It began with a certificate.
The story of Proud Partners
Sometimes, the most meaningful ideas have the simplest beginnings. For Proud Partners, it was a certificate presented by a woman named Selina Radebe to her long-time employer, Isabel Verwey.
On it were the words: "In recognition of 20 years of partnership."
Neither could have imagined how far those words would travel.
A partnership worth celebrating
In 1994, Isabel left Johannesburg to marry a Capetonian. It meant leaving behind her career at the SABC, her friends, her family and a city she loved. But one of the people she missed most was Selina, who had worked in her household for 13 years.
Fortunately, Selina felt the same way. Before long, she and her four children had also moved to Cape Town.
Some years later, Selina surprised Isabel with a certificate celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the day she had first knocked on the door of Isabel's Hillbrow flat, looking for work.
Isabel was initially intrigued by the word partnership. But on reflection, she realised how appropriate it was. Their relationship extended beyond employment to include concern for each other's families, shared experiences and the everyday challenges of life.
It also gave Isabel an idea. What if more South Africans recognised the value of working together, looking beyond their differences to find common ground?
From an idea to a purpose
In 2004, a visit to Khayelitsha in the Western Cape brought that idea into sharper focus.
The founding members of Proud Partners were deeply affected by the living conditions they encountered. Yet they were equally struck by the optimism, goodwill and determination of the people they met.
They realised that making a meaningful difference required more than good intentions. It required people to become personally involved.
And so, Proud Partners was born.
The first steps
With the initial financial support of Plexus Asset Management, Proud Partners was able to establish itself and begin putting its ideas into practice.
In 2005, employees of Plexus and their families took their commitment a step further, participating in a two-day charity walk in Ceres. Together, they set themselves a target of 1,000 kilometres, raising an impressive R80,000 through sponsorships.
It was an early demonstration of the Proud Partners philosophy: people coming together, giving their time and energy and making something happen.
A shared commitment.
From the beginning, Proud Partners was founded on a simple principle: real change happens when people become involved in one another's lives.
Rather than merely collecting and distributing donations, the organisation encourages practical cooperation between South Africans from different backgrounds and communities.
Whether through schools, community initiatives or individual relationships, the emphasis has always been on sharing knowledge, offering guidance, contributing skills and building understanding.
Because a successful partnership should enrich the lives of everyone involved.
The story continues
More than two decades later, Proud Partners has played a role in projects spanning education, music, childcare and community development.
Some of those projects have come to an end, leaving behind achievements and memories worth celebrating. Others continue to make a difference today.
Its three principal ongoing initiatives are Kinders vir die Koning, PJO Art Tracks and the Consular Ball.
Each has its own story. All share the belief that inspired Proud Partners in the first place.
Because partnership is not simply something we believe in. It's something we do.
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