Thousands of Litres of Fertiliser are Set to Change Lives Across SA

Photo Credit: HOT 102.7 FM via Facebook

Through a generous donation of thousands of litres of organic fertiliser, Hot Cares has empowered the Humanitarian Empowerment Fund to continue helping communities grow fresh food, create jobs, and break the cycle of hunger with dignity.

Johannesburg, South Africa (28 October 2026) – What do thousands of litres of chicken manure have to do with making a meaningful difference? Judging by this next story, quite a lot!

Through its Teddython initiative, Hot Cares is helping 41 organisations across South Africa grow fresh food, support vulnerable families, and build more sustainable communities.

One of those organisations is the Humanitarian Empowerment Fund (HEF). Founded in 1986 by Clete Stevis alongside his wife, Luzette Stevis, HEF addresses hunger and food insecurity in communities across South Africa. They have made a lasting impact, and when Hot Cares saw the work they were doing and its sustainability, the team knew they had to connect with them.

Today, HEF feeds about 3,000 children before they go to school. They also manage 51 sustainable vegetable gardens at community centres and schools across the country, where children and community members are taught to plant, grow, and sell their own food. Since 2019, HEF has established 60 businesses, expanded four ECD centres, and assisted 2,000 youth in securing jobs through its impressive green economy.

Hot Cares was particularly struck by HEF’s sustainable approach to addressing food insecurity and breaking the cycle of hunger in a way that brings dignity and respect back to families in need.

To support the ongoing work required to run HEF’s many gardens, last week Hot Cares donated 2,933 litres of organic liquid chicken manure fertiliser to the value of R110,000! Clete describes the support as a blessing that will make a world of difference, noting that fertiliser is a huge expense and their gardens are shade-netted to guard against pests and rodents.

Thanks to an extraordinary donation worth R450,000 from Nan Moodley Garden and Agriculture at last year’s Teddython, Hot Cares is empowering organisations that are supporting the vulnerable and building sustainable communities.

This is what makes Teddython so special: a single donation continues to make a difference long after the broadcast ends, creating opportunities and changing lives throughout the year.