About Zulufadder

Zulufadder is a nonprofit organisation that focus on education and sustainable projects for children and youth in South Africa.

Like all great stories, our tale is one rooted in love. The deep love and compassion that Norwegian actress, Mari Maurstad, has for children.

It all started in December 2004. Mari, while on safari in South Africa, met Toby Selander, a Swedish photo journalist, and Ragnhild Button, the honorary Norwegian consul in Durban and tour operator.

While travelling from Durban, the group visited a rural soup kitchen just outside Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal. They met a local woman, the late Aurelia Mhlongo, who had been using her small monthly pension to feed a group of hungry children.

Moved by their plight and touched by Aurelia’s selflessness, Mari was inspired to make an even bigger difference, and so Zulufadder was born.

What we do

What started as a soup kitchen is now a multifaceted organisation that helps disadvantaged children and their families outside Eshowe. We support our children by provide food, education, clothing, medical treatment and other support.

All our children are disadvantaged in some way, either by the loss of one or more parents or family members, often through HIV and AIDS, or simply through unfortunate family circumstances. Through Zulufadder initiatives, we develop children and families to be strong and healthy and to believe in their own potential. Our wish is that the children grow up and create a better life for themselves and those around them.

Zulufadder operates a pre-primary, primary and high school (www.gratton.co.za), and assists children who attend rural schools and encourages self-reliance through skills training and self-help programmes.

Since 2010, Gratton School has been developed from a small primary school with 30 learners, to a large educational institution offering tuition and boarding from pre-school to grade 12 (matriculation). In 2022 Gratton has more than 500 learners and a staff of 60 including 35 educators. Learners include both fee paying children and Zulufadder beneficiaries who are sponsored to attend.

We have dedicated field workers and support staff who seek out new cases requiring attention, monitor all our beneficiaries and ensure that our services are implemented efficiently.

More about our Education Fund

How Zulufadder works

Zulufadder is a Norwegian word that means ‘Zulu godparent’. For a small monthly donation you can support our children. If you choose to,by giving gifts and follow closely, but this is not required.

These monthly donations pay for the child’s food, support, health needs, school uniforms and shoes, and any other necessities.

All the children are living in their home communities and Zulufadder provides food parcels to those supporting families who need assistance.

In South Africa, the Zulufadder project is run by Silvia Hellesvik, who moved to Eshowe from Norway in 2006. As Project Manager, she ensures that all daily tasks run smoothly, in addition to overseeing that all funds are used responsibly and that our charitable objectives are achieved.

We believe that the great strength of Zulufadder is that our operating costs are kept to a minimum, so that the bulk of the money we receive goes to where it is needed most – supporting and developing the children.

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