CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT
(For Period 22 July to 19 July 2011)

The sole object of the Trust, as stated in the Founding Deed, is to provide food, medical and other practical assistance for the benefit of persons who, in the opinon of the Trustees, are poor, needy and destitute; including (but withut limitation thereof) refugees and persons displaced as a result of victimisation and political and social circumstances.

With this as the basis, the Trustees agreed in November 2003, that the primary focus would be directed to Rhodesian and 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 seven years and five months. Planning for its existence began in November 2003 when the financial predicament of many locally resident Rhodesian and Zimbabwean pensioners became known and after initial administrative and legal aspects were finalised the Trust was formally launched in February 2004. The Founding (Notarial) Deed was signed in Cape Town on 15 April 2004.

Since its founding the Trust has enjoyed successive years of progress and achievement, and this last year has been no exception. A paramount 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 our identified needy or destitute Rhodesian and Zimbabwean pensioners.

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

The current Trustees are Jack Crook, Peter Dobson Ant Grace, Ian Johnston, Ronnie Lange, Nick Linnell. and Leon Jacobs (who continues as Chairman). Greg Walpole resigned at the end of December 2010 due to pressures of business; Greg has been a Trustee for four years and has participated enthusiastically and meaningfully, and his considered professional and management experience have been most valuable. We thank Greg once again for his time as a Trustee.

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.

The Trust accounts have again been professionally scrutinized and audited, and the audit report states that the accounts are completely acceptable and that there no irregularities.

The Annual General Meeting was held on 19 July 2011.

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 hugely indebted to these three professionals for their genuine interest and dedication.

Our seven Patrons have continued to provide their support and prestigious 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 efficiency and diligence.

There were 38 pensioners on the support programme in August 2010, but the current number is down to 32 – five pensioners have died, one has re-located to family in Natal, one has resigned and a new pensioner has joined. The five who died are Mr Ian Carlisle (82), Mr Jack Carlisle (89), Mrs Ann Boden (87), Ms Phyllis Gray (88) and Mr Claude Otter (78). Ms Carol Eaton (92) relocated and Mrs Molly Lowe resigned. Mr Lionel Rathbone (82) joined in October 2010.

The pensioner support programme continues to provide regular monthly Pick ‘n Pay gift cards to the pensioners. In August 2010 the value of the basic gift card was increased to R950 and a further two gift cards introduced to cater specifically for a number of pensioners who are simply ‘worse off’ than the average pensioner. These gift cards are valued at R1,100 and R1,250. In December 2010 an extra R400 was provided for each pensioner for the festive season.

The annual outlay for Pick ‘n Pay gift cards for the year has been R451,300.00, which averages, per month, to R37,608. 00. In the month of June 2011 the gift card cost was R34,950.00.

During the report period no cataract operations were funded and no hearing aids were provided. In previous years, however, 21 cataract operations have been funded and six hearing aids purchased.

Funding of the Trust this year has been achieved from three sources – firstly from our regular monthly debit order donors who simply keep on providing and to whom we are much indebted for their regular and reliable support; secondly from a few substantial annual donations and thirdly from the annual fundraising golf day. The Trust remains indebted to those Trusts and Foundations that have continued to donate financial support over the years and records that without their assistance the overall success of the Trust and the support provided for the pensioners would simply not have been possible. 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 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 fifth fundraising golf day was held at the Mowbray Golf Club on 5 November 2010 and was again a huge funfilled success. Support was received from a number of hotels, guest houses and game reserves, John Edmond, most of the wine producers of Stellenbosch and the Boland (negotiated by Dave Hughes), artists Gail Polworth and Derric van Rensburg, Nick Price and many Cape Town based businesses and business people; all the contributions were most valuable and contributed to the overall success of the event. The Trust again extends thanks and appreciation to all donors.

The golf day field was a full 144 players, 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 received a well-stocked ‘goody bag’ on registration. The auction of some attractive donated items was expertly handled by Dave Kinleyside, but it was noted that the prices paid for the auction items was not as generous as in previous years – no doubt a sign of the financial times. The valuable raffle draw was overseen by Eric Salomon (our auditor) and the lucky ten prize winners were seemingly satisfied with their winnings. it was apparent that the golfers enjoyed the day, many vowing to ‘return next year as they would not want to miss such a superb event’. An amount of R153,579.00 was realized which was a most welcome financial boost to the coffers of the Trust.

The 2011 fundraising golf day will be held at Mowbray Golf Club on Friday 4 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 is increased to R1,500 because the Mowbray Golf Club has decreed increased green fees. To this end the Trustees have been working assiduously for some months now and ay this stage it seems that we may have a bumper event. Those who wish to play should submit their bookings promptly to ensure they are not disappointed. The website carries all necessary detail.

Mason Cranswick the author of Blood Lily continues to credit the Trust with some of the profit from his book sales and Ian Johnston, a Trustee, is donating a percentage of his book sales to the Trust also. Ian’s book is titled ‘Through Thick and Thin’ and is his recall of family life during Rhodesia’s bush war. Both books are excellent and are recommended. Mason’s email is mason@masoncranswick.com and Ian’s mail is ianj@mindsmail.co.za should you wish to order copies.

Donations of clothing, curtains and linen and some assorted items have been regularly 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 Marlene Jacobs (wife of the Chairman) and Anne Bishop.

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. Some of the recorded comments made by the pensioners are poignant and touching – all worth reading.

The M’dala Trust business continuity plan has been upgraded and re-issued to all 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 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 will continue in its successful way for the foreseeable future in the hope that the world’s financial condition will improve to the extent that garnering financial support will be a little easier.

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.

Leon Jacobs
Chairman
19 July 2011