Families' mission to honour giving giants

FROM feeding 40 800 hungry mouths to supporting quadriplegics, three generations of two Durban families are transforming their fathers' philanthropic legacy into a powerful force for community change.

In the heart of Durban, Hands that SSServe is carrying forward a legacy built on love, leadership, and service.

The organisation, founded by the families of late community stalwarts Steve Chokolingum and Sundress Archary, is more than a tribute. It is a living legacy of their lifelong mission to uplift others.

For decades, both men embodied servant leadership through their work with Rotary, hospice, child welfare, and countless community projects.

Their shared belief that “true service knows no spotlight” inspired a generation. When they passed on, their families knew their vision was too powerful to fade quietly. 

“Their commitment to service was too profound to continue informally,” said the family spokesman, Larry Archary.

“Formalising Hands that SSServe allowed us to build a scalable operation and ensure their legacy continued robustly in South Africa and beyond,” he said.

The organisation’s name carries deep meaning - the first two S’s honour Steve and Sundress, while the third stands for service.  

Today, three generations of their families are united in this cause: the wives as guardians of the founders’ values, the children managing strategy and partnerships, and the grandchildren driving innovation and community engagement.

Their annual food drive is one of the projects which was close to both founders’ hearts.

This year alone, Hands that SSServe delivered 40 800 meals through 480 food hampers which were discreetly distributed to families in need via local schools and community networks.

Supported by various partners, the initiative has brought immediate relief and renewed dignity to households struggling to make ends meet or put food on their table.

Beyond food relief and disability support, Hands that SSServe envisions a broader mission - empowering youth, supporting education, and nurturing a spirit of compassion across generations.

Taariqa Archary’s inspiring journey

SEVEN years after becoming a quadriplegic following a car accident, electronic engineer Taariqa Archary defied medical expectations when she completed the Midmar Mile swim.

Her inspiring 86-minute journey has sparked the creation of the Quadriplegic Support Project - through Hands that SSServe - raising vital awareness for rehabilitation therapy funding.

"My father-in-law (Sundress Archary ) and uncle had lived a life of community service, and so Hands that SSServe was started to continue their legacy and service to the less fortunate." 

Achary, 37, completed her first aQuelle Midmar Mile earlier this year, in the disabled category. In 2024, she swam the Midmar Mile and raised R145 000 to fund therapy for 37 beneficiaries. This project plans to expand this campaign in 2026, continuing to transform lives one stroke at a time.

Archary, of Sandton, said two weeks after her 30th birthday, a drunken driver hit their stationary vehicle at a red robot.

"I was in the ICU for 21 days, followed by another three weeks in the neurological high care, and then three months in a rehabilitation hospital. This was where most of the techniques were taught, but the real progress started with ongoing rehabilitation therapy. Here I was able to train what muscles I still had active, to be able to build the strength to do more for myself and become more independent.

"This is why I’m so passionate about ongoing rehabilitation therapy. It has made the biggest difference in my life. I meet so many amazing people at rehabilitation centres, who progressed so well, but suddenly they stop showing up. It was never for lack of motivation but always for lack of funding." 

She said her initial goal was to set a target to grow towards, in terms of her fitness and independence.

"But as we drew closer to the event, so many of my family and friends expressed awe of my simple goal. It’s since grown into something beyond just my personal wellbeing. I have been a supporter of the Trojan Neurological Trust (TNT) for a few years.

"TNT provides funding to those who can’t afford ongoing therapy, or the equipment necessary to live an independent life. The work they do is nothing short of saintly, hence they were the obvious choice for all proceeds collected by Hands that SSServe." 

POST PLUS