WATCH | Teen brings hope to Pietermaritzburg’s homeless
On Sunday, the foundation continued its outreach by providing meals to more than 50 homeless people in Church Street, Pietermaritzburg.
At just 15 years old, Merrivale Heights teenager Khanyisa Dlamini is proving that making a difference starts with serving others.
The founder of the Glow Within Foundation says humanitarian work remains essential in addressing the needs of vulnerable people in communities. Dlamini, from Merrivale Heights in Howick, launched the charity foundation in 2025 with the aim of supporting needy families and homeless people in Howick and the Pietermaritzburg CBD.
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On Sunday, the foundation continued its outreach by providing meals to more than 50 homeless people in Church Street, Pietermaritzburg.
Speaking to The Witness, Dlamini said her community work is closely linked to her participation in the Pre-Teen Universe South Africa pageant, which encourages contestants to champion humanitarian and social upliftment initiatives.
“As a young person in South Africa, I want to see a positive change in my community and in my country. I believe that helping those who are less fortunate is one way of making a meaningful difference,” she said.
Dlamini said the Glow Within Foundation was established to restore hope and dignity to people facing hardship, adding that many homeless people simply need compassion and support.
She said her dream is to inspire other young people to become active in community service and to show that age should never be a barrier to making a positive impact.
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“I want to be part of the positive change that South Africa needs. If more young people become involved in helping others, we can build stronger and more caring communities,” she said.
Dlamini added that the foundation plans to expand its humanitarian programmes in both Howick and Pietermaritzburg through regular feeding schemes and other initiatives aimed at assisting vulnerable members of society.
