King Salman Centre. Picture: supplied
As Muslims across South Africa enter the second week of Ramadan, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre aims to distributed over 10,000 food hampers to the needy during the holy month.
The centre inaugurated the fifth Eta’am Basket Project for 2026 in the presence of the Saudi Arabian ambassador to South Africa, Faisal Falah Alharbi, local representatives and a team from KS Relief at the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Food hampers
About 10,100 food hampers, each weighing approximately 35 kg, containing essential food items to suffice a household for up to a month will be distributed to those in need.
Each hamper contains essentials such as rice, oil, mealie meal, sugar, pilchards, baked beans and salt.
It is estimated that around 60,000 individuals will benefit from this project in several regions, among others, Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, Freestate and Mpumalanga.
“This initiative comes within the relief and humanitarian efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its official humanitarian arm, KS Relief, to provide food security in many countries around the world,” the Foundation said.
Ramadan programme
The “Ramadan Food Basket” project in South Africa is part of many similar programmes concurrently being implemented in various parts of the world during the Blessed Month of Ramadan.
“It is hoped that this initiative will bring some ease to the thousands of needy families who are experiencing daily challenges in securing their next meal due to financial and other constraints,” the Centre said.
Ramadan Ifthar dinner
Meanwhile, on Monday, Al-Harbi hosted ambassadors from other countries including dignitaries and members from the community for a Ramadan Ifthar dinner.
Al-Harbi spoke about the beauty and blessed month of Ramadan including the relationship between South Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and plight of the Palestinian people.
“Saudi Arabia holds a special place in the hearts of South African muslims with thousands travelling annually to perform hajj and umrah. These stories force a direct engagement, strengthening mutual understanding, securing the ties between our two nations and carry profound spiritual and human significance that go beyond formal diplomatic engagement”, Al-Harbi said.
The Ifthar was also attended by former International relations minister Naledi Pandor and Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Zane Dangor.
