A TIME OF GIVING

-Kinney Oosthuizen

As part of its CSI portfolio, Schnetler’s is proud to be associated with the inaugural Horses for Causes Charity Fundraiser, to be held at Kenilworth Racecourse on 16 January 2016.  A lot of work has gone into this particular event, and Schnetler’s has acted as the project’s attorneys on a pro bono basis. We have been part of the project team from the outset, playing a significant role in various project planning and implementation aspects.

Let me give you a brief outline of the Horses for Causes project.

The launch of the inaugural Horses for Causes Charity Race Day will be held at Kenilworth on Saturday, 16 January 2016.  The day will be uniquely and intently focussed on the valuable community upliftment work which the 16 NGOs participating in Horses for Causes perform.  A large marquee tent erected in the grandstand area will display and showcase the work done by the 16 NGO beneficiaries, exposing racegoers to the empowerment and upliftment work performed by the participating NGOs.

The NGOs taking part in the event are involved in a wide spectrum of community upliftment activities, including skills development, sport, sustainable waste recycling and disposal, empowerment of people with disabilities, music, dancing, developing an effective bone marrow register, relieving the plight of neglected and abused street animals, rural education and healthcare, and providing career opportunities in the thoroughbred horseracing industry.

Funds raised on the day will be split equally amongst the 16 NGOs.  Racegoers, corporate sponsors and the general public will have the opportunity of showing their financial support and generosity.  Opportunities include sponsoring of races on the card, participating in fun-filled auction sales, purchasing hospitality tables in one of the three illustrious restaurant areas in the main grandstand, and making donations to the Horses for Causes fund.  All amounts donated are tax deductible, and are split equally amongst the participating NGOs.

In addition to top quality horseracing, the day will offer a fun-filled family-orientated entertainment programme which will include mini cricket, tag rugby, celebrity sprints, live music, dance groups and fashion soirées.  Think of the glitz and glamour of the J&B Met, combined with a really worthwhile community upliftment vibe, and you will get the general picture.

Entrance is free.  It is bound to be a significant event on the Cape Town social calendar.   The amount raised for the benefit of the participating NGOs will depend on the generosity of the public, but the benefits which funds donated will generate cannot be measured.  Any contribution could help youngsters achieve great things in education, sport, music, dancing; be the start of a waste disposal drive in Cape Town’s neighbourhoods; purchase a wheelchair for a child who would otherwise not be able to afford one; save lives and treat disease at a clinic in rural South Africa; investments which can never be valued in money, which are unique and priceless.

Horses for Causes is presented by the Riverside Estates Educational & Upliftment Trust, which is registered as a public benefit organisation for purposes of Section 18A of the Income Tax Act, No 58 of 1962.  Section 18A provides that any bona fide donation to a public benefit organisation approved by the Commissioner, not exceeding the greater of 5% of the taxable income of the taxpayer or the sum of R100 000,00, is tax deductible.  Donations to the Horses for Causes Charity Race Day therefore qualify for such deduction.  The website provides the necessary information on how to make a donation.

Further details of the event are to be found on www.horsesforcauses.org.za, on Facebook (horsesforcauses) and on Twitter (@horses4causes). Enquiries can be directed to Tracy on 021 424 5843 or info@horsesforcauses.org.za

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)