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RSG (Radio Sonder Grense) and Virseker Insurance recently wrapped up their “Bakgat” rusk competition, which unexpectedly evolved into a powerful display of generosity, benefiting communities across South Africa. By declaring 13 November as National Rusk Day, the event attracted thousands of bakers from across the country, eager to demonstrate their expertise and contribute to celebrating local baking talent. This initiative not only emphasised creativity but also cultivated a strong sense of community and goodwill, as RSG and Virseker turned the competition into a meaningful act of charity. A collective effort of bakers nationwide The competition, designed to highlight the country’s finest rusks, received an overwhelming response, with over 1,510 entries and more than 36,000 rusks submitted, each meticulously crafted and packaged. After narrowing down the participants to the top 72 and then to the top 5, Marthle Smith from Nelson Mandela Bay was crowned the ultimate “Bakgat” rusk champion on 13 November. Baking for a noble cause: Turning surplus into assistance The success of the competition left RSG with an unanticipated surplus of rusks. Rather than letting the additional batches go unused, they decided to donate them to MES (Mould Empower Serve), a non-profit organisation running shelters and support programmes across various South African cities, including Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Gqeberha, and Cape Town. Leona, CEO of MES, expressed her appreciation for the contribution, noting that the rusks would be a welcome addition to their annual Packaged Love Campaign. This seasonal initiative delivers essential resources to vulnerable families and individuals during the holiday season. Leona remarked, “This is a wonderful opportunity to bless many individuals and families with delicious rusks during the festive season.” The rusks provided by RSG and Virseker played a pivotal role in enhancing the Packaged Love Campaign, ensuring that many individuals could enjoy homemade treats at a time when they might have otherwise gone without.  A day of thoughtful giving On 4 December, the MES Youth Leadership team, joined by Development and Marketing Officer, Brigitte Potgieter, visited the RSG offices to prepare the rusks for distribution. The rusks were carefully packed and dispatched to various MES programmes in Johannesburg, Gqeberha and Cape Town, including Early Childhood Development Centres, after-school initiatives, shelters, and projects supporting at-risk youth and families. The donation incited gratitude throughout the MES network. The rusks provided a much-needed gesture of care, bringing joy and nourishment to many during a time of year often associated with hardship. Thousands of rusks travelled across the country, offering comfort and support to those in need. A community united: Strengthening supportive bondsThe partnership between RSG, Virseker, and MES highlights the strength of community-driven efforts. What started as a baking competition transformed into a valuable opportunity to share resources and positively impact the lives of South Africans in need. Through this collaboration, creativity and a sense of community came together to make a meaningful difference, with the simple act of baking and sharing rusks spreading joy ...

Several organisations serving the people experiencing homelessness conducted a pilot point-in-time count of individuals experiencing rough sleeping on the night of November 13, 2024. This initiative, organized by U-turn, Streetscapes, MES, New Hope SA, the Haven, and VRCID, marks the beginning of regular counts aimed at understanding and ultimately reducing homelessness in the city. Read the Press Release here