique. One...
Today, on World Malaria Day, Goodbye Malaria is celebrating the recent sale of its one millionth Relate bracelet, raising a total of $1million to directly to aid malaria elimination initiatives in Africa, whilst empowering South African communities through Relate's enterprise development initiatives through the employment of previously disadvantaged persons. A...
Tuesday 25 April is World Malaria Day, but working towards eliminating malaria is a tireless, year-round job for many organisations and individuals across the globe. Over the last eight years, South African-based social enterprise Relate Bracelets has sold 1 million beaded bracelets (and still counting) for malaria causes, contributing nearly£900 000 to the...
A South African born initiative has recently sold its 1-millionth bracelet – meaning they have raised $1million for malaria elimination initiatives. Goodbye Malaria is an initiative started by African entrepreneurs who believe that African creativity can solve one of Africa’s biggest problems. The initiative helps to raises funds that go...
Unemployment is rife but some youth are still hopeful, believing there are a lot of opportunities for them in the business world. One of these optimists is Recardo Swail (27) from Grassy Park who has been given an opportunity to do his delivery business on a scooter. Relate Bracelets has partnered with Scully scooters to enable three young South Africans to start, and...
South Africa has a massive housing crisis! There is an immense need for housing in South Africa, with over 1.9 million informal dwellings in the country. Most of these homes are poverty stricken and when faced with excessive rain or the spread of fire they loose everything. The creation of formal housing is more important than ever! Habitat for Humanity is...
Relate Bracelets has partnered with SCULLY SCOOTERS to enable three young South Africans to start, and run, their own small businesses. Relate is a 100% not-for profit social enterprise, which sells handmade beaded bracelets to raise money for charities while creating jobs. SCULLY SCOOTERS’ vision is to “get South Africa moving”, one scooter –...
A new Relate bracelet in support of Habitat for Humanity is available from selected Woolworths stores nationwide. These handmade bracelets will be sold for R39.95 each to raise money for Habitat for Humanity SA’s work in building communities across South Africa. You can become a part of the solution, turning the tide on poverty in South Africa...
The current drought may have brought water scarcity into the spotlight, but in truth, South Africa has been in crisis a lot longer. Clean and safe drinking water is still inaccessible to millions of South Africans. This World Water Day, on Wednesday 22 March, the Rotary SafeWater Project will be installing two community water filtration units and 30 household units at...
DATA GOVERNANCE IS MORE THAN THE MANAGEMENT OF DATA AND FRAMEWORKS, IT ALSO INCLUDES ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPLIANCE. According to The Data Governance Institute, data governance can be defined as the exercise of decision making and authority for data related matters and it includes a 'system of rights and accountabilities for information related...
Sorbet is selling these chunky, hunky bracelets as a fundraiser to help qualify 170 women as nail technicians. The limited edition Relate bracelets are the ideal accessory for the man in your life. Available in small, medium, and large at Sorbet Man stores nationwide, for R55 each. This article was first published in Get It (Joburg East) on 1 March 2017.
Could social entrepreneurship be the answer to South Africa’s economic woes? Talk-radio host and The Big Issue board member Kieno Kammies shares his personal views on this question. What in the world is this thing called social entrepreneurship that so many people are talking about these days? One could turn to the dictionary definitions and business school...
Valentine’s Day is a marketer's dream. Whether you celebrate it or not, someone special in your life would love to receive a gift and you don't want to disappoint them. Spouses, partners, children, friends are all eagerly awaiting the day to see what Valentine's gifts they may receive. It is no longer just a day for those in relationships. In fact the term...
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in South Africa so what better way to raise money for cancer than at a cricket match? Relate Bracelets will once again partner with the Pink Drive for their annual One Day International (ODI) event on 4 February to celebrate World Cancer Day. The event, which is in its fifth year now, aims to raise R1 million. Relate...
Valentine's Day is a marketer's dream. Whether you celebrate it or not, someone special in your life would love to receive a gift and you don't want to disappoint them. Spouses, partners, children, friends are all eagerly awaiting the day to see what Valentine's gifts they may receive. It is no longer just a day for those in relationships. In fact the term "Galentine's...
Valentine’s Day is a marketer's dream. Whether you celebrate it or not, someone special in your life would love to receive a gift and you don't want to disappoint them. Spouses, partners, children and friends are all eagerly awaiting the day to see what Valentine's gifts they might receive. It is no longer just a day for those in relationships. Here are some...
Not everyone who finished matric last year will be going to varsity. In fact, just 17% of last year's applicants got a place in major Mzansi universities. Iman Latief from Irvine Partners said however that if your choice of university was taken away from you, it didn't mean your life's over. "There are many other options to get a decent education and...
Relate Bracelets is once again throwing their support behind PinkDrive’s annual Pink ODI (One Day International), helping the South African cricket community to “hit cancer for six” and raise R1 million. PinkDrive provides valuable education, awareness, and preventative screenings related to breast cancer, and on Saturday 4th of February...
SuperSport is using its influence in the sporting world to rally both the public and corporate's to make a difference to the future of South Africa. Without the youth of South Africa being nurtured and encouraged to succeed, there can be no future. SuperSport has identified huge issues severely inhibiting the development of children through skills learned...
Vital stats Player: Neil Robinson Company: Relate Bracelets What they do: A 100% not-for-profit social enterprise that has raised R40 million to date. Visit: relate.org.za If you’ve ever bought a beaded bracelet that supports a cause (for example: United Against Malaria, Operation Smile SA or PinkDrive), chances...
Real CSI involves more than just giving Corporate social investment (CSI) is no longer a matter of just doling out money. Corporates are increasingly changing their thinking around how they spend their money on CSI initiatives, realising that more productive means of intervention are required. Tech start-up Yoco takes a sustainable approach to CSI. CEO Katlego...
Due to many ongoing challenges facing education in South Africa, many young South Africans are not receiving the quality of education they deserve. From basic to tertiary education, much is needed to improve the situation as it is right now. It’s often too easy to think that it isn’t within an individual’s power to make a difference. But there are...
In an effort to get more beards to wear more beads, Sorbet has launched the manly version of the SEW Relate bracelet, now available in all Sorbet MAN stores. This initiative is driven by Sorbet’s 2018 SEW pledge: to help raise critical funds to reach their goal of creating employment for 170 women as qualified nail technicians by March 2018 through SEW (Sorbet...
In South Africa, many people have everything they could wish for while others live with nothing or very little. It might cross your mind throughout the year that you could do something to help those in need, but it is never more prevalent than throughout the festive season when giving is top of mind. With an estimated 120 000 organisations and initiatives...
Gift-giving season is upon us, and sometimes it can be tricky to find the perfect present for the special people in our life. None of us want to revert to buying the same old boring scented candle and bath salts time and time again. Ideally, a gift should be personal and improve the life of the person who receives it. But with budget and time constraints, it can be a...
There’s always one, isn’t there? That one friend or family member for whom the perfect Christmas (or birthday, or any day for that matter) gift is elusive and shopping is nerve-wracking. The biggest gift-giving day of the year is now just around the corner, and hurtling closer by the minute. As far as you know they already have every gadget and trinket their...
Everyone has that one friend or family member who is impossible to shop for, because they’ve already bought everything they want. They have all the gadgets, trinkets, and apparel they could possibly need. With Christmas just days away, if you haven’t already done all your gift shopping then panic is almost certainly setting in. Here are some gift ideas...
With the festive season pretty much in full swing and the holidays hurtling towards us, it can be easy to forget that there are many less fortunate souls who are not surrounded by fun, family and food at this time of year. If everyone makes an effort to do something small to help their fellow man, it means that a great deal gets done as a whole. These are just a few...
It’s that time of the year again – when relatives both close and distant, friends and colleagues are all waiting expectantly to be presented with the perfect gift for Christmas But there’s always that one person for whom it is impossible to shop. They know what they want, and they’ve already bought it. So when it comes down to it, and...
Cape Town - We live in a country with a very large divide between rich and poor, and it’s at this time of year that these economic differences become even more stark. Luckily, as a nation we’re a charitable bunch. But with an estimated 120 000 organisations and initiatives needing assistance, helping those in need can be...
JOHANNESBURG – If you want to avoid the shopping malls this December and give a loved one something different but still meaningful why not opt for a social gift? Social gifting is a rising trend in e-commerce and is a great option when you are stuck for ideas of what to buy for someone who already has everything. Here are some ideas: 1. A...
Inspired by the idea to double the love this Christmas, the gift you choose for the special someone in your life has the power to change and save lives. All these one-of-a-kind gifts from Goodbye Malaria are hand-made by Cape Town crafters, celebrate Africa and support local companies who employ and empower them. You’re bound to find a gift you love with an...
Spending from as little as R20 on a feel good gift this festive season can make a big difference to a really worthy cause.
Change lives and support a good cause this festive season by giving an ethical, socially responsible gift. Not only will the recipient be happy, but you'll be doing your bit towards social upliftment. Now, that's allround winning! Look and feel good with a beautiful Lalela scarf. The Lalela programme provides educational arts for youth at risk to help spark...
DOING GOOD: Proof of how positive thoughts can lead to enormous success. After 23 years in corporate Neil Robinson quit his job. He wanted some time to evaluate his life and purpose, and choose what his next 20 years would look like. What he found was more than a cause, but a mission to do good and change lives. This article was first published in...
South African non-profit social enterprise Relate Bracelets is throwing its support behind South Africa’s Movember campaign again – with Mo Bro and Mo Sista bracelets now sold in selected Woolworths stores nationwide. This year’s Movember Relate Bracelets have a new and exciting look. They are the first to steer away from the organisation’s...
Inspired by the idea to double the love this Christmas, the gift you choose for the special woman in your life – whether that’s mom, your bestie or boss, has the power to change and save lives. Goodbye Malaria’s one-of-a-kind gifts, hand-made by South African crafters, celebrate Africa and support local companies who employ and empower them....
Inspired by the idea to double the love this Christmas, the gift you choose for the special woman in your life - whether that’s your mom, your bestie or your boss, can have the power to change and save lives Goodbye Malaria’s one-of-a-kind gifts, hand-made by South African crafters, celebrate Africa and support local companies who employ and...
Cape Town, 9 November 2016: Capetonians are gearing for their turn to join millions of fun-loving runners in the ‘Happiest 5k on the planet’ – The Color Run is back in Cape Town. Now in its fifth year, the run brings communities together and promotes health and happiness. The local event, which takes place on Saturday, 12 November, follows the...
Capetonians are gearing for their turn to join millions of fun-loving runners in the ‘Happiest 5k on the planet’ – The Color Run is back in Cape Town. Now in its fifth year, the run brings communities together and promotes health and happiness. The local event, which takes place on Saturday, 12 November, follows the over 200 events hosted in more than 50...
There was no better way to celebrate Spring Day and anticipate Rosh Chodesh Elul than to gather at the Nechama organised breakfast at Coffee Time to hear Lauren Gillis speak on the topic 'How do you want to be remembered?' Lauren spoke from the heart and dedicated what she said to the memory of her late mother Rita Friedlander who had passed away four months...
South African 100% not-for-profit social enterprise Relate Bracelets is throwing its support behind South Africa’s Movember campaign again – with Mo Bro and Mo Sista bracelets now sold in selected Woolworths stores nationwide. This year’s Movember Relate Bracelets have a new and exciting look. They are the first to steer away from the...
Prince Harry might be making headlines for his love life again (he’s rumoured to be dating American actress, Meghan Markle, of Suits fame), but South Africa never appears to be far from his heart either. Spotted on the front page of dailymail.co.uk (see pic below), the prince can be seen sporting a Relate Bracelet, supporting the African Parks cause....
This Spring, Sorbet hit a six-figure SEW (Sorbet Empowering Women) milestone by raising over R1million for its SEW Academy. This social initiative, created in partnership with The Clothing Bank, a non-profit organisation focused on empowering unemployed mothers to social and financial independence, aims to improve the earning potential and circumstances of...
SuperSport is using its influence in the sporting world to rally both the public and corporates to make a difference to the future of South Africa. Without the youth of South Africa being nurtured and encouraged to succeed, there can be no future. SuperSport has identified huge issues severely inhibiting the development of children through skills learned by playing,...
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Most women have been touched by breast cancer in some way — whether they’ve had a scare themselves or know someone who has been diagnosed with the disease. According to CANSA, breast cancer has a lifetime risk of 1 in 29 in South Africa. It’s easy to feel helpless when faced with the sheer scale of the...
Cape Town - You're at the airport, checked in with your boarding pass in hand, and you realise - now you're there and you've ditched the weight of your bags - that you've forgotten to grab a few gifts in your haste to see the sights or attend meetings. And, hopefully, you have a few spare rands in your pocket. With partners, children, and colleagues waiting...
October is here again, which means it’s time for a sea of pink paraphernalia and dozens of fundraising initiatives in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One easy way to support the cause directly is with the purchase of a Relate beaded bracelet from Woolworths. A special Relate Bracelet in support of the Breast Health Foundation will be...
SATURDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2016 SAW THE SIXTH ANNUAL RED CARPET FASHION SHOW, ORCHESTRATED BY JADE ALLEN OF RED CARPET CONCEPTS FROM ITS INCEPTION AND WHICH HAS BECOME A SIGNIFICANT EVENT ON THE SOUTH AFRICA FASHION CALENDAR WITH A LINE UP OF INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL DESIGNERS AT THE BAY HOTEL IN CAMPS BAY. THIS YEAR MARKS THE SEVEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF RED CARPET...
'I love seeing the growth in the people that Relate exists for.' TINKIE OLCKERS is chief financial officer and production manager for 100 percent notforprofit social enterprise Relate Bracelets. What does your job entail? Everything! I work, happily, behind the scenes doing not only the books and finances, but a lot of operational tasks daily If...
Cracking the crime syndicates behind poaching would be the real game changer While the latest figures reveal an overall drop in rhino poaching in South Africa, an increase in poaching has occurred in three provinces. The overall drop is largely due to a successful programme in the Kruger National Park, but it is proving difficult to replicate this programme...
Cape Town, 24 August 2016 : In the words of author, Miya Yamanouchi, “We can all make a difference in the lives of others in need, because it is the most simple of gestures that make the most significant of differences.” Her profound words ring true for the impact of a project run by Protea Hotels by Marriott® in conjunction with a local...
Sitting in her small and colourful office decorated with drawings by 55 children who attend her pre-school, Educare, 29-year-old Ayanda Mpokela of Khayelitsha Cape Town, shares how a need to help her mother set her on a different career path to what she had initially planned Mpokela never thought that she’d be running her own business, employing eight women...
For a mere R40 you could help provide a household with 1600 litres of clean drinking water that lasts 100 days. The lack of clean and safe drinkable water negatively impacts hundreds of communities and thousands of people across Sub-Saharan Africa every day. Rotary District 9350’s SafeWater Project aims to give all of these communities access to safe drinking water by...
Clicks has partnered with Subz Pads and its.community programme Project Dignity to donate washable and reusable pads to girls in local schools. Thousands of girls miss school regularly because they lack access to sanitary pads during their menstruation cycle. This article was first published by Sunday Times on 07 August 2016.
For a mere R40 you could help provide a household with 1600 litres of clean drinking water that lasts 100 days. The lack of clean and safe drinkable water negatively impacts hundreds of communities and thousands of people across Sub-Saharan Africa every day. Rotary District 9350’s SafeWater Project aims to give all of these communities access to safe drinking...
IN THE LAP OF LUXURY INTEGRATING ALL FASHION CAPITAL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE, RED CARPET FASHION SHOW GOES GLOBAL FOR THEIR SIXTH ANNUAL PRODUCTION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PRESTIGE MAGAZINE AND DSTV FASHION ONE. Taking a leap into the international arena, the Red Carpet Concepts production will be held on Saturday, 17 September 2016 at The Bay Hotel in Camps Bay in...
What did your celebs get up to this Mandela day and why is it important to them. This article was first published by The Eagle on 04 August 2016.
Capetonians from all walks of life joined the rest of the country in celebrating this year's Mandela Day. Central to the day's celebrations —marked on July 18, the birthdate of the former president and global human rights icon — is the call for South Africans to set aside 67 minutes of their day in the service of others. On Thursday July 14,...
On Tuesday 14 July, a group of South African celebrities took on the Gogos from Relate bracelets in a beading challenge to raise awareness of South Africa’s senior citizens ahead of Mandela Day. A team of eight Relate Bracelets Gogos took on eight celebrities, and Relate ambassadors, in a bid to see who could bead the fastest – all in the name of Mandela Day,...
Kunswerk uit kleurryke krale ter ere van V andela-dag is onthul VERBIND die krale, ver-bind die nasie. Dit is die siening van die Lulela-studente in samewer-king met Relate Bracelets en Mandela Bangle. This article was first published by Son on 15 July 2016.
MADIBA MAGIC TOUCH Relate Bracelets CEO Neil Robinson appreciates the work of young artists from Lelela at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, in the run-up to International Mandela Day on Monday. This picture was first published by The Times on 15 July 2016.
YOUNG artists and members of non-profit organisation (NPO) Lalela unveiled their Madiba mosaic they created for Mandela Day at the V&A Waterfront yesterday Lalela works with vulner-able youth in Hout Bay. The mosaic initiative was created by NPOs Relate Bracelets and the Mandela Bracelet. Also at yesterday's event were Ikamva Labantu seniors from...
Today, the public as well as the children of Lalela got to see the first artwork created for Mandela Day as part of the #My67Beads initiative at its unveiling at the V&A Waterfront. Lalela provides educational arts for at risk youth to spark creative thinking and awaken the entrepreneurial spirit. The young artists from Lalela created the Madiba bead mosaic...
This article was first published by BBQ Enterprise on 01 July 2016.
As an additional element of the #MY67BEADS campaign in honour of Mandela Day 2016 we are proud to announce the launch of a bespoke Mandela Bracelet, available exclusively in Tourvest stores nationwide for R67. With each bracelet you buy, you will also receive a pack of #MY67BEADS beads so you too can 'connect the beads and connect the nation'. Proceeds...
This Youth Month, tweens and teens are being offered the opportunity to support literacy programmes for their underprivileged counterparts through a collaboration between Relate Bracelets and SODA Bloc stores. Part of The Foschini Group, SODA Bloc is a funky new clothing brand with 18 stores nationwide, catering for tweens and teens. In partnership with 100% for...
1. Carefully remove the beads from the plastic sleeve. 2. Thread the un-knotted end of the string through the hole of the first bead. 3. Continue until you have threaded 67 beads (there may be extra beads left over). 4. Tie a knot at the loose end of the string. 5. Put your string back into the plastic sleeve and reseal it. 6. Place your...
Relate Bracelets, in partnership with Mandela Bangle, has decided to embark on a campaign for national hope and solidarity to mark Mandela Day 2016: #MY67BEADS We need you to help us connect the beads and connect the nation. Simply visit one of the Protea and African Pride Hotels listed below from the 17 June 2016 OR the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront...
In partnership with the Mandela Bangle , Relate Bracelets, a 100% not-for-profit enterprise, has decided to embark on a campaign for national hope and solidarity to mark Mandela Day 2016. The Mandela Bangle, an initiative supported by Zenani and Zindiswa Mandela, supports the Mandela Day Library Schools project. Through the sale of these bangles, old containers are...
OUR OCEANS, like Earth's other wildernesses, are in danger on a daily basis. While we often only consider the state of our oceans when faced with massive industrial infractions like overfishing, deep-sea mining and oil spills, the biggest source of ocean pollution comes from land-based sources such as dirt, oil, septic tanks, farms and motor vehicles. Excessive...
This article was first published by The Witness on 08 June 2016. The Endangered Wildlife Trust Ocean Project Relate bracelets are available at the Two Oceans Aquarium – TAQU, Tsitsikamma National Park - ETSI, and online here .
With so little being known about our oceans, scientists believe they offer almost immeasurable resources for the planet. From undiscovered medicines to developing marine resources as a sustainable food source, we cannot afford to overlook what the oceans offer us. Visit our online shop to buy your Endangered Wildlife Trust Ocean Project bracelets...
Conserving our oceans is everyone's concern and every little bit counts. This article was first published by Indwe on 01 June 2016.
This Father’s Day, Movember and the Men’s Foundation of SA are acknowledging Fathers and all male role models – he’s a daughters first love and a son’s first hero. You may be apart but will always be a part of one another. To honour your bond, we’ve created the Relate Father’s Day double bracelet pack, available at...
It is argued that poorly strategized Enterprise Development (ED) has had limited impact in South Africa, and in some respects and certain contexts, this may be true. But if we recognise ED as an essential tool through which to develop our economy, we must look to fix the problem areas, and essentially commit to it as a strategic national issue; one that...
Cape Town - As if their fight for survival isn't dire enough, a pack of endangered wild dogs in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has died due to natural causes. The KNP made an announcement saying they had lost their Lower Sabie pack of African Wild Dogs from a disease called Canine Distemper. The wild dogs died around the weekend of 21 - 22 May this year, KNP...
Kruger Wild Dog Project After another constructive meeting with SANParks and the State Vet services a project proposal will be submitted to continue monitoring of Wild Dogs within Kruger National Park, This will be to assist with the implementation of a disease screening and vaccination campaign. This is following concerns around potential spread of rabies, canine...
Nompumelelo "Mpumi" Nobiva is graduating from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) on Sunday. It will be JCSU's 144th Commencement. Nobiva is part of the first graduating class of Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy in South Africa. Nobiva says she's excited about Oprah being the guest speaker at her graduation. "We listen when Oprah speaks," she said....
Make Mom’s Day But Change A Woman’s Life We’re SEW for Mom! Sorbet is making no bones about the love we share for Moms around the world – and our new, limited edition SEW Mom Bracelets pay homage to this. SEW is a Sorbet and Relate Enterprise Development Initiative that aims to raise funds in support of...
Relate Bracelets has raised over R33m in the 12 years since its inception for various causes using a simple handmade object. We interviewed Neil Robinson, CEO of Relate Bracelets, to find out how the social enterprise's model works and contributes to skills development in South Africa. Neil Robinson, CEO of f Relate Bracelets...
GENETICS, DIET, INACTIVITY TO BLAME LIFESTYLE illnesses like diabetes often exist in the shadows of better-known conditions like HIV and Aids. This was why it was important to use a vehicle such as World Health Day - being observed today - to bring these conditions back into the spotlight, say activists. Lauren Gillis, founder of Relate Bracelets - a non-profit...
As conservationists gear up for World Oceans Day in June, Anton Marshall outlines the numerous threats impacting on the health of the planet’s oceans, highlighting several South African marine conservation initiatives to combat them. Please click on the image to view the full article. Help protect the ocean and buy a Endagered Wildlife Trust Ocean stack...
On Saturday 2 April 2016, the Vodacom Bulls will take to the field kitted out in pink, to battle it out against the Toyota Cheetahs in the 5th round of the Vodacom Super Rugby. The pink kit (a lot different to the previous pink kit you might remember) is all in the name of raising funds and awareness for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as part of the...
Ná die bohaai voorverlede jaar oor die Bulls se besluit om in pienk truie te speel, doen hulle dit Saterdag weer. Maar nee, dit is nie hulle truie vir die res van die seisoen nie. Dit is deel van die Bulls se gesamentlike projek met die SA Kankervereniging, Kansa, om geld vir kanker en spesifiek borskanker in te samel. Die pienk trui sal dié seisoen dus...
Seapoint Rotary Club has helped make it possible for a farm school outside of Wellington to receive a Community LifeStraw unit which will ensure its pupils, for the first time, have access to safe drinking water. The installation took place ahead of International World Water Day, marked yesterday, Tuesday March 22. Provided by the Sea Point Rotaiy Club's safe water project...
A farm school outside of Wellington has received a community LifeStraw unit which will ensure its pupils, for the first time, have access to safe drinking water. The installation took place ahead of International World Water Day, marked yesterday, Tuesday March 22. Provided by the Sea Point Rotary Club's safe water project and Aqua4Life, this Community LifeStraw unit...
Berg River Primary School received a new Lifestraw Community unit that will convert contaminated water into safe drinking water. A farm school outside of Wellington has received a Community LifeStraw unit which will ensure its learners, for the first time, have access to safe drinking water. The installation took place ahead of International World Water Day, which...
The Sea Point Rotary Club and Aqua4Life have donated a Community LifeStraw unit to the Berg River Primary School outside Wellington in the Western Cape. The unit will ensure that learners at the school, for the first time, have access to safe drinking water for up to seven years. The installation took place ahead of International World Water Day on 22 March 2016....
A farm school outside of Wellington has received a Community LifeStraw unit which will ensure its learners, for the first time, have access to safe drinking water. The installation took place ahead of International World Water Day, which happens on 22 March 2016. Provided by the Sea Point Rotary Club’s safe water project and Aqua4Life, this Community LifeStraw unit...
View PDF version here .
In 2012, the Endangered Wildlife Trust's (EWT) Cheetah Metapopulation Project made a young female cheetah available to Hopewell Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. There was a requirement for this female to join the only male cheetah on the reserve so that a breeding population could be established. After her flight to Port Elizabeth, a three-month stay in the boma was...
The Fire & Ice hotel is swanky, there’s just no other word for it. A moat of illuminated ice circles the bar and across the foyer sits Francois Van Coke. His acoustic performance tonight serves a very specific purpose – one he takes very personally. He’s launching a bracelet created by Relate in aid of the Vrede Foundation, a charity focusing on the...
African Wild Dogs were one of the first wildlife sightings we had on a road trip through Namibia in 2015. The multi-coloured dogs, with striking resemblances to pavement special mutts often seen in SA’s townships (with much larger ears), were lying next to the road outside a Namibian national park when we spotted and drove up to them. We stopped about...
We speak to musician Francois Van Coke, watch him introduce us to a new project he's taken on to create awareness around cancer in SA. Van Coke has just released his very own Relate bracelet in support of the Vrede Foundation, a foundation that is very near and dear to his heart. The Vrede Foundation was founded by Van Coke's good friend, Herman Pretorius, who...
Join 100% not-for-profit social enterprise, Relate Bracelets, and the V&A Waterfront, for an exclusive Love Lock Lane experience and a memorable Valentine's Day outing on 14 February 2016. Some people will be familiar with the Love Bridge (Pont des Arts) that is situated in Paris, France. Traditionally, couples attach a "love lock" with their names on it to the...
This article was first published in the 17 February 2016 in the Citizen Newspaper
This article was first published on 16 February 2016 by People's Post, to view the pdf version click here
It was a blue Monday for Table Mountain, but not in the way you think. Our beautiful mountain lit up in blue last night in honour of International Childhood Cancer Day. This article was first published by Cape Town Etc. on 17 February 2016, to view the full article click here .
Capetonians embraced a French tradition to show their love this Valentine’s Day – all while giving to a good cause. Love Lock Lane, which was opened at the V&A Waterfront on Sunday, is based on Paris’s Love Bridge (Pont des Arts) where couples traditionally attach a lock with their names on it to the bridge’s fence. The launch of Love Lock...
Join me for a FREE acoustic show and launch of my Vrede Foundation Relate Bracelet. The Vrede Foundation – founded by Herman Pretorius, who lost his battle to cancer eight days before his 30th birthday in 2015 – is dedicated to raising awareness, early detection, as well as funds for young South Africans with cancer. South African rock legend and...
It's no secret that I have a passion for charity and the disadvantaged communities, so nothing makes my heart more happy than a fun Valentines activity and initiative to raise fund s and awareness. This Valentines a little piece of Paris comes to Cape Town in the form of The Love Lock Lane, a tribute to the original Love Bridge (Pont des Arts) that is situated in Paris,...
Join me for a FREE acoustic show and launch of my Vrede Foundation Relate Bracelet. The Vrede Foundation – founded by Herman Pretorius, who lost his battle to cancer eight days before his 30th birthday in 2015 – is dedicated to raising awareness, early detection, as well as funds for young South Africans with cancer. South African rock legend and...
Die plaaslike musikant Francois van Coke maak sy hart vanjaar oop deur 'n paar goeie sake te ondersteun. Hy't verlede week aangekondig dat hy by kunstenaars van oor die wereld aangesluit het om sy eie bydrae tot die Play it Forwardveldtog te maak. Na die afgryslike aanvalle wat in Parys plaasgevind het in November 2015, het The Eagles of Death Metal 'n pleidooi gelewer...
Die plaaslike musikant Francois van Coke maak sy hart vanjaar oop deur ’n paar goeie sake te ondersteun. Hy’t verlede week aangekondig dat hy by kunstenaars van oor die wêreld aangesluit het om sy eie bydrae tot die Play it Forward-veldtog te maak. Ná die afgryslike aanvalle wat in Parys plaasgevind het in November 2015, het The Eagles of...
This article was first published on the 01 February 2016 by Your Pregnancy .
This article was first published in the Fairlady Magazine on 01 February 2016, click on the image for the full article.
A simple string of beads made and sold through a uniquely sustainable business model has seen the Amy Biehl Foundation (ABF ) in Cape Town, South Africa benefit by R1 062 464. Through sales of the Relate cause bracelets, regular monthly payments made over the last few years have culminated in this magical milestone of more than R1...
FRANCOIS VAN COKE is Playing it Forward Photo Credit: Hayden Phipps After the atrocious attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015, The Eagles of Death Metal issued a challenge to other musicians to cover their song I Love You All The Time . “For every cover sold, we pledge to donate 100% of the publishing...
The Vrede Foundation – founded by Herman Pretorius, who lost his battle with cancer eight days before his 30th birthday in 2009 – is dedicated to raising awareness, early detection, as well as funds for young South Africans with cancer. South African rock legend and Pretorius’ close friend, Francois Van Coke has partnered with Relate Bracelets...
Singer Van Coke, the lead singer of Afrikaans rock bands Fokofpolisiekar and Van Coke Kartel, is supporting the Vrede Foundation, a nonprofit organisation, in the fight against cancer. The 35-year-old Bellville rocker teamed up with Relate Bracelets to raise money for Vrede. Relate Bracelets is an NPO that raises funds for various causes through the sale of its...
This article was first published on 19 January 2016 by People's Post, to view the pdf version click here .
A simple string of beads, made and sold through a uniquely sustainable business model, has seen the Amy Biehl Foundation (ABF) in Cape Town, benefit by R1,062,464. Through sales of the Relate cause bracelets, regular monthly payments made over the last few years have culminated in this magical milestone of more than R1 million. Knowing that through this money 354 children...
The Vrede Foundation – founded by Herman Pretorius, who lost his battle to cancer eight days before his 30th birthday in 2015 – is dedicated to raising awareness, early detection, as well as funds for young South Africans with cancer. South African rock legend and Pretorius’ close friend Francois Van Coke has partnered with Relate Bracelets to sell a...
Great leaders inspire action, which may be how all great stories start, but the kind of leaders that leave a legacy like our Late Great Tata Madiba did, can be everyday heroes like you and I, who choose to give a hand-up, not a hand-out, to the many men and women fighting tirelessly to say Goodbye Malaria, once and for all. Now during the highest risk period for contracting...
A SIMPLE string of beads, made and sold through a uniquely sustainable business model, has seen the Amy Biehl Foundation (ABF) in Cape Town benefit by more than R1 million. Through sales of the Relate cause bracelets, regular monthly payments made over the past few years have culminated in R1 062 464 being raised and this will go towards 354 children being kept safe...
Cape Town - Hopefully, you've already made a dent in your Christmas shopping. But if, like many others, you've left it almost to the last minute or you've been waiting for your leave to start and get your head around things, you may be searching for ideas. Here are a few ideas for your last minute dash to the shop - and some of them involve not leaving the house....
Hope Soap For those who love to be pampered Hope Soap is made from 100% coconut oil. Based in Salt River, Cape Town, this outfit employs unemployed local women (including the homeless) to make the soap, and trains them in other skills too, including basic business functions such as budgeting and good work practices. All profits are...
SABC Newsroom chats with Neil Robinson from Relate Bracelets and David Torres from mothers2mothers. It is estimated that at least 600 children worldwide are infected with are newly infected with HIV, with most of them living in sub-Saharan Africa, most of these children acquire HIV from their mothers during pregnancy. A NGO called mothers2mothers together with Relate...
This article was first published in Vukani on 11 Decber 2015, please click on the image for the pdf original article.
Making a difference in people's lives, one bracelet at a time, is the aim of Relate Bracelets. And on Thursday November 26, the not-for-profit social enterprise launched its latest set of bracelets at the V&A Waterfront store, Made in SA. The profits will go toward the Mothers2Mothers organisation. Mothers2Mothers trains, employs and empowers men- tor mothers, who...
This article was first published by Contantiaberg Bulletin, please click on the image for the original article.
“I always knew that there was a power in connection.” – Lauren Gillis What is your purpose? What gets you up in the morning? For Lauren Gillis it’s knowing that her efforts and vision will positively affect change through Relate Bracelets, a South African not-for-profit social enterprise built on a uniquely sustainable model for the...
Here’s a big THANK YOU to all of you change-makers out there who have partnered with us to achieve great results over the last 4 and a half years. Because of you the Relate Trust has made above life to date impact (1 April 2010 to 31 October 2014). This really proves that a small act from many individuals can make an incredibly significant difference to the...
Making a difference in people's lives, one bracelet at a time, is the aim of Relate Bracelets. And on Thursday November 26, the not-for-profit social enterprise launched its latest set of bracelets — the profits of which will go towards the organisation Mothers2Mothers — at the V&A Waterfront store, Made in SA. Mothers2Mothers trains, employs and empowers...
Masikhule is an NPO that trains, mentors and educates women in Early Childhood Development (ECD) in the Helderberg. This year is their 10th anniversary, and over the past decade they have achieved some remarkable results, with 1 825 women having been trained (nearly half of these were unemployed). Following are some of the successes of the organisation with regards to...
This article was first published on 02 December 2015 by The Times, click here for full article.
Putting an end to paediatric AIDS mothers2mothers ( m2m ) is an African-based, global not-for-profit organisation that recognises African women living with HIV as the greatest resource available to ending paediatric AIDS. From mother to mother m2m’s 'Mentor Mother Model' empowers HIV-positive mothers from local communities by training them,...
In the spirit of World Aids Day, News24 Live went to listen to HIV+ mothers talk about their own experiences and, in turn, the work they're doing to help empower other HIV+ mothers to provide the right care for their children - with the 'mothers2mothers' campaign. Watch. Each day more than 600 children worldwide are newly infected with HIV. Almost 90% of these children...
Zikhona Mongameli, 30, employed as a mentor mother at Nolungile Day Hospital in Cape Town As World Aids Day is commemorated across the globe, many civil society and non-government organisations struggle to raise funds in an increasingly competitive environment. Lauren Gillis, founder of Relate which makes and...
mothers2mothers (m2m) is an African-based, global not-for-profit organisation that recognises African women living with HIV as the greatest resource available to ending paediatric AIDS and creating healthy families and communities. m2m’s Mentor Mother Model unlocks the potential of HIV-positive mothers from local communities by training, employing, and empowering them...
There’s nothing that the COSMO fashion team loves more than fashion that’s for a good cause. And YDE is running an exciting charity initiative, using fashion to fight against HIV/AIDS. To help fight the fight against HIV/AIDS, YDE is selling ‘Relate bracelets’ at R35.00 across all 19 stores in South Africa. Relate is a non-profit...
This article was first published on 29 November 2015 by the Sunday Weekend Argus, click on the image to view the full article.
World Aids Day is on Tuesday, and to mark the event Relate Bracelets will go on sale to raise funds for an international organisation that is working to combat mother-to-child transmission of the HI virus. Stores across the country will sell the bracelets, which are made in SA, at R40 each. The proceeds will go to help mothers2mothers, a global non-profit organisation...
As the hairiest month of the year draws to a close, we find out why some of South Africa’s most celebrated Mo Bros and Mo Sistas support Movember, the biggest men’s health movement of our time. “Every Mo Bro and Mo Sista is a hero,” says Garron Gsell, CEO and Founder of the Men’s Foundation. “By raising funds and creating much...
Statistically, in South Africa, 3.3 million children live in households where there is child hunger, 14% live in households where children go hungry, 17% of children under the age of 10 suffer from stunting, and 10% of children under the age of 10 years old are underweight. Non-governmental organisation Ikamva Labantu has partnered with 100 percent not-for-profit social...
This Movember, you can show your support for men’s health by purchasing a Relate bracelet which are available at selected Woolworths stores nationwide. Just as the moustache acts as a catalyst by prompting conversations about men’s health issues and breaking down the stigmas associated with male specific diseases, wearing a Movember Relate bracelet...
This article was first published in the Sunday Times on 22 November 2015, to read the full artcile please click on the image.
It’s the end of the year…and the word we are embracing is SHINE. With all the xmas baubles, glitz and glamour of year end functions it can often be a little daunting. Instead of allowing the chaos to inundate we have challenged our inner divas to grab as much glitter and pizaz as we can get our hands on and embrace the joy and positivity that can be found...
Relate Bracelets CEO Neil Robinson is passionate about the viability and effective management of non-profits. If every employed South African bought one 'R' bracelet, once a year for R39, a quarter of a billion rand can be raised for South African causes. This coverage was first published by Hectic 9 Movers and Shakers on 17 November 2015.
This article was first published by Gebeure on 14 November 2015, to view full article please click on the image.
Freshlyground in collaboration with Ikamva Labantu: Fuel2Grow have created a new bracelet design to be added to the Relate Bracelets collection. The proceedings made from the bracelet sales will go directly to funding a feeding scheme for young South African children in impoverished areas. The Fuel2Grow campaign aims to raise millions to give 650 children a hot meal...
This article was first published by Career Times on 09 November 2015, to view the full article please click on the image.
Leigh-Anne Williams from the Expresso Show chats to Kyla-Rose Smith from Freshlyground and Helen Lieberman, founder of Ikamva Labantu, about their new Fuel2Grow campaign and the inspiration behind their specially designed Relate Bracelets. Original interview was first published on the 8 November 2015 by the Expresso Morning Show
Ikamva Labantu, a non-governmental organisation has collaborated with Relate Bracelets for the Fuel to grow campaign that aims to raise funds for children with hunger. The organisations hope to raise R2.5-million that will provide 650 children in Ikamva Labantu’s after-school programme with a cooked nutritious meal every day in 2016. Statistics show...
This article was first published in The Times on the 05 November 2015.
This article was first published in Cape Times on 05 November 2015, please click on the image to read the full article.
Cape Town - It is often said that you can’t teach a hungry child, and for this reason local organisations have teamed up to raise funds for Ikamva Labantu’s after school feeding programmes which provide cooked meals to underprivileged children. The campaign, called Fuel2Grow, aims to provide 650 children with a cooked nutritious meal five days a week, for a...
This Movember, you can show your support for Men’s Health by purchasing a Relate bracelet, available at selected Woolworths stores nationwide. Just as the moustache acts as a catalyst by prompting conversations about men’s health issues and breaking down the stigmas associated with male specific diseases, wearing a Movember Relate bracelet shows your support...
A decade ago, Noelene Kotschan started an initiative that would go on to make great strides in the fight against breast cancer. By Nwabisa Ngumbela ‘I knew change needed to happen to combat breast cancer. And that change had to start with me,’ explains Noelene Kotschan, founder of PinkDrive . An initiative like no other, the Pink...
Jenna Lowe captured the hearts and minds of our nation; she inspired a staggering 36 000 South Africans to register as organ donors through her brave GetMeTo21 campaign. Today, on what would’ve been her 21st birthday, we commemorate and remember her extraordinary life as a young leader, role model, educator, and champion. Along with the Jenna Lowe Trust, we can...
If she'd still been alive today, organ donors across the country would have been preparing to celebrate Jenna Lowe's 21st. Sadly she passed away a few months early - but you can still get involved... Jenna's mom Gabi posted to Facebook today that "Jenna's Getmeto21 campaign was less about her getting to her 21st birthday and more about her intense desire to make a...
In memory of Jenna Lowe How a courageous young girls’ gift of life continues to make a difference. Jenna Lowe captured the hearts and minds of our nation; she inspired a staggering 36 000 South Africans to register as organ donors through her brave GetMeTo21 campaign. Today, on what would’ve been her 21st birthday, we commemorate...
So many of us were inspired and moved by Jenna Lowe’s story . This amazing young woman inspired an incredible 36 000 South Africans to register as organ donors, all thanks to her ground-breaking GetMeTo21 campaign. She fought hard to raise awareness for the rare lung disease pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and to save the lives of the 4 400 other...
Neil Robinson is the CEO of Relate Bracelets, a 100% not-for-profit social enterprise. Relate Bracelets facilitates the making of “cause bracelets” by the elderly, refugees and unemployed youth. Relate Bracelets CEO Neil Robinson has worked in investor relations, marketing, advertising, publishing, media, business consulting...
Jenna Lowe captured the hearts and minds of our nation, inspiring a staggering 36 000 South Africans to register as organ donors through her brave GetMeTo21 campaign . Today, on what would’ve been her 21st birthday, we commemorate and remember her extraordinary life as a young leader, role model, educator and champion. Jenna was a friend of the Vibe and...
Inspired by Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG bracelets, which raise cancer awareness, Lauren Gillis wanted to create handmade bracelets that would “change people’s lives”. Gillis had been working on crafted gifts for conference packages since 2004. In 2008 she woke up with “Nandos!” screaming in her head, so at 2am that...
Foschini has teamed up with non-profit social enterprise Relate Bracelets for Women’s Month this August. The fashion retailer is aiming to raise R100, 000 for women-led non-profit organisation 18twenty8 through the sale of limited edition bags and Relate Bracelets with the theme “We Are Women, Passionate, Generous, Real” available in store throughout...
South African celebrities took on Gogos from Relate bracelets in a challenge to raise awareness about SA's senior citizens ahead of Mandela Day. Watch how the action went down. Jennifer Sanasie caught up with the likes of ex-Baffana Baffana defender Matthew Booth and Freshlyground's Kyla Rose Smith to find out how the celebrities prepared for the competition. We...
On Tuesday 14 July, a group of South African celebrities will be taking on the Gogos from Relate Bracelets in a beading challenge to raise awareness of SA’s senior citizens ahead of Mandela Day. Soccer star Matthew Booth may be quick on the pitch, but can he bead a bracelet in under a minute? Former Miss South Africa Nicole Flint has been dressed by SA’s...
You see them all over. You might even be wearing a few of the beaded bracelets sold in aid of good causes from clean oceans to AIDS education. In the year that Neil Robinson has headed the nonprofit organisation (NPO) Relate Bracelets, the sale of the multicoloured sets of beads has risen slightly more than 70%. They sold 307,000 bracelets two years ago and in the past...
This year Relate has partnered with the Spur Foundation ahead of Mandela Day, in order to spread Nelson Mandela’s message: “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” Ahead of International Mandela Day 2015 the Spur family of brands, including Panarottis and John Dory’s, are selling Relate Bracelets for R30 in support...
Cape Town-based non-profit social enterprise Relate Bracelets handed over two vehicles purchased as part of their enterprise development initiative yesterday – one to township-based, non-profit organisation Ikamva Labantu, and the other to local start-up Enroute Transport Services. Head of the seniors programme for Ikamva Labantu Lulama Sigasana said they...
With every minute that passes – every single 60 seconds – a child dies from malaria. Smooth and suave J’Something, front-man of the chart-topping South African band MiCasa yesterday (Tuesday 21 April) joined beaders from Relate Bracelets and Goodbye Malaria in a challenge to see how many bracelets they could make, and therefore lives they...
Cape Town - Just like the “Goodbye Malaria” bracelets he beads furiously from strings attached to his only arm, the Crossroads grandfather believes that locals and foreign nationals are bound together. And they’re as deserving of protection from xenophobia, he says, as those threatened by the killer disease. Saturday marked World Malaria Day,...
This article was first published in the Sunday Weekend Argus on 26 April 2015, click here for pdf.
Saturday 25 April is World Malaria Day and in 2015 the global theme is: “Invest in the future, defeat malaria”. In one year in a small region of Mozambique, a South African organisation has made a significant impact by reducing the prevalence of one of Africa’s, and the world’s, biggest killers – malaria. But Goodbye Malaria chief...
A GROUP of gogos and grandpas rapidly beaded strings of red, yellow, amber and orange beads together to make as many bracelets as possible in 24 minutes - representing the daily fight against the disease ahead of World Malaria Day today. When their time was up, they had potentially saved 53 910 lives in nearly 18 000 homes across Africa through the production of almost 9...
Every 60 seconds, a child dies from malaria. It's one of the biggest killers in the world, but one South African organisation aims to educate the world that the fight against malaria is worthwhile – because elimination is possible. Saturday 25 April is World Malaria Day and in 2015 the global theme is: “Invest in the future, defeat...
Cape Town – J’Something of our favourite soulful band Micasa stopped by our offices on Tuesday and let's just say we’re crushing hard on him. Not only is he the lead singer of Micasa but he also told us about a great cause that he himself spent the morning participating in. Proving his beading skills he participated in the Goodbye Malaria...
With every minute that passes – every single 60 seconds – a child dies from malaria. Smooth and suave J’Something, front-man of the chart-topping South African band MiCasa joined beaders from Relate Bracelets and Goodbye Malaria in a challenge to see how many bracelets they could make, and therefore lives they could protect, in just 24 minutes....
A GROUP of gogos and grandpas rapidly beaded strings of red, yellow, amber and orange beads together to make as many bracelets as possible in 24 minutes - representing the daily fight against the disease ahead of World Malaria Day on Saturday when their time was up, they had potentially saved 53 910 lives in nearly 18 000 homes across Africa through the production of almost...
THE GAP BETWEEN MATRIC AND EMPLOYMENT Many young South Africans pass matric, but discover that getting on to the Ladder of formal employment is a challenge. Neil Robinson offers some hope. Many young people pass matric, but are often not able to get into their chosen courses at tertiary institutions because their grades let them down. I call them the lost ones - the ones...
Local news anchor Andrew Barnes has chosen to throw his weight behind non-profit social enterprise Relate Bracelets by becoming their latest brand ambassador. Broadcast journalist Barnes has been the lead anchor on eNCA’s News Day since the show launched in 2008. “While it is an honour to serve as an ambassador for Relate Bracelets, it is also a...
Yesterday was the 22nd annual World Water Day, designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1993 to raise awareness of water-related issues worldwide. A life-changing product has been introduced to the South African market that converts contaminated water into safe drinking water. Click here for the full article.
The Vrede Foundation – founded by Herman Pretorius, who lost his battle to cancer eight days before his 30th birthday in 2015 – is dedicated to raising awareness, early detection, as well as funds for young South Africans with cancer. South African rock star and Pretorius’ close friend Francois Van Coke has partnered with Relate Bracelets to sell a...
It’s the time of year when love is in the air, all around and everywhere we go. There’s no avoiding it. Relate Bracelets has launched their new occasion bracelets, with the first currently available in selected CNA stores – all in the name of love, and just in time for the day of love itself Valentine’s Day. View full article...
For the first time, Relate Bracelets have designed a casual bracelet with the help of you, the public, through social media input. The winning bracelet, chosen from a vote on three options, is now available in selected Woolworths stores as part of their Wild About Elephants campaign – in aid of research into saving elephants. With the elephant...
T'is the season spread the love and give thanks for all our blessings… Now while it’s customary to hit the shopping malls around this time, Karisa from Cape Town My Love has put together a small roundup of gifting ideas that can really make a difference. Click here for the full article.
Aqua4Life, together with Relate Sea Point and Rotary international administered yet another social upliftment project on Thursday 11 December in Gugulethu. The implementation took place at the new Ikamva Labantu crèche and a Relate Bracelets Senior Club – Rainbow Community Centre and Crèche in the township, the second of +- 30 implementations to commence...
Teenagers get a bad rap for being self-absorbed and selfish all the time. If you’re sick of being lumped with a reputation you don’t deserve, use Christmas to quietly rebel against the label. Here are five ways for you to act selflessly at Christmas time. You won’t get Brownie points, but only conformists need Brownie points anyway. Clear out and...
Aqua4Life, together with Relate Sea Point and Rotary international administered yet another social upliftment project on Thursday, 11 December in Gugulethu. The implementation took place at the new Ikamva Labantu crèche and a Relate Bracelets Senior Club – Rainbow Community Centre and Crèche in the township. This is the second of around 30...
Relate, Rotary SafeWater Project, and Aqua4Life partnered in March 2012 with two fundamentals in mind: to provide clean and safe drinking water to communities in Southern Africa who need it and to uplift communities through social development initiatives. Together they recently they launched a new humanitarian project with Ikamva Labantu to install 30 LifeStraw community...
The festive season is a time for giving and for those with children, there’s nothing quite like seeing the joy on their faces when they open their presents at Christmas. But you can also use this time of year to teach your children a meaningful lesson – by giving them the gift of learning what it means to give to others. We’ve put together a list of...
JOHANNESBURG – Sixty-two year old Ian Fuhr is the unlikely baron of beauty salon chain, Sorbet – an idea birthed on a massage table ten years ago that today anticipates group turnover of R365 million for the year to February 2015. “In 2004, I was lying on a massage table having just sold my business to Edcon, when the beauty therapist suggested I look...
This article was first published by The Capetowner 03 December 2015 - click on the above image for full article.
World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people to unite globally in the fight against HIV and AIDS, show their support for people living with HIV / AIDS and to commemorate people who have died from the disease. Relate bracelets is currently partnered with four causes that are making a positive difference in the lives of those living with...
One of the most tangible Relate success stories of the year belongs, without a doubt, to the Relate SEW bracelet. SEW stands for Sorbet Empowering Women and one the most visibly empowered women of 2014 must surely be Zelma Matinise, a 24-year old woman from Masiphumelelo in Fishhoek. At the beginning of this year, Zelma was wondering how to keep supporting herself and...
The brand new Relate Mixed Stack is available online! Having listened to our amazing change-makers we know that this colourful mix of ten bracelets representing nine different causes is going to hit the spot this festive season. The wonderful thing about the Relate Mixed Stack is that it’s a gift that gives three times: once to...
Radio and TV personality Tracey Lange says it’s not just women who suffer from the baby blues. During global men’s health awareness campaign Movember, Lange is focusing on promoting awareness of men’s health issues, including depression – which also affects about 10 percent of new fathers. Bringing a new life into the world can be daunting for all...
Celebrating selling one million Relate Bracelets In celebration of selling one million hand-beaded bracelets, Relate Bracelets, a 100% not-for-profit social enterprise, is launching its new online store. Social enterprise developments are forging a greater path into the online space than ever before and Relate Bracelets aims to be the forerunner in this growing...
The United Nations recently launched Free & Equal – the first United Nations campaign promoting the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and intersex persons. The campaign aims to raise awareness of human rights abuses targeting LGBT people, and to ask people to take a stand for human rights for all people, regardless of sexual...
Tracey Lange, radio-aanbieder by Smile FM, wil tydens Movember bewusmaking oor mans en depressie bevorder. Movember, die internasionale bewusmakingsveldtog wat fokus op mans se gesondheid en ongeveer 4 miljoen snorre tot gevolg gehad het, is reeds in volle swang dié jaar. Hoewel die Movember-veldtog daarop fokus om bewusmaking om prostaat- en...
November 2014, Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal – This month saw Aqua4Life, the official distributors of LifeStraw® in southern Africa, in partnership with Protea Hotel and Rotary, deliver life saving water filters to schools and clinics in the Kwa-Zulu Natal rural town of Hluhluwe. Big 5 False Bay district Mayor Katherine Gumede was also present...
Cheetah to be Re-introduced Back onto Rietflei On 14 November 2014, in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, situated between Johannesburg and Pretoria, will reintroduce a male Cheetah into its 3 800ha reserve after a two year absence of Cheetahs from the reserve. The Cheetah will help to regulate the prey...
One way to sidestep the ghastly greed of “me me me” at Christmas time and tune into a deeper level of giving, is to try to make sure that the money that you are spending on your loved ones doesn’t just go towards something lovely for them, but does triple duty by also providing social upliftment opportunities and supporting charities at the same time....
'We struggled a lot when I was growing up,' remembers Abongile Ngalo. 'My uncle was the only one working and my grandmother received her pension. We were 10 people all living in a one-bedroom house. It was difficult.' But living in such arduous circumstances did not stop this dynamic young woman from wanting more. A SENSE OF PURPOSE After finishing Grade 11,...
Thousands of men around the world get their upper lip hairy in November to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues including prostate and testicular cancer. Besides signing up on www.movember.com and growing a Mo, this Movember you can also show your support for the cause by purchasing a Movember Relate bracelet. The new Mo Sista bracelet is made of...
South African corporates spent nearly R8 billion on corporate social investment last year. But this number belies the millions of South Africans plagued by what Tracey Henry, CEO of Tshikululu Social Investments, called "the triple dilemma of poverty, unemployment and inequality". Very few corporates know how to measure the impact their money is having in the longterm....
Corporates spent almost R8 billion on corporate social investment (CSI) last year, an increase of R6 billion in just 10 years. Attention to their CSI initiatives? Business smarts executive decision Are companies giving enough South African CSI spend has increased by R6 billion in the last 10 years This emerged earlier this year when Tshikululu Social Investment presented...
A #MoBro is nothing to do with Motown, or a mono-brow... though that's close, it refers to growing hair a little lower down on your face. If you've not taken part in the global #Movember trend before, here's why you should. Are you ready to become a 2014 #MoBro or #MoSista? Official definition of #MoBro aside, Movember's not just for the men. There's a...
Thousands of men around the world get their upper lip hairy in November to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues including prostate and testicular cancer. Besides signing up on www.movember.com and growing a Mo, this Movember you can also show your support for the cause by purchasing a Movember Relate bracelet. The new Mo Sista bracelet...
Thousands of men around the world get their upper lip hairy in November to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues including prostate and testicular cancer. Besides signing up on www.movember.com and growing a Mo, this Movember you can also show your support for the cause by purchasing a Movember Relate bracelet. The new Mo Sista bracelet is made of...
Thousands of men around the world get their upper lip hairy in November to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues including prostate and testicular cancer. Besides signing up on www.movember.com and growing a Mo, this Movember you can also show your support for the cause by purchasing a Movember Relate bracelet. The new Mo Sista bracelet is made of...
Besides growing a Mo to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues including prostate and testicular cancer, this Movember you can also show your support for the cause by purchasing a Relate bracelet, available at selected Woolworths stores nationwide. The new Mo Sista bracelet is made of vibrant tangerine beads and the Mo Bro bracelet is made of dark coconut...
Right, it’s almost time once again for the moustaches to come out in full force… because Movember is upon us ladies & gents. For those new to Movember (and I’m assuming you’ve been stuck in an underground chamber of sorts), it’s an annual campaign which kicks off on 1 November each year and aims to raise funds and...
For Donna Chait, 29, of Newlands a deferred dream will come true when she jets off to New York today to participate in the New York marathon as part of a team of six disabled South Africans. That is, barring another disaster like Hurricane Sandy, the category, 3 hurricane which in October 2012 caused enormous damage to the city and flooded streets, tunnels and subways. It...
Christmas Crackers are a much-loved tradition enjoyed in many parts of the world as an essential component of any good Christmas celebration.Crackers are a lot of fun to make, and you can personalise them with handmade gifts for your recipients. One of the gifts we suggest that will be essential in your homemade cracker is a Relate Bracelet. With a Relate Bracelet in...
They’re trendy and come in a range of colours, you definitely need to be wearing a stack of them on your arm this festive season. Relate is starting a movement for change this Christmas with its stylish hand-beaded bracelet stacks that will be the coolest thing under the tree. Known for their ‘R’ bead trademark,...
“Breast cancer is not just a women’s issue,” says Isidingo’s hot new bad boy Hamilton Radebe – or Anthony Oseyemi as he is known off-screen. Oseyemi has thrown his considerable charm behind Relate Bracelets’ PinkDrive bracelet campaign to raise awareness for breast health. “Men get breast cancer too. “But also, while...
Breast cancer is not just a women’s issue, says Isidingo ’s hot new bad boy Hamilton Radebe – or Anthony Oseyemi as he is known off-screen. Oseyemi has thrown his considerable charm behind Relate Bracelets’ PinkDrive bracelet campaign to raise awareness for breast health. "Men get breast cancer too says Oseyemi, "but also,...
During Movember, men around the globe unite, joined together by a common cause and commitment to 30 hairy days and nights growing for men’s health. It’s all about bringing back the moustache (Mo), having fun and doing good to change the face of men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Relate is proud to announce the two new...
Help raise breast awareness for breast health. Get your PinkDrive Relate Bracelet today! This stack of 10 bracelets is a mixture of five bright pink and five matt black bracelets, each with a pink accent bead. PinkDrive is a public benefit organisation powering South Africa's first mobile PinkDrive Mammography Unit and PinkDrive Educational Unit that travel around...
South African corporates spent almost R8 billion on corporate social investments last year. This is up from R2 billion spent in 2003. Of this, 41% went to propping up South Africa's ailing education system. According to the chief operating officer of local NGO Relate Bracelets, Neil Robinson, while it is encouraging that South African corporates are willing to spend the...
South African corporates spent almost R8-billion on corporate social investment last year. Without proper systems in place, much of that money could be trickling away and not doing the good that it is intended to do. Neil Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of Relate Bracelets, appeals to companies to make sure that their money is being put to good use. A few years ago,...
Meet Anthony Oseyemi. You’ve probably seen him recently on television acting as the mysterious, handsome, suave, wheeler-dealer, bad boy, Hamilton Radebe, on Isidingo, one of South Africa’s best-known soap operas. Relate Bracelets is proud to announce that Anthony has donned the cloak of a Relate Bracelet ambassador. The character he plays in the soap...
A group of 16 gogos from Ikamva Labantu Seniors Club in Gugulethu, Cape Town had the thrill of their lives on August 17 when they went to watch a Currie Cup rugby game between Western Province and the Blue Bulls at Newlands Stadium. The game, a first for the gogos whose seniors club is part of the Relate’s social upliftment business model, came about as a result of...
Protea Hotel Hluhluwe and Safaris in KwaZulu-Natal has donated R60 000 to rhino conservation in the past year and will continue its mission to combat rhino poaching in the lead up to Wold Rhino Day later this month. Daniel Tharratt, general manager of Protea Hotel Hluhluwe and Safaris, says the hotel’s efforts to combat the scourge of rhino poaching...
We took a closer look at Goodbye Malaria, an entrepreneurship initiative to fight malaria. Malaria is treatable and preventable, but it still claims the lives of nearly 655 000 people around the world every year. In October last year, a group of African entrepreneurs got together and decided it was time to eradicate the disease completely, while creating a sustainable...
Protea Hotel Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal has donated R60 000 to rhino conservation in the past year and will continue its mission to combat rhino poaching in the lead up to Wold Rhino Day later this month. Daniel Tharratt, General Manager of Protea Hotel Hluhluwe and Safaris, says the hotel’s efforts to combat the scourge of rhino poaching is a passion for each...
Don your red, black, white and grey and show that you know how to help stop rhino poaching. 22 September is World Rhino Day and it can be hard to decide where your charitable instincts should be channelled. Buy an Endangered Wildlife Trust Rhino bracelet and you’ll be donating in not one, but two, highly valuable ways. Make sure you buy the right...
Neil Robinson says few corporates know how to measure the impac of their social responsibility money. South African corporates spent almost R8 billion on corporate social investment (CSI) last year. On the other hand, funding for non-profit organisations is drying up, with almost 40 percent less funding available for NPOs than previously. Crunched between these...
GLAMOUR: Tell us more about your character on Isidingo , Hamilton Radebe? Anthony: Hamilton is a smooth charmer of a character. He is enigmatic and mysterious; a slick dresser, very into his suits and ties. Professionally, he is a prominent business adviser, who worked his way out of poverty into a lavish lifestyle. Younger woman view him as the ideal...
Micro-franchising is a way for companies to grow their brands while developing a new generation of entrepreneurs. Social entrepreneurship pursues innovative solutions to social problems. Micro-franchising is one such solution and its efficacy is gaining traction in Cape Town where the combined efforts of for-profit and not-for-profit organisations have resulted in four...
Spring is just around the corner and we have the perfect accessory to jazz up your wardrobe. Hot pink and fabulous these new bracelets are not only eye-catching but a visible connector to PinkDrive, South Africa’s best loved cancer community carer. PinkDrive’s aim is to provide education on breast health, free clinical breast examinations and mammograms to...
An outing with plenty of fun "WE WERE so excited we couldn't sleep the night before," said Nora Venge (60). She and 15 other gogos watched a Currie Cup rugby game on Saturday between Western Province (WP) and the Blue Bulls at Newlands stadium. The gogos, from Relate Bracelets in New Crossroads, watched their first live game at a stadium after they won a Bead-off event...
WESTERN Province takes on the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cul i tomorrow - who could ask for }pore? Well, Province captain Juan de Jongh and his men believe they can, when they run on to the field at Newlands tomorrow. De Jongh says his team will have greater motivation from kick-off because they took part in a very special project with ver special people -and they have the...
Nandipha Bambiso, Thembisa Zine Tenza, Lauren Gillis, Divya Vasant, Zelma Matinise and Pumza Magaleni Dudula For four young Capetonians, women’s empowerment is not a vague, academic concept, but a very real thing: each is about to become her own micro-franchisee in the first micro-franchising project in South Africa. Nandipha Bambiso,Thembisa Zine...
The new Helping Hands Trust bracelet is now available at Clicks. This hand beaded bracelet raises awareness and funds for the provision of free services such as baby wellness and nutritional advice, baby weighing, family planning medication and advice. As approximately a third of the proceeds from the sale of these bracelets is allocated to the Helping Hand Trust, the...
Micro-franchisees fired up to spread their services to the townships FOR four young Capetonians, women's empowerment is not a vague, academic concept, but - by Women's Day this year - a very real thing: each is about to become her own micro-franchisee in the first microfranchising project of its type in South Africa. Nandipha Bambiso, Them- bisa Zine Tenza, Pumza...
Not a day goes by in South Africa when people are not approached to make a donation to charity, be it on street level or via registered organisations, but how do we choose who to give to? With so many hands held out and limited resources, how does the average citizen make an informed choice as to the best use of his or her precious ‘donations?’ Not all...
LAUREN GILLIS IS WELL KNOWN IN CAPE TOWN AND OUT. A SOCIAL worker whose reputation as a do-gooder and a go-getter precedes her, I heard that over and above everything she does, she is also training for the New York Marathon in November (not her first time doing it, I might add). Now, as you have read in many of my previous articles, I vacillate between being a lover of...
This video teaser is just a taste of what to expect on Top Billing, SABC 3 this Sunday 3 August 2014 at 12pm. Stormers players Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt Coleman, Juan de Jongh and Nic Groom went up against the best – a group of nimble-fingered gogos – to see who could bead more bracelets for Mandela Day 2014. “As the first Mandela Day since Tata...
Cheskin Kolbe, Juan de Jongh and Nic Groom went up against the best. A group of nimble fingered gogos to see who could bid more bracelets for Mandela Day. Original broadcast was first published on 31 July 2014 by SABC3 Top Billing http://www.topbilling.com/
The new Operation Smile bracelet has just been launched, which means you are now able to make an impact on the world, one smile at a time and support the transformation of the life of a child born with cleft palate, giving them the chance for a normal, healthy and productive future. Cleft palate is the fourth most common birth defect in the world, after heart defects,...
Cape Town – Cape Town grannies are doing their bit for Mandela Day, proving that no matter your age you can still make a difference. In the run-up to Mandela Day, a group of senior citizens gathered at a centre in New Crossroads, Cape Town, to take part in a bead-a-thon. The event organised by non-profit organisation Relate, aimed to show that just...
Cape Town - Four of South Africa's finest rugby players found themselves beaten on Tuesday - by a group of senior citizens in Gugulethu, Cape Town - but all in the name of Nelson Mandela, according to the Stormers' website . Yes, this was not a battle on a rugby pitch; it was instead a ‘bead-off’ for Cape-Town based social enterprise Relate...
Four of South Africa's finest rugby players found themselves beaten on Tuesday - by a group of senior citizens in Gugulethu, Cape Town - but all in the name of Nelson Mandela, according to the Stormers' website . Yes, this was not a battle on a rugby pitch; it was instead a ‘bead-off’ for Cape-Town based social enterprise Relate Bracelets at the IKamva...
A group South Africa’s finest rugby players found themselves hopelessly beaten today – by a group of senior citizens in Gugulethu, Cape Town. But this wasn’t a rugby pitch battle; it was instead a Bead-Off for Cape-Town based social enterprise Relate Bracelets at the IKamva Labantu Noluthando 1 Seniors Club in New Cross Roads as a fun event to...
A group South Africa’s finest rugby players found themselves hopelessly beaten today – by a group of senior citizens in Gugulethu, Cape Town. DHL Stormers Rugby players Nic Groom, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt Coleman and Juan De Jongh doing their 67 minutes for Mandela Day But this wasn’t a rugby pitch battle; it was instead a Bead-Off for Cape-Town...
Every year on 18 July, the Nelson Mandela Foundation asks people around the world to devote 67 minutes of their time – one minute for every year of Mr Mandela’s public service – to something that helps and serves others. This year, for our 67 minutes, we are honouring the senior citizens who thread the beads for our bracelets at the IKamva Labantu...
You don’t need to wear rhinestones to support rhino conservation in style! Every woman – and man! – deserves to feel fashionable, and spring is the best time to re-invent yourself. And, if you’re a trend-setter with a conscience, this Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) Rhino Project bracelet from Relate Bracelets is the perfect accessory for the...
SA Weddings recently attended the launch of Relate bracelets’ online store and celebration of their 1 millionth bracelet sale. Now for those of you who don’t know, Relate is a 100% not-for-profit social enterprise which creates opportunities for unemployed men and women through the making and selling of beautiful hand-beaded bracelets. These hand-beaded...
Soon after reaching their millionth-bracelet-sold mark, Cape Town-based social enterprise Relate Bracelets decided to take a look at the overall impact of the R17.5 million raised in funds so far. When lives are being changed on so many different levels, exact numbers are hard to calculate – the following are estimates based on funds disbursed and...
Youth Day is coming up on 16 June, and while it may sound like a cliché, young people are our future – literally. So what’s being done to empower youth today? Much has been written about South Africa’s worryingly high school drop-out rate. The high rate of unemployment among young people, while an effect of the recession, is also connected...
June is Youth Month and in honour of Youth Day (16 June 2014) we encourage you to wear your Amy Biehl Foundation bracelet as a symbol of your support in the development, empowerment and education of our youth. Click here to read the full article.
A ‘Live Design. Transform Life’ bracelet was recently launched and featured on House and Leisure online. Click here to read the full article.
An organisation promoting hand-beaded bracelets has helped empower many young women and helped them pay for further education and training. To read the full article click here
Father’s Day is just around the corner (15 June 2014) so why not get your Dad something a little different? Old Khaki has a unique Relate bracelet that is handmade with dark wooden beads, giving it a masculine look and feel. Not only will you be supporting our local bracelet-makers with earning and upskilling opportunities; proceeds also go towards the Ikamva...
Soon after reaching our millionth-bracelet-sold mark, we decided to take a look at the overall impact of the R17.5 million raised in funds so far. When lives are being changed on so many different levels, exact numbers are hard to calculate – the following are estimates based on funds disbursed and approximate costs given by the organisations that Relate...
May was a month of making dreams come true with the Reach For A Dream Foundation. We would like to thank everyone for all their support and involvement in helping to fulfill the dreams of some very special children as well as helping our bracelet-makers’ achieve their goals. Through the sale of The Reach For a Dream Foundation bracelet funds are raised...
This June is Youth Month and we’ll be focusing on The Amy Biehl Foundation. By providing after-school programmes in a safe environment, The Amy Biehl Foundation aims to develop well-rounded young people who make positive life choices and become contributing members of society. To date the Amy Biehl Foundation has been running for over 20 years and makes a difference...
We often get asked which stores sell Relate bracelets so we compiled a list of our retail stockists and some information on the beneficiaries that they support. In addition to raising funds for all these worthy causes the purchase of any Relate bracelet also provides funds towards earning and upskilling opportunities for our local bracelet-makers, as well as...
Click here to read the PDF.
Marriott International has sent 5 000 Relate Bracelets to all four corners of the earth to celebrate its purchase of the Protea Hospitality Group, and in the process secured clean drinking water for some 100 African families, or approximately 500 people, for the next three years. Click here to read the full article.
This month Marriott International sent 5 000 small pieces of Africa to all four corners of the earth to celebrate its purchase of the Protea Hospitality Group, and in the process secured clean drinking water for some 100 African families, or approximately 500 people, for the next three years. The 5 000 Relate Bracelets – hand-beaded by senior citizens in...
Click here to read PDF version.
Lauren Gillis, co-founder of social initiative Relate Bracelets, says it is important for companies to ensure the money they invest goes where it is intended. She says skills and enterprise development are the best areas for investment. Click here to read the full article.
The birth of Relate Bracelets is a unique story indeed, and starts with a vision of co-founder Lauren Gillis. Born and raised in Johannesburg, Lauren was instilled with a strong commitment to humanity and social justice from an early age. She studied social work at the University of the Witwatersrand, and has dedicated herself to helping others for more than 30 years,...
On April 3 rd we celebrated Jane Goodall’s milestone birthday, the world renowned chimpanzee expert and founder of the not-for-profit Jane Goodall Institute (JGI). What better way to celebrate the birthday of this amazing woman and chimpanzee warrior than wearing a Chimp Eden bracelet stack? The Jane Goodall Institute bracelets support the rehabilitation,...
At this year’s Design Indaba fashion show Goodbye Malaria took to the ramp. The shweshwe pyjama bottoms where teamed up with trendy Goodbye Malaria bracelets , showing off the fashionable side of the good cause. By buying and wearing Goodbye Malaria bracelets you are helping to raise funds for Goodbye Malaria to eliminate malaria through...
Be a trend setter in these oh-so-stylish Goodbye Malaria pyjamas and fashionable Relate bracelets. Click here to see the full article.
Did you know that April is World Malaria Month? World Malaria Day is on 25 April, and Relate has joined worldwide efforts in the fight against this life-threatening illness. We urge everyone to stand together in solidarity to make a real impact. Even though malaria is preventable, treatable and eradicable, it still kills one child in Africa every 60 seconds, and claims...
For PDF version please click here .
Next week is National Water Week when we are reminded of the worth of water and awareness is raised about sustainable use to preserve this precious resource. To read the article in full, download it here .
Relate Bracelets launched its latest design, the Live Design Transform Life bracelet, at this year’s Design Indaba in Cape Town. The Live Design. Transform Life. bracelets are made from bright yellow beads and are elegantly simple. The inspiration behind their bright, one colour design is the notion that small, simple things actually do have the power to...
Providing access to clean water is one of Africa’s greatest challenges. Through the consumption of unsafe drinking water tens of thousands of children die each year from water-borne diseases. South Africa is no exception. But there is a solution. LifeStraws are portable water filters that remove all bacteria and parasites from water, and have changed lives around the...
Relate Bracelets has launched its latest design, the Live Design Transform Life bracelet, at the Design Indaba which is currently underway in Cape Town. The Live Design Transform Life bracelet is a hand-beaded item of jewellery that functions as an on-trend accessory, while at the same time facilitating social change by connecting people to causes that make a...
Using the mechanism of a simple string of beads made and sold through an uniquely sustainable business model, Relate Cause Bracelets creates opportunities that change lives. As a show of our commitment to transparency and accountability, each handmade Relate bracelet comes with a signature “R” bead of authenticity. Approximately a third of the proceeds of each...
Are you tired of giving (or receiving) the same Valentine’s Day gift year after year? Those red roses may be beautiful but why not choose a gift that actually lives long passed this annual occasion. Relate Bracelets offer statement stacks that are fashionable accessories for men and women which symbolise the essence of sharing the love every day. Become a change-maker...
As Valentine’s Day approaches, there’s no better time to state our commitment to encourage people to love regardless of colour, creed or gender. Equality is a cornerstone of South African society and the United Nations (UN) Free & Equal initiative. We share our values of responsibility and respect with the rest of the world. Many of our...
South Africa still has desperate poverty, which often goes hand in hand with social ills such as alcohol and drug abuse. Relate has taken the initiative to do its part in the fight against poverty through the sale of awareness bracelets. Relate Bracelets is a 100% not-for-profit organisation that has been making a difference in the lives of hundreds of people in the past...
It’s through the desire of thousands of people to join the movement for change that Relate has sold a million bracelets and with the recent launch of its online shop, it hopes to sell the next million twice as quickly! The proceeds from Relate Bracelets go towards the earnings and upskilling of our bracelet-makers, enterprise development initiatives, as well as...
On Thursday, 6 February, just two months shy of her milestone birthday, chimpanzee researcher and activist Dr Jane Goodall delivered the Vice-Chancellor's Open Lecture to a packed Baxter Theatre Centre about her work and commitment, not only to chimpanzees but to protecting our natural environment. This short video shows Lauren Gillis addressing the audience after Dr...
Celebrate the fight against malaria in your must have, trend setting Goodbye Malaria pyjama’s and bracelets on World Malaria day 25th April . Click here for the full article
Click here to read full article.
Watch out for this February’s Get It Magazine, as it features Relate Co-Founder Lauren Gillis amongst the Cape Town “Movers and Shakers”. In the article Lauren talks about her passions and what motivates her. We are grateful to the Get It Magazine team for the exposure this gives to our cause bracelets. To read the article in full, download it...
Tracey Lange is a Relate Ambassador and here she is wearing the Sorbet Empowering Women Stack available from Sorbet Salons. The Western Cape’s Smile FM radio personality and national TV presenter Tracey Lange has been wearing the change she wants to see. Her desire to make a difference is what encouraged her involvement with Relate Bracelets, a...
To read the full article click here .
Living in this beautiful country of ours, we are often faced with many heartbreaking stories of the suffering of others. Many times we feel helpless, as the problem seems so much bigger than us. Lauren Adams, from Cape Town, found that through Relate bracelets, she could realise her own goal of making a difference in the lives of others, one bead at a time. She...
The holiday season is the time of year when we should be sharing a lot more with our friends and families than just gifts for gifts sake. Instead, share a gift that keeps on giving. Here are four reasons why Relate bracelets, with our signature “R” bead, make memorable festive season gifts – and help you share a little cheer with family and friends...
Relate Bracelets has reached a major milestone of selling 1 million hand-beaded bracelets since registering as a trust in April 2010. This has resulted in close to R16 million being raised over three and a half years. Aimed at changing lives, the proceeds from these one million Relate bracelets have gone towards investing in the earnings and upskilling of our...
“[Globally] more than 2 million adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years are living with HIV, and many do not receive the care and support that they need to stay in good health and prevent transmission .” World Health Orgnisation (WHO) 01, Decmeber, 2013. In a country with the highest rate of HIV infection, we should all be doing our part, this World...
Cancer is a rocky road of ups and downs not only for those diagnosed with the disease, but their support systems too. “I could never successfully convey to anyone what emtional turmoil my family went through during those four years. They were tough and beautiful, rough and delicate, painful and triumphant all at once.” Lize De Jonge, Breast Cancer...
1. It is a scary thought that in a few years’ time we might no longer have a rhino species to appreciate. We are currently facing the reality that is the Big 4. Not everyone can afford to donate thousands of rands to this worthy cause, however if we all contribute what we can and raise awareness, together we can make a tangible difference. One of the ways...
It is a reality that not many of our grandfathers and grandmothers can survive on the pension grant the State provides. They receive R1 260 each month, which is especially hard to make ends meet with if you are supporting your unemployed children and young grandchildren. While many have forgotten the oldies that have played such an important role in their lives as...
Relate Bracelets, in partnership with The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), has developed a collector’s range of beautifully beaded bracelets. Each bracelet has been developed to help protect a specific threatened species. The range includes bracelets that support the ongoing fight to save the Cheetah, Wild Dog, Dugong and the Rhino species – and gives...
This August marks the twentieth anniversary of Amy Biehl’s untimely death. This gives us a perfect opportunity to reflect on the past twenty years in South Africa, whilst looking towards the next twenty. Amy was an American Fulbright studying at the University of the Western Cape, whose love for South Africa and its people was unequivocal. She...
The launch of the Young Designers Emporium’s exciting Summer/Spring range last week saw the introduction of their new, trendy Relate bracelets that come in various colours, from fresh blues and greens to earthy reds and golds. These sun-inspired bracelets are sure to brighten your wardrobe for the last of the cold winter days and complement your summer style when the...
In South Africa we have fought for our rights. The 9 th of August marks the day, 57 years ago, in 1956 when women marched to the union buildings in Pretoria to stand up for women’s rights – this was a momentous occasion where the role of women, in our country’s struggle for freedom, was established. Women all over the world are still fighting for the...
On the sixteenth of June 1976, school children in Soweto protested to learning in Afrikaans at their schools. The apartheid police opened fire on the crowd, killing an estimated 176 youth. In South Africa, as a result of apartheid and bantu education laws, we are left with ‘the lost generation’ – young adults who are under-skilled and cannot find work,...
On days like today, we fondly remember time spent with our fathers, as well as the many skills they’ve taught us throughout our childhood. This Father’s Day you can pay it forward. By giving your dad the gift of a Relate bracelet from Old Khaki stores, you will be helping to provide fellow South Africans with skills and enterprise development opportunities...
We are delighted to see action from celebrity icons internationally to save Africa’s wildlife. Prince William’s plea; “to respect the world that we have inherited” resonates strongly with our organization. Relate, along with wildlife organisations Endangered Wildlife Trust and Wildlife ACT are playing their part to end wildlife crime through...
Today Lauren Gillis, the founder of Relate bracelets was awarded the Paul Harris certificate of exceptional service to the community by Stanley Abrahamson, president of the Rotary Club of Sea Point. “ Rotary likes to acknowledge people who do outstanding work in the community. Rotary Clubs have various options of acknowledgement. The highest award, which Lauren...
Congratulations to Paul Priso! Paul has completed his second football coaching qualification, and now works part time at Herzlia Primary School and Camps Bay Soccer Club, coaching the U11s teams. Paul is a Relate bracelet finisher. Coming from Cameroon, Paul had the hope to become a professional soccer player in South Africa. “After following my dream training...
Today Woolworths, in partnership with Relate Bracelets and MyPlanet, launched its new bracelet range called Every Paw Print Counts in aid of endangered species. “We are excited about this new initiative which will expand our range of products sold in aid of various causes and will take it a step further in that the sale of bracelets will include the added...
Relate is a South African not-for-profit social enterprise that creates opportunities to change lives by employing the elderly, refugees, and unemployed township youth to earn an income and gain on-the-job training. This post is written by Lauren Gillis , the co-founder of Relate and the trust’s full-time champion. She formed Relate in 2004,...
It’s always awesome to see a celebrity sporting your colours. Here’s Randy Jackson judging on idols and he’s wearing our very own Relate United Against Malaria bracelet. A great choice – this bracelet supports our bracelet makers through earnings, up skilling and investing in local enterprise development initiatives, as well as contributing a...
Today is an exciting one for Abongile, she is graduating from Robin Trust with a caring course. This is a step in the right direction to Abongile’s vision of becoming a nurse. Since 2010, Abongile has been a Relate bracelet-maker. “When I was in Primary school, I looked after my sick grandmother. Seeing how I was able to make a difference in her life,...
Are you stymied on stocking stuffers? Feeling uncreative for Kwanzaa? Need inspiration for that seventh night of Chanukah? Look no further… here are a few ideas to take care of everyone on your list and make the world a better place at the same time. What could be better than that? 1. Bednets and Bracelets: Imagine if every time you went camping...
As a native of Ireland, I can attest to “football (soccer) fever” and the power that soccer has to capture the attention of people of all ages, and from all walks of life. Throughout Africa, the passion for soccer is taken to another level—players are not only stars on the global stage, but role models in their local communities. This is why the ...
Soccer icons, township grandmothers and Nando’s workers are uniting to defeat Africa’s biggest killer. Tourists can help by buying a simple string of beads.
Inspired by the FIFA World Cup™ in Africa, United Against Malaria Brings Together Soccer Stars, Policy Makers, Celebrities, Corporations, Faith Leaders and Students in a Series of Events to Help Reach the United Nations Target of Universal Access to Mosquito Nets and Malaria Medicine in Africa by the End of 2010 WASHINGTON , April 19...
JOHANNESBURG, Dec 2 2009 (IPS) - Growing up in Cameroon, Joseph-Antoine Bell and his friends used to think that by playing football they could get rid of malaria. Charles Ssali (r) and Joseph-Antoine Bell are two footballers supporting a campaign using sport to help fight malaria. Credit: Saaleha Bamjee-Mayet “Like showering and breathing,...
