What happens when an entire community decides to make a difference? In Gauteng, the answer is R38.4 million raised in just 12 hours, with every contribution helping Hot Cares continue its incredible work.
If you only have a minute, read this: Gauteng has done it again! HOT 102.7FM’s Teddython 2026 raised a record R38.4 million in cash, goods and services in just 12 hours. The donations will help Hot Cares continue its incredible work supporting vulnerable families, children’s education, healthcare and animal welfare over the next 12 months.
Johannesburg, South Africa (09 November 2026) – HOT 102.7FM’s annual Teddython has smashed its previous fundraising record, raising an incredible R38.4 million in cash, goods and services in just 12 hours!!! That’s almost R7 million more than last year, with the donations set to support Hot Cares’ work in healthcare, education, humanitarian assistance and animal welfare over the next 12 months.
The annual Teddython is a 12-hour fundraising broadcast that brings together listeners, schools, businesses and communities to support Hot Cares, the radio station’s charitable organisation.
Broadcasting live from Papachinos Broadacres in Johannesburg, the station started the day with a target of R20 million. By lunchtime, that figure had already been reached, prompting organisers to increase their goal to R25 million. But donations continued pouring in, and by the end of the broadcast, an astonishing R38,398,474 had been pledged.
The day featured entertainment, special guests, the Hot Cares School Challenge and the popular Donate to Dunk tank, with thousands of supporters getting involved.
But to understand why this fundraising achievement matters, you only need to look at what Hot Cares has been doing over the past year.
In July, the organisation invested more than R340,000 in the Frida Hartley Shelter in Yeoville, which provides a safe home for vulnerable women and their children. The support included laptops for skills training, improved solar infrastructure, cooking facilities, essential supplies and a commitment towards a borehole to help the shelter become more sustainable. Earlier in the year, Hot Cares helped transform the learning environment at ABC ECD, an early childhood development centre in the Winnie Mandela informal settlement. The organisation funded shade structures and supplied books, puzzles, musical instruments and educational materials, giving 25 young children a safer and more stimulating place to learn and play. The organisation also helped Claudette Stols, a mother of three struggling with significant hearing loss, access the hearing support she needed. In another initiative, Hot Cares partnered with Jet Ubunye to treat 50 children from St Mary’s Children’s Home to a special back-to-school shopping experience, allowing them to choose their own clothing and essentials. And the kindness hasn’t stopped with people. Hot Cares has supported animal welfare organisations throughout the year, including initiatives to help 65 abandoned cats get a second chance and assist Paws R Us in finding homes for 20 rescue dogs.
The R38.4 million pledged at this year’s Teddython will allow that work to continue, with cash donations, goods and professional services all contributing to the support the organisation can provide.
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Last year’s Teddython already broke records, raising R31.5 million. This year, listeners and businesses increased their support by nearly 22%.
For the team at HOT 102.7FM, and for the people and organisations who will benefit from this generosity, the next 12 months are looking incredibly promising.
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