Pieter's Blog about Marang House and South Africa

Koula's Second Comrades Attempt

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:28:00 +0000

One signature away from Muzi's transplant

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:48:00 +0000

Guess who that is on the photo together with Muzi? It's Dr Vusi Magagula, Deputy-Director of Health Services in Swaziland, a.k.a. one of the oblivious Swaziland government officials who experienced some difficulty with authorising little Muzi's kidney transplant. After having received numerous phone calls from media and prominent individuals and waking up several times with Muzi's plight on the front page of the Swazi Observer, Dr Magagula finally figured that the time was right to resolve the situation. Hence his visit to the Johannesburg General Hospital, the hospital that the Swaziland government owes ZAR 300.000+ for the dialysis treatments that Muzi received so far and that needs to facilitate the transplantation.

After some discussions, the situation is as follows:

- The outstanding hospital account will be settled within the next three weeks.

- Dr Magagula made photos of Muzi and acquired the quotes from the hospital. Added to his proposal, these will be forwarded to the Prime Minister of Swaziland - the honourable Absalom Themba Dlamini - who will then officially authorise Muzi's entire transplant procedure to be paid from the Phalala Fund, a fund under the auspices of His Majesty King Mswati III.

- In other words, this means that the work-up of Muzi's mother can start in about July this year and Muzi will receive his transplant in November.

- Marang House will take care of Muzi for at least another year after the transplant and furthermore assist with sourcing additional funding and resources to assist the family when Muzi returns to Swaziland.

- Dr Magagula was so impressed with Marang House that he will consider sending more children from Swaziland to Marang House - wow.

So is this good news? The most important development is that they are taking the situation seriously, which helps. If they keep all their promises this is fantastic news and if they don't then in July we will start making noise again.

Now we must just hope that the xenophobic South Africans have a humanitarian streak in them after all.

CIVICUS Youth Assembly

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:47:00 +0000

I am honoured to have been selected to attend the CIVICUS Youth Assembly. The theme of this year's Assembly is People, Participation and Power. I will publish more about the event and my attendence in June when the Assembly is taking place.

About the CIVICUS Youth Assembly

The CIVICUS Youth Assembly will offer young delegates a program and a space to develop and commit to action internationally. The theme of participation in civil society will be explored over the course of the event and delegates will learn about issues that effect billions of people worldwide.

The programme will develop not only delegates knowledge, but also build personal capacity through a series of workshops and skills development sessions. Participation is key and all delegates will be fully engaged in a programme of full participation.In attending the Youth Assembly delegates will also go on to participate, as full delegates, in the CIVICUS World Assembly where they will have a voice and opportunity to meet and influence some of the world's leading NGOs, groups and individuals who are committed to the creation of a more just and equitable world.

More info: www.civicusyouth.org

Swazi High Commissioner takes interest in situation of Muzi

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:52:00 +0000

The High Commissioner of Swaziland, Mr Muntu Mswane, took time out of his busy schedule yesterday to meet me and discuss the situation regarding Muzi’s dire need of a transplant. Together we visited the Johannesburg General Hospital, where he met Muzi while he was receiving his dialysis treatments, after which we had brief discussions with Muzi’s doctors and the CEO of the hospital, Mr Sagie Pillay.

We then drove to Marang House, where he could see where Muzi has been living for the past one and a half years or so. I shared all my documentation with him, proving the various allegations that I have made against the Minister of Health and his team.

At my request, the High Commissioner has agreed to mediate between the various stakeholders to resolve the matter. He will soon be having discussions with the Minister of Health to share what he has learned about Muzi’s situation.

We have lost a little bit of momentum since the announcement of the marriage between Muzi and Lerato, but I needed more time to explore various opportunities to make his transplant happen. Even though the Minister of Health in Swaziland has publicly declared that he will fund Muzi’s transplant, the official authorisation has still not been granted.

I am confident that the High Commissioner has Muzi’s interest at heart and await his response with great anticipation.

Update on Muzi

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:19:00 +0000

It has been reasonably quiet during the past few days. Apparently we have been in the Swazi Observer again a few times, but I have not seen the articles as they are not online.

We are currently in negotiations with the hospital management and potential sponsors who have come forward, to find a solution to Muzi's situation.

Keep on visiting this blog to find out if Muzi will live!

The Minister clearly has no idea what he is talking about

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:36:00 +0000

The Minister's secretary informed me yesterday that he was in Pretoria. I immediately tried to phone him on his cellphone him to see if we could get together to resolve the situation, but he has yet to respond. In fact, the Minister has never contacted me regarding Muzi's situation.

In response to yesterday's article in the Swazi Observer, that once again made the front page, I would like to clarify a few things. I wish that the Minister could also clarify certain things from time to time instead of simply denying everything and saying that he will pay.

Marang House has never received any payments from the Swaziland government, as we are an independent NPO funded by corporate South Africa. The fact that we have taken care of Muzi is our responsibility and is for our account. We are not using the media to collect a debt, as there is no debt. The Minister clearly has no idea what he is talking about.

We acknowledge the fact that the Swaziland government referred the child to South Africa, but before the intervention of Marang House, Muzi had stayed in hospital for four months, not coming outside at all with his mother sleeping on a chair next to his bed.

Muzi also currently has an outstanding account of 276,076.00 ZAR, which indicates that the Swazi government has never paid the hospital for his treatments. We can prove this black on white. The Minister's statement that they have paid for the child is therefore false.

If the Minister's department was working efficiently, the transplant would have already taken place and I would not have to come up with crazy ideas like having a celebrity marry a child to get their attention. My normal job is to run a charity and raise funds to provide a stable home-environment to seriously ill children, not to fight with incompetent government officials. Our sponsors however are paying us to take care of these children and that is what I am doing, all the way.

The Minister can say and promise whatever he wants, but we want written confirmation and authorization send to the hospital to start with the transplant. We have had enough promises and postponements already. Muzi is very ill and suffering every day. The sooner he gets his transplant, the better. The fact that the department of Health cannot manage the Phalala fund properly is no excuse to have Muzi wait any longer.

The way forward

Since the Minister has publicly declared that the government will pay for the transplant, next week we will focus on making this happen. We will attempt to involve the hospital management in this issue to at least start with 'working-up' the mother, while we will continue to do whatever it takes to obtain official authorisation from the Swaziland government to start with the proceedings and not merely a media statement that was perhaps just made to make this problem go away.

Media Coverage on Muzi's Situation

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:40:00 +0000

The Swazi Observer:
http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=41660&section=main
http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=41638&section=main
http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=41683&section=main

De Beeld:
http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2274408,00.html
http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Wereld/0,,3-71_2226736,00.html

The Citizen:
http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx?pDesc=58667,1,22

The Herald:
http://www.theherald.co.za/herald/news/n02_19022008.htm

Other media include:
702 Talk Radio, E-TV News, SaturdayStar, SAfm, MetroFM.

Message from Lerato

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:37:00 +0000

hi Guys

thanks for the encouraging words.

i firstly have to make it very clear that this is not some sort of way to get attention, cos if that was the case there are other things i could have done to do that. All i’m trying to do here is help a little boy who has an opportunity at life but is being robbed of it by his government. i do hope that the Swazi government will do something before it gets to the extremes of “marriage”. but this is an extreme situation and i am willing to take extreme measures to help him. because right now i believe he is being robbed of a right to live!

What makes me even more determined is that he has already found a donor (which is great for him becos the waiting period is ridiculous!) but his government would rather send him back to Swaziland (where they have no facilities to deal with his kidney failure) to basically die. all that runs thru my head is that he is someones son, someones brother. i have a sisters so all i can do is imagine what his family is going thru.

i obviously am checking all the legal implications of this but like i said i hope it wont have to get to that. Muzi (the little boy) is running out of time so i’m doing the best i can.

i would adopt him at a blink of an eyelid but that process takes too long…..unfortunately he doesn’t have that that much time.

Anyway guys, thanks for the support and please keep us in ur prayer so we can get this resolved before its too late.

Regards

Lerato

Public responses to marriage claim Lerato and Muzi

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0000

MetroFM:

"I love Lerato & i think she's got a good heart, she rockd the BB house & now she's rocking SA, wat she's doing for the little guy is humbling & not many people would do that!!!!"

"I think it is unfair on the rest of the foreigners coming to mzansi for similar reasons,if they can do it,how many more people are going to want to do the same? Lerato should first consider the consequences before she goes ahead with it...could she be starting a trend? How many people will abuse this cause?"

"I think what she doing is very noble of her because not every one will be to do what she has done for the boy in pain. South Africa please lets not only the bad side of other people we should try by all means to good in people even thy are tring to seek attention from us if that the case anyway. We all know marriage is a big step but I am sure they will be to get that marriage as time gone on. So please people lets not punish the boy for issues we have with Lerato."

"If marrying an 8 year old boy to help him is a publicity stunt then you need to do some serious thinking and i doubt that hating on Lerato will make any difference in your life and i dont think you make a difference in hers!!!!! So Lerato i wish you all the best in everything and God Bless you!! And i wish the 8 yr old boy a Speedy Recovery... "

From: BB2 - The Ultimate Fan Weblog:

"Raise your voice. Tell them how you feel. Get in touch with our President’s office. Get in touch with the Department of Health. Get in touch with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Through the Thabo Mbeki “African Rennaissance” programme and their liaison, the officials from Swaziland must listen. Get all the right connection. Get them to end the “red tape” and save the little boy’s life.
Be loud. We are proud of you."

"Muzi Sifundza you are in our prayers.
Be strong. Lerato is helping you."

"If SA laws permit the marriage, and if after considering all the legal implications you decide to go ahead with it Lerato, you have my full support. hey i could even become you best lady. O na le pelo e ntle."

Source:

http://www.metrofm.co.za/news/newsheadlines/bba2019s-lerato-to-marry-a-boy

http://bbafrica2.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/lerato-to-marry-an-8-year-old-boy

Letter to the Swaziland Minister of Health

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:57:00 +0000

Dear Honourable Minister Njabulo Mabuza,

GCINUMUZI SIFUNDZA – RESPONSE TO YOUR REQUEST FOR A LETTER

We would very much appreciate you answering the following questions, before we send you a letter to request a kidney transplant for Muzi:

1. Why do you require a letter from Marang House requesting the kidney transplant, as we are not a hospital and cannot perform the operation nor are we the legal guardian of the child?

2. Is it your statement that the doctors and social work department at the Johannesburg General Hospital never (officially) requested permission to perform a kidney transplant?

3. If you say that you never refused to pay for Muzi’s transplant, wouldn’t you agree that more than two years of postponing an answer on the matter is a form tacitly refusing or at least making things complicated?

4. Since you are now not refusing to pay, what is the problem with confirming in writing that you will pay for Muzi’s transplant? Especially since you are so confident that this will happen in April 2008? Your permission will allow the doctors to start the proceedings of ‘working-up’ the mother.

5. Why did you not respond to my fax of 13 August 2007 in which I kindly requested a conference call to speak to you about Muzi’s case to resolve the matter and offered my assistance with approaching the private sector for support?

6. Why wasn’t Muzi’s outstanding medical account paid towards the end of 2007 when the hospital requested this, which resulted in the hospital management of Johannesburg General Hospital wanting to stop Muzi’s life-sustaining treatments?

7. Referring to the previous question, if at that stage there was no money in the Phalala Fund, do you think that the fund is administered properly, especially considering that Muzi would have died without his treatments?

8. Since it appears that there is currently not enough money in the Phalala Fund, what steps will you be taking to ensure that the fund does not dry up again in future?

9. Are you aware of the fact that there is currently an outstanding hospital account for Muzi of ZAR 276.000 for treatments that he has received so far and when do you anticipate that this account will be settled?

10. Since Muzi alone has such a huge outstanding account, will there be sufficient money in the Phalala fund in April 2008 to cover the outstanding account plus pay for treatments and transplant for the next year? Also if you consider all your other patients who require medical treatment in South Africa?

11. Is it the policy of your department to keep children on dialysis for years while there is a kidney available, using government resources to pay for the dialysis treatments and an expensive hospital bed, instead of a once-off kidney transplant and post-operative care which makes far more sense economically on the long-term?

12. Since Dr Magagula referred Muzi to Johannesburg General Hospital and therefore was aware of his case and plight since the very beginning, did he never think of taking a more pro-active approach to help this suffering child? Instead of creating bureaucracy he could have for instance taken the initiative of making the transplant happen and used the assistance of very well meaning doctors, social work department and media in South Africa.

13. Can the Swaziland government please send a letter of thanks to Marang House and its sponsors for services provided to Muzi, that were an alternative to the expensive hospital bed that your government would have been liable for? Or can we alternatively send you an invoice (for a third of the price what you would have had to pay the hospital)?

14. Why does the Swaziland government not have any paediatric renal facilities available?

15. Do you as Minister of Health and as a person truly believe that Muzi was treated in a fair and humane way by your department and that you and your department did everything in their power to assist this child?

16. If Muzi was your son, would you be glad that I am asking these questions to the Minister of Health in Swaziland?

We are awaiting your response with great anticipation.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Pieter Ernst, Jr.

CC: Various international media and human rights organisations.

As faxed to his office on 20 February 2008.

Swazi boy might receive transplant after marriage claim with Big Brother star

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:27:00 +0000

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:

In response to an article published in today’s Swazi Observer (http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=41638&section=main) in which the Swaziland authorities denied all allegations made in the media statement released yesterday by Marang House, we wish to inform the media of the following:

Marang House challenges the Swaziland Minister of Health, Njabulo Mabuza, and the Deputy Director of Health, Dr Vusi Magagula, to confirm in writing that they will pay for Muzi’s transplant in April 2008, when there is money available in the Phalala Fund.

“Dr. Magagula claims in the article that they never refused to pay for Muzi’s transplant and we therefore don’t anticipate that it would be a problem for them to send us a signed letter by the end of this week, confirming that they will pay for the transplant. I hope they send it to all the media as well to show their good intentions” says Pieter Ernst Jr, Executive Director of Marang House.

Marang House released a media statement yesterday in which we claimed that Big Brother Africa star Lerato Sengadi was prepared to marry the chronically ill Muzi to have him receive South African citizenship. This was in order for Muzi (8) to receive a kidney transplant. Lerato is still prepared to go all the way on this should this save Muzi’s life. We would like to refer media to yesterday’s press release for more information on Muzi’s sad and challenging situation (http://www.link2media.co.za/PrView.cfm?id=2475131).

“I also would like to emphasize that Muzi has been in South Africa since 2006. Without Marang House, Muzi would have had to stay in hospital permanently even though he only needs dialysis three times a week. The Swaziland government would have been liable for paying for an expensive hospital bed or the child would have had to sleep in the hallways. In that regard, Marang House and its sponsors have saved the Swaziland government a tremendous amount of money”, adds Pieter Ernst Jr.

We invite the Swaziland authorities to in future send their children to Marang House immediately. “I welcome a good chat with the Swaziland authorities to improve the situation of their seriously ill children” says Pieter Ernst Jr.

We further urge all media to follow this story. Muzi has suffered enough and dire need of his transplant. We need your help!

Big Brother star wants to marry eight-year-old

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:20:00 +0000

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:

South African Big Brother Africa star Lerato Sengadi has set her sights on marrying the eight-year-old Gcinumuzi (Muzi) Sifundza. Lerato fell in love with the chronically ill boy last week on the evening before Valentine’s Day, when she threw a party for the children of Marang House – a home for seriously ill children in Johannesburg.

Muzi, who is from Swaziland, suffers from chronic renal failure and is in dire need of a kidney transplant. He is currently receiving his life-sustaining dialysis treatments at the Johannesburg General Hospital, as there are no paediatric renal facilities available in Swaziland. Muzi’s mother has agreed to donate one of her kidneys to her child, but the Swaziland authorities refuse to cover the costs for this operation, even though they have paid for other patients in similar situations.

Lerato Sengadi: “I would do anything to help this child. Muzi is an amazing boy with a big heart and an even bigger will to live. He is very smart, funny, has an amazing personality and is extremely brave. We had an instant connection and bond. It pains me terribly to see him suffer when there is a solution to his illness and suffering.”

Executive Director of Marang House, Pieter Ernst Jr: “The children of Marang House are huge fans of Lerato and Big Brother Africa and they were very excited that she took time out of her busy schedule to visit. Muzi, charming as he is, took a rose from our garden and handed it to Lerato, leaving her completely speechless and touched.”

Pieter continues: “When I explained Muzi’s challenging situation to Lerato, how he is denied his transplant, how he and his family have been treated by the authorities and that I so far not have been able to raise the required ZAR 380.000, the tears were pouring out of her eyes. I also explained that should he have been a South African citizen, the operation would have already taken place – especially since the doctors affirm that there is a nearly 9 out of 10 chance that the transplant will be successful.

Lerato adds: “I then asked what I could do to help and someone joked that I should just marry Muzi and he will perhaps receive South African citizenship. This is a very serious situation and extreme measures are necessary at this stage, so I thought about it and it seemed like the only option at this stage for Muzi to survive.“

Lerato elaborates: “It is very heartbreaking that a sick child like Muzi is being denied a chance to live. I believe it is every human’s right to have a chance at living a full and meaningful life, but the Swaziland government is denying him this. This could be Muzi’s only opportunity at even having a chance at having a near normal childhood and grow up to become a positively contributing member of society.”

Lerato is currently dating fellow Big Brother Africa star Maxwell Chongu from Zambia. “He knows how passionate I am about children and their wellbeing. Our relationship is solid; we have endured a lot together already. We love each other so this will not affect our relationship. Time is running out for this amazing boy, I am doing this in hopes of giving Muzi the gift of life, I am sure Max will understand”, says Lerato.

Permission from the Minister of Home Affairs will be requested this week, as this is one of the requirements for a minor to enter into a valid marriage. A legal team is also currently investigating how and if a marriage would grant Muzi South African citizenship and how long this process will take.

Everybody involved however hopes that this issue will be resolved before it comes to a marriage and that people start realising how serious and incredible sad Muzi’s case is. Hopefully the Swaziland government or private hospital groups and sponsors will come to the party to assist Muzi and resolve this matter in a more ethical and humane way.

Lerato was the South African contestant in the recent second season of the controversial reality show ‘Big Brother: Africa’.

About Marang House

Many children in South Africa who suffer from life-threatening diseases unfortunately do not have the home environments that will facilitate their recuperation and restoration to normal health. This lack of a suitable environment results in young children living permanently in government hospitals, which is not only unnecessary but also has a negative impact on their survival and future health.

Marang House is a successful non-profit organization caring for these ill children by providing them with a stable home environment including a family setting, twenty-four hour medical care, regular monitoring and hospital visits, nutritious meals and lots of love. Marang House is a registered non-profit organization (006-182 NPO) and has been approved as a public benefit organization (PBO 930 003 724). For more information please visit http://www.maranghouse.com/.

Special performance of FNB’s Swan Lake to benefit the seriously ill children of Marang House

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:21:00 +0000

Proudly South African has joined forces with the internationally renowned South African Ballet Theatre to organise a special performance of FNB’s ‘Swan Lake’ at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre on 12 September 2007 in aid of Marang House. This event is supported by the esteemed Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe and will be attended by a number of high-placed representatives from government and business, as well as a number of well-known celebrities.

This is your last chance to book seats for this unique fundraising event, as there are still a limited number of seats available. Please e-mail support@marang.org.za.

This performance of FNB’s Swan Lake is also the last chance to see this production with accompaniment by The Johannesburg Festival Orchestra.

Event Details
* Date: Wednesday, 12 September 2007
* Time: 19h00 for 19h30
* Venue: The Nelson Mandela Stage, Johannesburg Civic Theatre

Hope to see you there!

Big Brothers Big Sisters SA: ‘Marang House most committed organisation’

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 02:10:00 +0000

Marang House was awarded the title of ‘most committed organisation in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Programme’ today during the annual awards ceremony of the Big Brothers Big Sisters SA organisation (BBBSSA) in Johannesburg.

Last year, Marang House entered into a partnership agreement with BBBSSA to match all of its children with a dedicated volunteer. BBBSSA has made a significant impact at Marang House and we are very honoured and grateful for this partnership and to receive this title. More info on BBBSSA on http://www.bbbssa.org.za/.

During the ceremony, three of the matches at Marang House (volunteer and child) also received certificates, this for successfully completing the minimum of one year in the programme.

Photo: Sharmala Govender (Executive Director, BBBSSA), Pieter Ernst Jr and Jacqueline Mphatsoe (Chairman, BBBSSA).

Very special welcome to all the Dutch visitors

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 06:19:00 +0000

Today an article about myself and Marang House made it onto the frontpage of one of the most respectable tabloid newspapers in The Netherlands, De Pers. It is in this regard that I am specially welcoming those readers who took a moment to visit my blog with a little note in Dutch.

Welkom!

Een speciaal welkom in het Nederlands aan alle bezoekers die naar aanleiding van het artikel dat vandaag in De Pers verscheen deze blog bezoeken. Hartelijk welkom en heel erg bedankt voor uw interesse in Marang House.

Ik ben heel erg benieuwd naar uw ideeen, vragen, reacties en suggesties, dus reageer er op los of stuur mij een e-mailtje: contact@pieterernst.com.

Wat heb ik verder op dit moment nodig vanuit Nederland:

- Ik wil heel graag een stichting in Nederland beginnen, maar ik ben nog op zoek naar een goede notaris om het papierwerk te doen en iemand die de kosten wil sponsoren voor het opzetten van een stichting. Ik heb zelf al verschillende contacten in Nederland die de fondsenwerving op zich kunnen nemen.
- Voor bedrijven die al dan niet zakelijke belangen hebben in Zuid-Afrika en hier graag iets willen doen aan ontwikkelingswerk heb ik een heel interessant voorstel om een nieuw project te beginnen.
- Geld doneren aan Marang House kan hier (Let op, donaties zijn in Randen (9,6 Rand = 1EUR).

Marang House is lid van SANEC, de Zuid-Afrikaanse -Nederlandse Kamer van Koophandel en onderhoudt ook goede relaties met de Nederlandse Ambassade in Pretoria.

Is Marang House a disruptive health care innovation?

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:17:00 +0000

Changemakers, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, presented a collaborative competition for the best disruptive innovations that transform health and health care in the U.S. and globally.

Check out Marang House its entry on http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/node/1433

Are we disruptive enough?

DJ Koula completes the Comrades Marathon

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 23:36:00 +0000

She did it! Koula completed the Comrades marathon. The whole country was watching when Koula crossed the finish line after more than eleven hours of running and did a shout-out to all the Marang House children. Keep on checking this blog to find how much money she has raised for Marang House with this magnificent achievement.

Also, check out the pictures of the 'Good Luck' party that the kids organised for her.

UPDATE: I can unofficially tell you that Koula raised around ZAR 80.000 for Marang House.

Seriously ill Muzi (7) beats famous kwaito singer Kabelo at a friendly game of pool

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 08:33:00 +0000

A friendly game of pool turned into a victory for the seven-year-old Muzi. During a 'good luck' party that was organised for Koula and Kabelo, who are running the Comrades ultra-marathon to raise funds for charity, Muzi took the opportunity to challenge his favourite singer to a game of pool. With a little bit of help, Muzi eventually managed to beat the famous kwaito star - a moment that he will not easily forget.

Muzi (who's real name is Gcinomuzi) is supposed to receive a kidney from his mother, but as he is from Swaziland, the South African government refuses to pay for the operation. He is therefore still on dialysis treatments. Ever since he came to Marang House, he became much stronger and is putting on some weight. Muzi is a very active child and although he hardly speaks any English, he is very able to communicate with everybody in his own way.

Koula and Kabelo on Yo.TV's Wild Room together with Marang House children

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 03:44:00 +0000

Yesterday afternoon Koula and Kabelo, joined by Annah and Dieketseng - two of the children who are currently staying at Marang House - were guests on the tv show 'Wild Room'. Wild Room is one of the most popular shows in South Africa and is part of the youth programming on SABC 1, which goes by the name of Yo.TV.

They were on the show to promote the charity angle of the upcoming Comrades ultra-marathon. Kabelo, who is a popular kwaito singer, and Koula, a dj from 5fm, are running the race to raise funds for charity and you can support them by smsing either of their names to 38338 (R10/SMS).

This was the television debut of the young girls, who both are seriously ill. Annah (12) is an insulin dependent diabetic and Dieketseng (15) suffers from chronic renal failure. They both however enjoyed all the attention and the glamour of being on television tremendously.

Last chance to support Koula!

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:14:00 +0000

There is less than one week left for you to support Koula with her admirable attempt to make a difference to the lives of South Africa’s disadvantaged seriously ill children by running the Comrades ultra-marathon. You can help her in the following ways:

SMS the word ‘KOULA’ to 38338 (R10/SMS). SA only.
Make a (corporate) pledge by sending an e-mail to charity@comrades.com

5fm DJ Koula will be running the upcoming Comrades ultra-marathon to raise money for Marang House. Koula is competing against kwaito-singer Kabelo and SAfm's Thabiso Sikwane in a head-to-head challenge to determine who can raise the most money for charity.

Koula has been training for the past eight months under the guidance of Comrades winner Nic Bester. She has completed all of her qualifying races, but is still having terrifying nightmares about the race. To find out more about what drives Koula, listen to an interview by Mike Finch (the editor of Runner’s World) or visit her website.

Marang House receives biggest cheque ever!

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:12:00 +0000

Today I accepted the biggest cheque ever on behalf of Marang House. The Independent Cash and Carry Group, its shareholders and suppliers together donated ZAR 650.000 to Marang House.

A total of ZAR 2 million was raised during their recent annual golf day. Smile Foundation received a cheque for ZAR 1,35 million to operate on children with disfigured faces and ZAR 650.000 went towards Marang House to provide a stable home-environment to disadvantaged seriously ill children.

The Independent Cash and Carry Group is now the biggest financial supporter of Marang House.

Win a kidney transplant on television - What took them so long?

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:03:00 +0000

Tonight the controversial television show where three contestants who suffer from chronic renal failure stand a chance to win a new kidney will air on Dutch television. A terminally ill lady, who has not more than a few months to live, will decide during this live television show to whom of the three contestants she will be donating her kidney.

Viewers can sms during the live broadcast to advise the 37-year-old kidney donor on the tough decision to make. The messages will be free of charge and will offer the opportunity to request the necessary documentation to sign up as an organ donor. What took them so long to come up with this clever marketing campaign?

Contrary to the perception that many people outside of the Netherlands might have, BNN – who is the initiator and broadcaster of the show - is not a commercial television channel trying to develop the latest cash-generating format. BNN is one of the public (non-profit) broadcasting organisations in the Netherlands that receives free broadcasting time and government funding to air and produce its television and radio programmes.

BNN’s founder, Bart de Graaff, passed away several years ago after having been sick most of his life. Despite his illness he managed to start up this very successful PBO and he has always tried to promote the interests of all sorts of ill people, specifically those suffering from chronic renal failure. He for instance allowed a camera crew to follow the entire process that he went through as he underwent a kidney transplant himself, also with the aim of persuading people to become donors.

It really seems to me that BNN has honourable intentions to seriously engage in a discussion and encourage citizens to become organ donors by simply confronting them with the harsh reality. They however have a very direct and controversial way of doing this, but nobody can deny that they already managed to grab the attention of both national and international media, without having broadcasted a single thing. To me this is the best marketing campaign promoting organ donation so far. According to a Dutch newspaper, there are even several people already who offered to donate one of their healthy kidney to the loosing contestants.

I am very curious to see how this television show is going to turn out and hopefully the number of organ donors in the Netherlands will drastically increase during the next couple of weeks. Knowing BNN and its programmes, I am confident that tonight's show will be an entertaining and thought-provoking one to watch. I also think that BNN will deal more respectfully with this sensitive subject than you might expect.

Desperation

One easily underestimates the desperation that many patients awaiting a kidney transplant are in. The dialysis treatments and the uncertainty of their future are not the most pleasant circumstances to live with.

As for the children staying at Marang House, all of them for instance always make sure that there is a packed bag next to their bed to leave the house in the middle of the night should a kidney become available. The sadder part is that some kids literally dream that the phone rings with 'the good news' and wake up the nurse to then realise that they have dreamed it all. All the children also love to attend church, mainly because this gives them the opportunity to pray to God for a new kidney.

Another example, in the early days of Marang House we had a little child by the name of Gordon. One afternoon the phone rang with the exciting news that there was a kidney available for Gordon. As there was nobody else available, my late father decided to drive Gordon to the hospital himself. Gordon however was so worried that he would not arrive on time in the hospital that, as small as he was, he managed to lift my little brother out of his baby seat and put him next to the car while my father was inside Marang House collecting the paperwork. Gordon simply wanted to eliminate every possible threat of slowing him down as this kidney transplant was his only chance of survival. The transplant was a success and as far as I know Gordon is living a happy and normal life at the moment.

UPDATE: The Big Donor Show was a HOAX. Well done!

Franchising as a business model for the expansion of a charity

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Tue, 29 May 2007 09:22:00 +0000

I just returned from a short trip to Cape Town, where I gave a presentation at a Proudly SA CEO Forum. The forum was held at one of Cape Town's trendiest restaurants, Forty Ate, and the topic of the forum was corporate social investment.

I took this opportunity to present the expansion plan that I have for Marang House and specifically focused on the sustainability part of this plan and how the benefits of the traditional franchise system can assist us with sustaining future Marang Houses. I hope that I managed to trigger some interest among the attendees of the forum, as I would love to also establish Marang Houses in Cape Town.

The social (enterprise) franchising model, as I like to call it, will not only sustain the new houses, but will also provide a very interesting investment opportunity for social investors. I will at a later stage further explain this model on my blog. In the meantime, if you are a social investor, please feel free to contact me to find out about this investment opportunity.

Download the presentation (PowerPoint) here.

We didn't win :-(

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Fri, 25 May 2007 08:55:00 +0000

The winners of the prestigious Homegrown Awards were announced yesterday evening during a high-profile gala dinner in Fourways. The Deputy President Mrs Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka was one of the esteemed guests who addressed the 3rd Annual Homegrown Awards finalists. Marang House unfortunately didn’t take the award home.

Marang House received national recognition after being short listed as one of the finalists in the Wesbank / PSA Homegrown Awards in the category ‘Nation Builder of the Year’. The Homegrown Awards, which are endorsed by President Thabo Mbeki, are the leading showcase for South African organizations that are contributing to South Africa's economy and society.

We would like to thank Proudly South African and its sponsors for organizing Homegrown Awards and for continuously promoting South African organisations, products and innovations and the people behind them. We were very honoured to have been one of the finalists this year and we will proudly continue to operate according to Proudly South African's high standards.

Click here to read all about the finalists, the winners and the gala evening.

Pieter together with Koula from 5fm, who is running the Comrades to raise money for Marang House.

Salome Parkies, Head Nurse at Marang House, in traditional African attire.

South African Deputy President Mrs Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka

"Police too slack, so Scouts make arrest"

noreply@blogger.com (Pieter Ernst Jr) — Fri, 18 May 2007 04:11:00 +0000

I came across an interesting story in a recent edition of the Sunday Times. This story especially cought my eye, as these guys volunteered and fixed up one of the bedrooms at Marang House during their last holiday. Well done guys!

Police too slack, so Scouts make arrest

Two Ferndale Boy Scouts arrested a woman’s attacker and took him to the holding cells themselves as their local police were “too busy” changing shifts.

The brothers, Wilko, 17, and Arno Tillwick, 24, have been awarded police certificates for making “an outstanding” citizen’s arrest, but they said they merely acted in accordance with the Scouts’ motto: “Be prepared”.

Wilko said he was asleep one Sunday morning in late March when he woke to a woman’s screams and his neighbour’s barking dogs. He jumped out of bed and ran outside with his brother hot on his heels. “We ran up the road and saw a woman wrestling a man. We pulled the man off her and dragged him towards our gate,” Wilko said.

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