How a local empowerment movement turned a charity golf day into a powerful community moment, raising over R218 000 to kickstart a youth-focused foundation
Johannesburg, South Africa (07 December 2025) – The energy at Bryanston Country Club recently felt less like a formal fundraiser and more like a celebration of what happens when a community decides to invest in its young people. That’s where over R218 000 was raised at the inaugural golf day marking the launch of the Unconventional Hearts Foundation, a new youth-focused charity born out of Unconventional CA’s passion for empowerment.
This was about giving young South Africans the kind of opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives.
And the very first young person the Foundation is supporting is Azaria Narayan, a fourth-year Wits medical student with a determination to become the kind of doctor her community can depend on.
“She’s not just studying medicine,” says Unconventional CA CEO, Hiten Keshave. “She wants to be the doctor her community has never had.”
The Unconventional Hearts Foundation was established to back youth up to age 25 across four key pillars: education and entrepreneurship, healthcare, food security and shelter.
For Hiten, the mission behind it is deeply personal.
“I’ve always been passionate about education and empowering the next generation. Growing up, I didn’t have the opportunities many young people need to succeed. Working with SMMEs daily, I see the talent in this country. I want to help give young people the start I never had.”
Supporting Azaria through her tuition and living expenses is only the beginning. The Foundation aims to be a long-term driver of support and awareness for young people striving to break barriers.
The evening auction, featuring everything from luxury handbags to getaway experiences, pushed the final total over the R218 000 mark. But organisers say this is just the start.
“We hope to surpass this number soon so we can support even more young people to reach their potential.”
With its first successful event wrapped and a clear vision ahead, the Foundation is already showing how powerful community-led support can be.
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