Victor Daitz Foundation celebrates 40 years of philanthropy

“The late Victor Daitz must rank as one of KwaZulu-Natal’s greatest sons and philanthropists,” said Sam Abrahams, the chairperson of the Victor Daitz Foundation, at a function on 4 July celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the foundation.

“As I stand here, I’m filled with a contradictory combination of emotions – humility, sadness, and joyousness – which epitomise the 40-year journey which I and others have been privileged to experience in serving this philanthropic foundation,” Abrahams, who has been chairperson for 25 years, told the audience.

The foundation has supported society’s most vulnerable and needy for 40 years in the name of this “caring man of humble origins”. Victor Daitz was born in Johannesburg in 1913 to Jewish immigrants from Lithuania. He studied at Leeds University, before returning to join the family business, Natal Cotton and Woollen Mills, in Durban in the late 1930s. An astute businessman and investor in properties, shares, and other assets, Daitz was always philanthropical, and in 1984, he formed the Victor Daitz Foundation to facilitate his charitable endeavours. But it was only after his death in 1999, when he bequeathed most of his estate to the foundation, that it was discovered just how wealthy he was.

The foundation is now considered to be one of the major charitable establishments in South Africa, regularly assisting more than 540 organisations, focusing particularly on education and humanitarian projects benefiting the historically deprived. These include children’s homes and orphanages, old-age homes, support for the disabled, and educational institutions. Feeding schemes and medical-research associations also top the list, along with AIDS organisations. The foundation supports a wide range of feeding schemes all over the province, from Feed the Babies to kindergarten programmes, to school feeding schemes. The projects are based in KwaZulu-Natal, in accordance with the late Daitz’s wishes and vision, and the foundation also supports the Durban Jewish community.

“The strategy of the foundation is simple,” said Abrahams. “Build a strong tree, and distribute its fruits to deserving recipients.” Strict protocols and selection criteria ensure that funding goes to the right organisations, while a board of trustees and professional team ensures that corporate governance is followed. The board, guided by several founding trustees who knew Daitz personally and understood his ideals, safeguards the spirit of the foundation and makes sure that the projects it selects align with Daitz’s values.

The function honoured not only Daitz’s legacy, but the foundation’s recipients, who continue to ensure that the most vulnerable in society are cared for. “You are the true heroes,” said Managing Trustee David Simpson, noting the impact these organisations have on the lives of those placed in their care.

“What we do is the easy part – writing the cheque. Making sure that the funds have an impact on the lives of the less fortunate is the hard part, and this is where we rely on you,” Simpson told the many beneficiary representatives at the event. “I congratulate you and wish you many years of sustainable operation.”

Simpson concluded by commenting on the emblem of the Victor Daitz Foundation – a menorah. Explaining the meaning and significance of the symbol, he said, “I like to think that the foundation should be the light that shows other people and organisations the path of philanthropy and compassion, and be a catalyst which encourages greater involvement by all in the lives of those who need help.”