In celebration of Mandela Day, South African businessman and philanthropist Zunaid Moti has launched his 2025 Winter Blanket Drive, aiming to distribute 20,000 blankets to vulnerable communities nationwide as freezing temperatures grip the country.
This week, the Moti Cares Foundation, in collaboration with Meals on Wheels, brought much-needed warmth to hundreds of residents in Turffontein. Through this partnership, 500 people received steaming hot meals and the soft comfort of thick blankets.
The handover, held on July 10, is part of the broader Moti Cares Winter Drive—an annual initiative driven by Zunaid Moti. This year’s campaign targets the distribution of 20,000 blankets and thousands of food items to vulnerable communities across South Africa during the cold winter months.
“There’s no dignity in being cold and hungry. We believe in showing up consistently, again and again, for those people who often get overlooked or feel forgotten,” said Zunaid Moti, founder of Moti Cares. “The winter drive is about kindness, care, and reminding people they matter.”
In partnership with Meals on Wheels, a non-profit organisation with a 61-year legacy of giving, the Turffontein initiative ensured that the most vulnerable received not only warm meals and fresh bread, but blankets as well. By working with established organisations like Meals on Wheels, Moti Cares guarantees that donations are delivered swiftly and respectfully, with a local approach guiding each step.
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“A warm meal can uplift someone for a day, but a warm blanket can bring comfort for an entire season. Through partnerships like this one with Moti Cares, we’re able to extend our impact far beyond food and reach people in a more holistic way,” commented a Meals on Wheels representative.
The Winter Drive has now passed the halfway point, with more than 10,000 blankets and loaves of bread distributed since June. The campaign will continue every weekend until the end of August, reaching new locations each week. From informal settlements to hospitals and neighbourhoods nominated via social media, each handover brings Moti Cares one step closer to its goal of distributing 20,000 blankets.
Moti Cares Foundation remains focused on creating long-term social impact. Zunaid Moti is personally committed to uplifting communities in a way that goes beyond charity, fostering human connections that truly make a difference.
“If we can help someone feel seen, even for a moment, we’ve done our job,” Moti added.
