Across four radio stations and four incredible charities, 

 delivered unforgettable moments, life-changing wins, and waves of impact across South Africa.

What made this campaign truly special wasn’t just the excitement on air, but the difference it created off air. From 

, listeners tuned in, played along, and showed up with heart — with every entry supporting a charity making a meaningful difference in its community, turning festive fun into tangible support and lasting hope.

Together, we raised a total of R7,547,500.

Here’s how listeners rallied behind each cause:


Gauteng listeners helped extend the reach of one of South Africa’s most loved outreach initiatives, enabling urgent relief and everyday acts of kindness for families facing unexpected challenges.


On 947, support poured in for Save Seven and their Life Pod Project — advancing life-saving intervention for organ transplants and helping expand access to more provinces across South Africa.


In KZN, listeners showed up day after day to support The Big Favour, making it possible for the programme to continue helping people through some of life’s toughest moments.


In the Western Cape, listeners supported a charity that strengthens paediatric care across the country, helping ensure children have access to the medical support they need.

Listeners won big, but South Africa won even bigger by backing causes that uplift thousands of lives.

Thank you to every player, every partner, and every charity who helped make 

Santa's Stash 2025

In every classroom, behind every smile, there’s a story one of resilience, healing, and hope. This year, in the heart of Bonnievale, those stories found new beginnings through the care and compassion made possible by our partnership with 

Where once the ratio for state social workers stood at 1:23,000, it has now improved to 1:440, thanks to the dedication of local youth trained as Care Facilitators in Mental Health First Aid — all of whom graduated this year as Social Auxiliary Workers equipped with the skills to serve the very communities they come from.

Throughout the year, learners have grown in confidence and emotional awareness, educators have received vital support, and schools have embraced the message that mental wellbeing is the foundational pre-requisite for effective learning and thriving.

Through CK’s Care Programme, new opportunities were created for young women in the community to become Care Facilitators, working alongside Care Practitioners to offer vital support to learners and educators through their twinning model.

“CK means an incredible amount to our school and community. We can’t imagine what it was like without you. Thank you for knowing what to do and stepping in when we needed you the most.” 

“The work of Community Keepers is only possible with the wholehearted buy-in and support of our partner schools and funders. Thank you to The Star Foundation for your trust, time, and care. We value this partnership deeply and celebrate what we have achieved together for the wellbeing of learners and school communities.”

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect with deep gratitude on a year that has transformed the education journeys of over 3,000+ learners in the region. By bringing mental health support to 11 schools in the Bonnievale cluster, this year has been all about ensuring that every child now has access to a safe space and a trusted person to turn to every single day. Together, we’re building a legacy of care, dignity, and hope.

Community Keepers

Some days sparkle a little brighter—and Tuesday, 30 September was one of them.

At the Conservatory in Rosebank, Market Day brought together three incredible organizations—

—for a celebration of creativity, courage, and community. The building was alive with music, and the unmistakable energy of people doing what they love.

From the moment the music started playing. and the dance steps hit the ground, you could feel it was going to be special. Sally’s Workshop opened with a choreographed dance and singing by their talented performers, followed by a poetry reading that was both moving and empowering.

“From handwoven bags to original artwork and more, every item on the tables was crafted with care and pride. Potted succulents and freshly grown vegetables added a touch of green to the scene. Just a few steps away, the delicious smell of hotdogs filled the air, prepared by the beneficiaries of Sally’s Workshop. Through these micro-enterprises the workshop’s beneficiaries are able to earn an income, making the project sustainable and helping to support the running of the workshop.”

And that wasn’t all. Little Eden and Bethany Home brought their own magic to the day. From homegrown pecan nuts to beautifully handmade laptop bags, salt scrubs, and more the diversity of products reflected the diversity of the people behind them.

Market Day was a chance for beneficiaries to put their skills into action—selling products they’ve made, building confidence, and learning what it’s like to run a small business. These micro-enterprises will continue to be nurtured and developed beyond the day itself, but this first step—filled with practice, learning, and even a little seed money—was a powerful beginning.

Stay tuned throughout November as we share more about each of these incredible organizations and the inspiring work they do.

At the Conservatory

R100,000 donation gives 14-year-old Felicity a chance at a pain-free, independent future

 contributed R100,000 towards the surgery of 14-year-old Felicity Ncube, who has been diagnosed with severe scoliosis – a painful curvature of the spine that threatens her mobility and independence.

Felicity’s journey is one of remarkable courage. Born without arms or legs and abandoned shortly after birth, she was taken in by 

, a place of safety and love for abandoned children. Despite her challenges, Felicity has learned to move around independently, hopping and using her wheelchair to navigate life with determination and joy.

Now facing a new obstacle, Felicity requires urgent spinal surgery to relieve pain and prevent her condition from worsening. Thanks to the generosity of compassionate doctors and medical professionals offering their services 

, and the support of caring partners, she will soon undergo a procedure that will transform her quality of life.

She dreams of becoming a motivational speaker one day, using her story to inspire others to rise above hardship and embrace hope. Her courage reminds us all that strength is not defined by circumstance, but by spirit.

Because every story of hope deserves a helping hand.

Empowering Felicity

Emergency Surgery Project Delivers Life-Changing Care at Groote Schuur Hospital

 has made remarkable strides in delivering emergency orthopaedic surgeries to trauma patients who would otherwise face long delays.

 project set out to deliver 70 additional emergency theatre lists over 12 months. With R1.8 million in funding from LottoStar to the 

, the project is on track to support 60 lists.

From June to September, 16 emergency theatre lists were completed, resulting in 53 patients receiving surgery—exceeding the estimated average of three patients per list. A total of 56 procedures were performed, including multi-stage operations for 12 patients. The most common surgeries involved ankle and upper-limb fracture fixations, reflecting the high incidence of trauma-related injuries.

Despite scheduling and staffing constraints during the winter months, the surgical team is actively trailing additional weekend lists and doubling up weekly sessions to close the gap and accelerate delivery.

The patients treated during this period came from a wide range of communities across Cape Town highlighting the importance of ensuring equal access to emergency care for all.

“The Emergency Surgery lists have made a massive difference to our waiting times for orthopaedic trauma cases. We manage to process an additional 3+ patients every week thanks to the additional weekly list.” — 

Maritz Laubscher, Associate Professor, Trauma Limb Reconstruction

This initiative has not only helped more patients get the surgeries they need, but it’s also reduced waiting times and allowed the hospital to treat more trauma cases each week transforming lives through timely care.

We are proud to partner with Groote Schuur Hospital and look forward to seeing the full impact of this project unfold in the months ahead.

Groote Schuur

At Vumuthando Primary School near Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, a remarkable transformation has taken place — one that goes far beyond construction. This change is about respect, safety, and giving every child a secure environment in which to learn and thrive.

For years, learners and teachers faced hazardous pit toilets — outdated facilities that posed serious health risks and often forced children to avoid using them, losing valuable learning time.

’s Toilet Campaign is so vital. Across South Africa, this initiative is replacing unsafe toilets with modern, sustainable sanitation facilities designed to protect wellbeing, support inclusivity, and foster equality. For Vumuthando Primary, this campaign — supported by The Star Foundation, LottoStar, and East Coast Radio through the Fortune Frenzy has been life changing.

Together, generous listeners helped raise an incredible R859,500 — enough to replace the school’s toilets with clean, safe, and sustainable facilities for 259 learners and 15 staff members. Each unit features waterless and low-flush systems, designed for ease of use and environmental sustainability. Regular inspections and septic tank servicing are included for up to five years, ensuring lasting benefits for the school community.

Today, the new toilets are in use, giving learners the comfort and confidence to focus on their education without fear or discomfort. The facilities also promote gender equality and inclusivity, offering safe access for all learners — girls and children with disabilities alike.

Breadline Africa’s Toilet Campaign is about more than construction it’s about restoring dignity, protecting health, and creating environments where children can thrive. Across South Africa, the organisation continues its mission to ensure more schools receive the same care, giving every child a safe and dignified space to learn.

The official handover at Vumuthando Primary took place on 21 October, marking a brighter chapter for the school and demonstrating the impact of collective action.

Building Dignity

Dané’s Year So Far: Big Adventures and New Milestones 💖

“Courage, curiosity, and laughter — Dané, one of our youngest Jumping Kids beneficiaries, has already filled this year with exciting firsts and proud moments.”

“Her biggest step so far? Moving from her cot into her very own big-girl bed!”

And the milestones just kept coming, from dancing, running, climbing, and even kicking a ball with her prosthetic leg. She also completed her very first competition, proudly receiving a certificate to celebrate the achievement.

At home, Dané is surrounded by love, laughter, and plenty of fun. She’s learning to count, speak in full sentences, and play with her dolls, while her best friend Jacky the dog is never far from her side. Mealtimes are full of favourites like “slap chips” sprinkled with Aromat, playful veggie-eating games with Grandma, and even helping out in the kitchen (with the occasional broken plate!).

“People often tell her she’s brave and that her prosthetic leg is pretty cool too.”

Through it all, Jumping Kids has been by her side, supporting her every step of the way, from practical help that keeps her moving to the encouragement that cheers her on. Dané’s courage shows up in the sweetest ways. She’s even managed to get over her fear of visits with Oom Johan at Jumping Kids, something that once seemed scary but now feels like just another fun step along the way.

“It's been a year full of laughter, learning, and big adventures, with so many exciting moments, we’re loving every step of her journey so far!”

Dané’s Year So Far

 — three powerful weeks of big prizes, with entrants playing for a purpose. With R1 Million in cash up for grabs every weekday, this wasn’t just about winning — it was about making a life-changing difference.

In partnership with The Star Foundation, all proceeds from Big September are going directly towards surgical equipment and consumables for 

at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital — the largest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere, and a lifeline for thousands of children in need of life-saving operations.

Every month, a small team of just five paediatric surgeons performs over 200 operations — from delicate neonatal procedures to urgent life-saving interventions. These surgeries simply cannot happen without specialised equipment and consumables which, in many cases, are not available at public hospitals.

This is where Big September stepped in. Thanks to your support, the funds raised will contribute to

, touching the lives of hundreds of young children who now have hope for a brighter, healthier future.

💛 Big September wasn’t just about winning cash — it was about providing world-class medical care and saving little lives.

Jumping Kids

Empowering Mobility and Confidence