Latest News from around the country – and further afield

When your family has very little money, longing for a new pair of shiny shoes to wear to school is a dream that seldom comes true.

Unless, kind donors support our SSVP volunteers … selfless, committed Christians who see Jesus in the face of the poor people they meet.

Our Vincentian brothers and sisters strive to ‘make every day a Mandela Day’. But even so, Mandela Day brings a special surge of volunteer activity – all aimed at uplifting our less fortunate neighbours.

As if being poor and hungry is not enough, winter brings an extra level of suffering to those who live in makeshift tin shacks.

However hard you try, the biting wind can always find a way through gaps in the wall and under the roof.

When you’re old, destitute and all alone in the world, it’s easy to think that you’ve been forgotten. That’s why volunteers from SSVP take time to visit vulnerable elders at Frederic Place, bringing gifts of cake, cold drink, beanies and blankets.

On 11 July 2026, NWKZN CC Youth celebrated the International Day of Vincentian Youth by donating Morvite Cereal for patients attending Duduza Hospice Care Centre at Mariaratchiz, Dundee.

The purpose of these visits is clear: to encourage young people to serve with humility, compassion, and joy. This mission is deeply rooted in the Society’s origins.

For those who aren’t able to shop for warm winter clothes, the recent clothing distribution at St Rose of Lima in Bloemfontein, was a blessing.

At the beginning of May, Brother Vincent travelled to Mozambique at the invitation of the country’s SSVP National President, Brother Arlindo Antonio Cossa. The visit aimed to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.

Special thanks to the parishioners of Our Lady of Good Health Catholic Church in Pietermaritzburg, who collected no fewer than 72 trays of real eggs for their Easter Egg Drive.

Speaking at the Marian Shrine at Magalies on Saturday 21 March 2026, National President Vincent Williams urged young people to join the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

Gregory Tebogo Nyongane has turned a personal sacrifice into lasting community impact through an annual School Uniform Drive.

Our Lady of Good Health Catholic Church in Raisethorpe has launched a heartfelt Easter Egg Drive to support vulnerable families in the community.

Our St Jude’s Conference on the West Coast commemorated its 25th anniversary in 2025. Starting with just four founding members … no financial resources … no established outreach to those in need …. and limited experience in carrying out the mission of SSVP, they’ve grown and flourished over the years.

For the Sacred Heart Conference in Namaqualand, our Back-to-School campaign went further than just providing new school shoes and uniforms. They worked together to donate much needed books and pens to the three local school in their community.

Apart from the new shoes sponsored by generous donors, our Blessed Joseph Gerard conference in Freedom Park received a donation of second-hand school shoes from Milpark Girls High – which were passed on to grateful kids who’ve never known the luxury of owning a new pair of shoes.

On Sunday 16 November, SSVP conferences around the country marked World Day of the Poor by bringing hope and encouragement to thousands of men, women and children who have very little in the way of material possessions.

The International Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) has been honoured with the Fundación MAPFRE Award for Best Organization for its Social Trajectory, in recognition of its long-standing commitment to serving those most in need and fighting poverty and social exclusion for more than 192 years.

On 17 August 2025, the Soweto District of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) joyfully welcomed 15 new youth members at Christ the King Parish in Soweto. At a time when many young people are often unfairly associated with crime, gangs, or a lack of direction,...