Supporting broader South Africans, but proudly Jewish

For 14 years, I had the privilege of running a branch of the Jewish Women’s Benevolent Society (JWBS), an organisation that does remarkable work within our community. During that time, I became acutely aware of the broader South African population, those who receive very little, if any, support. It was only because of the strong network of incredible Jewish organisations in Johannesburg, who take care of our own so diligently, that I felt able to step into a new space and start The Angel Network (TAN).

From the outset, my decision was met with criticism from within our community. Many questioned why I was not focusing exclusively on helping “our own”. And yet, not once in my 14 years with JWBS did I hear the same voices ask about the broader community and their needs.

I remain deeply disturbed by the racism I still encounter – especially from Jewish individuals – considering the long history of suffering we have endured through antisemitism. Growing up, I often heard the question, “Are you a Jewish South African or a South African Jew?” As a young adult, I struggled with the answer. Today, I am proud to say I am both – a Jewish South African, committed to doing my part in building a better, more just South Africa for all.

I think of the many Jewish anti-apartheid activists who fought so bravely for this country, many of whom would be heartbroken by some of the rhetoric and attitudes we see today. From day one, I was clear that TAN would not be a Jewish organisation, but a South African NGO – by everyone, for everyone. However, in light of the antisemitic rhetoric from our current government, I now believe it’s important for people to know that 99% of our management team happens to be Jewish. Prior to 7 October 2023, 95% of our donors were Jewish as well. Sadly, this has shifted due to growing antisemitism, and our beneficiaries, who never received state support to begin with, are the ones who suffer the most.

TAN was founded in response to overwhelming need. It began with a simple act of kindness, and has since grown into a grassroots movement that uplifts vulnerable communities across South Africa, and now, increasingly, beyond it. Despite early warnings that “You can’t be all things to all people,” I refused to limit our scope. The inequalities in our country are simply too vast.

Today, I’m grateful we didn’t narrow our focus. We’ve been able to provide food, education, clothing, housing, sanitation, and dignity to hundreds of thousands of people who have gone without for far too long. As we’ve grown, our focus has shifted towards long-term upliftment, education, and sustainability. We believe in giving a hand up, not a handout. But when disaster strikes, be it the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, or a family living in a rat-infested crawl space, we respond swiftly and compassionately.

From delivering thousands of school shoes on Mandela Day, to ensuring that no girl misses school because of a lack of sanitary products, our mission is about restoring hope, one act of kindness at a time. We aim to change South Africa’s narrative, one individual at a time. Our vision has always been to empower people to reach their full potential and become contributing members of society.

But without government support, the work gets harder each day. A hungry child cannot sleep. A tired child cannot learn. Without education, employment is nearly impossible, and without employment, hunger becomes a lifelong reality. It has largely fallen on NPOs like ours to do the work that should be the responsibility of government: alleviating poverty and addressing social injustice.

What began as a reactive initiative has evolved into a powerful and responsive network, capable of driving real, lasting change. We are now focused not only on emergency relief but on rebuilding communities and fostering long-term resilience. South Africans are resilient by nature, but we’ve had to be. During the 2021 riots, TAN spent millions rebuilding what was destroyed, funds that could have gone to education and upliftment.

We run 56 soup kitchens across the country, providing more than 200 000 meals every single month. Our funders are growing weary of supporting feeding schemes that aren’t sustainable, but how do we stop feeding people when hunger is still so widespread? Our work helps prevent a complete societal collapse, something that should never fall solely on the shoulders of the non-profit sector.

Ultimately, the best we can do is help people become self-sufficient by giving them the tools and support to stand on their own. But they must be willing to put in the effort. When it comes to our soup kitchens, for instance, we can provide seeds, infrastructure, and training – essentially, we can teach people “to fish”. But only to a point. We cannot continue to sustain communities that become comfortable relying on us indefinitely. True change requires partnership, a shared responsibility. We need communities to meet us halfway, to invest in their own upliftment, and to take ownership of their futures.

I dream of a day when TAN is no longer needed. A day when every person is self-sufficient. A day when we are led by a government we trust, one that places the critical issues facing this country at the heart of its agenda. But until that day comes, we will continue doing everything we can. Because while we cannot fix every societal issue alone, we can – and must – be part of the solution.

• Hailing from Gqeberha, Glynne Wolman holds a BSoc Sci degree from the University of Cape Town and a hotel management diploma from Tadmor in Israel. With more than 35 years in recruitment, and a partner in her own agency for more than two decades, she built a career rooted in connecting people with opportunity. In 2015, her path expanded in ways she never anticipated. In response to the overwhelming needs in our country, Wolman founded The Angel Network.