CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT
(For Period 19 August 2009 to 21 July 2010

The sole object of the Trust, as stated in the Founding Deed, is to provide food, medical and other practical and financial assistance for the benefit of persons who, in the opinion of the Trustees, are poor, needy and destitute; including (but without limitation thereof) refugees and persons displaced as a result of victimization and political, and social circumstances.

With this as the basis, the Trustees agreed in November 2003, that the primary focus would be directed to Zimbabwean pensioners resident in the Western Cape, who are identified as being in real financial need. This remains the selected operating mandate of the Trust.

The M’dala Trust has now been in operation for six years and four months. It was conceived in November 2003 when the financial plight of the Rhodesian and Zimbabwean pensioners was realized and after administrative planning was formally launched in February 2004. The Founding (Notarial) Deed was signed in Cape Town on 15 April 2004.

Since its commencement the Trust has enjoyed successive years of progress and achievement, and the year under review is no exception. A clear focus has been maintained on the long standing selected and agreed operating mandate and the Trust has continued to provide and improve the support given to the identified needy or destitute Zimbabwean pensioners who reside in the Western Cape.

Management has continued to be professional and efficient, with formal Trustee meetings held each month except December 2009. All Trustee meetings are minuted and copies are distributed to the Trustees and the seven Patrons. General management of the Trust continues to be performed by the Chairman, but all decisions are agreed by the necessary quorum of Trustees.

The Trust accounts have been professionally scrutinized and audited and a complimentary ‘all in order’ report has been issued. The audit report stated that the accounts were completely acceptable and that there were no irregularities.

The Annual General Meeting was held on 20 July 2010.

The current Trustees are Jack Crook, Peter Dobson Ant Grace, Ian Johnston, Ronnie Lange, Nick Linnell, Greg Walpole and Leon Jacobs (who continues as Chairman).

A current financial report has been presented by the Chairman at all Trustee meetings and strict control has been maintained over the use of Trust funds. All expenditure has been approved by the Trustees and formal tax receipts have been issued to all South African based donors for tax relief purposes. In addition, all donors have received a formal letter of appreciation from the Chairman.

Mr Richard Rosenthal (of Richard Rosenthal Attorneys) has continued to provide all necessary legal advice and assistance, Mr Eric Salomon (of Eric Salomon and Company) the auditing service and Mr Konrad Laker the accounts reporting service. Their pro bono support and service has been exceptional, extremely valuable and outstandingly efficient and the Trust remains truly indebted to these three professionals for their genuine interest and dedication.

Our Patrons have continued to provide their support and image and the Trustees are grateful to them for their continuing interest and involvement. The Trustees truly appreciate the prestige that these high profile and influential personalities engender as Patrons.

The Patrons are Ms Aviva Pelham, John Edmonds, Jack Ferera, Adrian Gardiner, David Hughes, Mark McNulty and Paul Sulcas.

The essential conduit between the Trustees and the pensioners is provided by three field agents or ‘carers’, namely Peter Venter, Ted Bebington and Anne Bishop. These three deliver or arrange postal delivery of the monthly Pick ‘n Pay gift cards, note the pensioners concerns and requirements, and are always available to advise on pensioner needs. Quarterly meetings have been held with the ‘carers’ to receive their updates on the pensioners they care for. They willingly provide this essential service and the Trustees are grateful to them for their ongoing efforts and diligence.

In addition to her role as a 'carer' Anne Bishop fulfills another most valuable service to most of the pensioners and that is as a voluntary provider of occasional 'goody hampers'. Anne has a knack of being able to garner donations of fresh fruit and vegetables, cosmetics, toiletries and other items which she diligently sorts into individual packs. These she then delivers to pensioners at Musgrave Park and the group of pensioners she cares for in the Fish Hoek area and surrounds. The Trustees salute Anne for her initiative and the enthusiasm which she exudes so willingly, and there is no doubt that the pensioners really appreciate the exctra care she provides.

Shane van der Mark was the founding ‘carer’ for Musgrave Park, but relinquished that role last year when her health faltered and she was admitted to Nazareth House. Shane’s health dipped somewhat after her admission, but it is pleasing to report that this has steadily improved to the extent that Shane is now mobile again – albeit with the aid of a walking stick - and has returned to her favourite hobby of painting.

There were 45 pensioners on the support programme in August 2009 and the current number is down to 38 – three pensioners have died, one has emigrated and three relocated. The three who died are Mrs Wilhelmina Dunman (92), Peter Taylor (67) and Peter Dunman (90). Mrs Trish McNish relocated to New Zealand to live with her family and Mr and Mrs Beachamp were admitted to Carlisle Lodge for the Aged in Fish Hoek. No new pensioners were admitted to the support programme – none applied and none were recommended.

The pensioner support programme continues to provide regular monthly Pick ‘n Pay gift cards to the pensioners, the value of which was increased from R800 to R900 in August 2009 and is planned to increase to R1,000 in August 2010. These increases have been in an effort to keep pace with the ever rising cost of living, but, as with most household budgets, the figure remains short of the mark. The three ‘carers’ continue to provide advice on necessary gift card value increases, which are presented for approval to the Trustees by the Chairman.

In December 2009 a further R400 was added to the value of the pensioner’s gift card so that their year end celebrations could be a little more enjoyable and they could spend the extra on special items. The Trust has awarded an extra amount every December since 2004.

During the report period one further cataract operation has been arranged and funded bringing the total to twenty one. Cataract operations continue to be done by the same ex-Zimbabwean ophthalmic surgeon who prefers to remain anonymous, but who is nonetheless thanked sincerely for his valuable assistance and concern for the well being of the pensioners supported by the Trust.

Funding of the Trust is achieved through regular monthly debit order donors, some substantial lump sum donors, the annual fundraising golf day and occasional raffles that are run during the year. The regular support of our monthly donors is the backbone of the income and although the total amount does not meet the expenses, the ongoing continuing support of these kind and caring people is acknowledged with enormous gratitude. The periodic lump sum donations are usually substantial amounts which dramatically boost the coffers, without which the Trust would not be able to increase, guarantee or extend the pensioner support programme. Of particular note are the donations made by the Ken Mackenzie Trust, the Maid Foundation and the Perth based team of concerned young ex-Zimbabweans. The Trust again extends most sincere thanks and appreciation to all donors and expresses the hope that their generous support will continue.

The Trust remains determined that the monthly pensioner support programme does not falter in any way, as that would be simply disastrous for the pensioners. To this end the Trust has judiciously created and accumulated a necessary and sufficient reserve for the future, which will ensure support continuity for at least two years.

The fourth fundraising golf day was held at the Durbanville Golf Club in October and was again a huge funfilled success. Support was received from Adrian Gardiner (Patron), John Edmond (Patron), most of the wine producers of Stellenbosch and the Boland (negotiated by Patron Dave Hughes), the Golf Pro Shop, Gail Polworth and many Cape Town based businesses and business people. There was a full field of 144 players and the golfers enjoyed the day despite the windy conditions and the possibility of a downpour. The game was a 4 Ball Alliance with the two best scores to count; prizes were awarded down to the twentieth place and each player again received a ‘goody bag’ on registration. The auction of some attractive donated items was expertly handle by Dave Kinleyside, but there was a noticeable reduction in the value of the prices paid which was no doubt due to the world’s economic condition. An amount of nearly R100,000 was raised and was a most welcome financial boost to the coffers of the Trust.

The 2010 fundraising golf day will be held at Mowbray Golf Club on Friday 5 November; the competition will again be a 4 Ball Alliance (two best scores per hole to count). Play will commence at 12h00 with a shotgun start and the entry fee per 4 Ball remains at R1,200. This is an event not to be missed!

The Trust ran two additional fundraisers during the year. One was the sale of un-circulated Zimbabwe One Hundred Trillion Dollar bank notes and the second a raffle of three glass floated frames containing a full set of all Zimbabwe currency and Bearer Bond notes (97 in all). The uncirculated One Hundred Trillion Dollar bank notes were sold at R100 per note and sales were was hectic realizing an amount of R45,826. (Many people bought these notes – the highest value bank note ever – for old time sake and to laminate as book markers). The currency raffle was also well supported – tickets were R100 each and the three frames were won by Lindsay Green of Cape Town, who was absolutely delighted to have won such a unique collection. The raffle realized an amount of R32,000. Interestingly such a full collection of Zimbabwe currency and Bearer Bonds notes is now simply not obtainable, so not only does it have intrinsic value but could have an ever increasing actual real value.

Mason Cranswick is the author of the fast moving, intriguing book Blood Lily. The story is set in Zimbabwe and is a thrilling tale of loyalty and betrayal, forged in the heat of a war in which there would unltimately be on winners. Mason has offered to donate R15 per sale of every book sold by himself or by Chris Cocks of the publishing house 30 Degrees South, and one British Pound for all books downloaded from his international online service. This is a most generous offer and there is every hope that scores of books will be sold to the financial advantage of the M’dala Trust. The online website is www.bloodlily.co.za.

A number of donations of clothing, curtains and linen have been received from concerned persons in and around Cape Town. These items have been passed on to pensioners who have been most appreciative, especially as many of the donated items have all been new or in excellent condition. The distribution process of these items is managed by the ‘carers’. Many humbling letters of appreciation are received, especially as many of the pensioners have not had the privilege of buying new or quality clothing for some years.

The M’dala Trust website is kept up to date by the Chairman and is proving to be a useful tool for keeping people informed about Trust events and achievements. It has resulted in a few donations of clothing and linen as interested people search for welfare organizations in need.

The M’dala Trust Business Continuity Plan is finalized and accepted by all the Trustees. Its purpose is to ensure that the Trust’s operating and management processes and business functionality will not be placed in jeopardy should any terminal misfortune befall the Chairman or any of the Trustees. The essential objective is to be able to continue the support programme for the pensioners.

The Trust is geared for another year of much the same. Hopefully the world’s financial condition will improve to the extent that garnering financial support will be a little easier, but nonetheless the role played by the Trust will continue. No changes to the operating procedures or overall objectives of the Trust are planned or likely and the professional management model that has applied since formation in November 2003 will continue.

Warm regards.
Leon Jacobs (Chairman)
21 July 2010