Jeffrey van Rooyen – Award for Excellence in Philanthropy MyZA

Gauteng Founder of the the SA Music Choir Trust as well as the Riverlea Development Trust in Eldorado Park outside Johannesburg, Jeffrey van Rooyen is the recipient of the 2013 Inyathelo Award for Excellence in Philanthropy.

Jeffrey is a notable philanthropist who has made sustained contributions over many years to numerous different community projects in the Riverlea and Bosmont areas in Gauteng. As a leading businessman in the area, he has also used his extensive networks to facilitate donations from others.

Jeffrey has improved the lives of many, including unemployed women in the area through job creation initiatives such as his sewing project where he even assists with the marketing of the products. He has also supported the provision of health services to impoverished communities in Riverlea and Bosmont, setting up optometry and podiatry clinics in partnership with the University of Johannesburg.

Jeffrey was also determined to provide youngsters in the area with an alternative to the endemic culture of drugs, alcohol abuse and gangsterism, so he set up an education trust to provide learners with books and life skills.

Jeffery supports local choirs by sponsoring festivals and helping members take part in regional and national competitions. He is also responsible for establishing the Riverlea Ext Athletic Club and even sponsored a township marathon to encourage people in his local community to get involved and lead healthy lives.

Jeffrey van Rooyen

A total of eight exceptional South Africans have been honoured at the prestigious 7th annual Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards this evening. The annual gala event, which took place at the Cape Town City Hall on Tuesday 5 November 2013, was initiated by Inyathelo: The South African Institute for Advancement to acknowledge, celebrate and honour those whose personal giving has contributed towards sustainable social change in our country.

The following individuals were presented with awards:

8-year-old rhino campaigner Afeefah Patel received the 2013 Inyathelo Award for Children in Philanthropy.
Chairperson of the Zip Zap Circus School in Cape Town Victoria Nel received the 2013 Inyathelo Award for Philanthropy in Youth Development.
Founder of the Sedikong sa Lerato feeding centre for vulnerable children in Polokwane Mavis Mathabatha received the 2013 Inyathelo Award for Philanthropy in Food Security.
Founders of the Lungisani Indlela Village for vulnerable children in Verulam KwaZulu-Natal Tich and Joan Smith received the 2013 Inyathelo Award for Philanthropy in Community Development.
Founder of the Care-Net Development and Support Centre for vulnerable children in Winterveld outside Pretoria Mmatsatsi Mokgohloa also received an Inyathelo Award for Philanthropy in Community Development.
Founder of the Hope Warriors Children’s Charity in Soshanguve north of Pretoria Patrick Mashanda received the 2013 Inyathelo Philanthropy Award for Youth in Philanthropy.
Leading businessman and founder of the Riverlea Development Trust in Eldorado Park outside Johannesburg Jeffrey van Rooyen received the 2013 Inyathelo Award for Excellence in Philanthropy.
And for his tireless work over many years to uplift the Westlake community in Cape Town James McGregor received the 2013 Inyathelo Award for Lifetime Philanthropy.