Some of the stakeholders involved in the Phoenix 50 celebrations.
Image: Supplied
PHOENIX reached a remarkable milestone this year, marking 50 years of growth, perseverance, and a strong sense of community.
This anniversary offers an opportunity not only to reflect on the journey thus far, but also to celebrate the people and partnerships that have shaped Phoenix into what it is today. In commemorating this achievement, Phoenix Child Welfare, in collaboration with the Phoenix Community Centre, has curated a year-long programme of events aimed at honouring the past while encouraging unity, reflection, and meaningful community involvement.
The current 2025/2026 period has brought with it a range of intensified social and economic pressures. Many families are facing heightened levels of hardship, with increasing poverty, crime, and complex social challenges becoming more evident across the community. Compounding these difficulties are ongoing disruptions to essential services such as water and electricity, which continue to place additional strain on already vulnerable households. As a result, the demand for support services has grown significantly, even as available resources remain limited. Within the existing funding model of the Department of Social Development, organisations must apply for financial support to deliver critical services, yet the subsidies provided fall short of meeting the scale and urgency of the needs on the ground.
In this context, the Phoenix Charity Fair takes on even greater significance. As the organisation’s primary fund-raising initiative, it serves not only as a community event, but as a crucial lifeline that supports the continuity and expansion of services offered by Phoenix Child Welfare. The outcome of the fair has a direct impact on the organisation’s ability to respond effectively to the growing needs within the community, and to provide sustained assistance to those most at risk. Sincere appreciation is extended to the dedicated staff, the board of management, volunteers, donors, and all who contribute their time, resources, and support. It is through this collective commitment that Phoenix Child Welfare is able to continue its work and adapt to the evolving challenges faced by the community.
As Nelson Mandela so powerfully stated: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.”
This message remains at the heart of the organisation’s mission and continues to inspire its ongoing efforts.
Sham Maharaj
Image: SUPPLIED
SHAM MAHARAJ
A founder member of the Phoenix Working Committee (PWC) and past President of Phoenix Child Welfare (PCW)