Food relief distribution — Bronkhorspruit, Gauteng 500+ women & girls received sanitary dignity packs this month New strategic NGO partnership signed in Gauteng 1,200 grocery parcels distributed this week Emergency outreach to informal settlements School shoe donation drive — 120 learners supported Food relief distribution — Bronkhorspruit, Gauteng 500+ women & girls received sanitary dignity packs this month New strategic NGO partnership signed in Gauteng 1,200 grocery parcels distributed this week
Empowering Gauteng Communities Since Day One

Restoring Dignity.
Building Hope.
Changing Lives.

The Bernice Swarts Foundation delivers compassionate, targeted support to vulnerable communities across Gauteng — because every family deserves food security, every woman deserves dignity, and every child deserves a future.

1,200+
Families Supported
500+
Women Reached
8
Active Programmes
Gauteng
Primary Region
Scroll to explore
Gauteng
Primary Region
8
Programmes
Weekly
Food Relief
Monthly
Dignity Packs
Multi-NGO
Partnerships
Our Impact in Numbers

Real Results. Real Lives.

Every number represents a family fed, a woman uplifted, a child given hope.

1,200+
Families receive food
support every week
500+
Women & girls reached
through dignity programme
12+
Schools visited and
supported across Gauteng
8
Active programmes
running simultaneously
What We Stand For

Four Pillars of Lasting Impact

Every initiative we run is rooted in one unwavering belief: that compassion, when paired with action, has the power to transform lives and restore dignity to those who have been forgotten by the system.

Food Security & Hunger Relief
Weekly bread, maize meal & grocery distributions to families facing hunger. Every person deserves to end each day with a full plate and their dignity intact.
BSF
Women's Dignity & Menstrual Health
Monthly sanitary packs for girls & women across Gauteng — breaking the cycle of period poverty and restoring the dignity every woman deserves.
BSF
Community Upliftment & Support
Direct engagement with informal settlements, schools, and vulnerable households — delivering support and a clear message that every person is seen, valued, and cared for.
BSF
Strategic Partnerships & Collaboration
NGOs, government, schools & private sector working together to multiply impact. Through collaboration we build networks of care that are stronger and more lasting than any single effort.
BSF
Navigate
Join the Movement

"Service to the people is not a duty — it is a responsibility to restore dignity, create opportunity, and build hope where it is needed most."

Join the Bernice Swarts Foundation. Whether you donate, volunteer, or partner with us — your contribution makes a real and measurable difference in the lives of families and communities who need it most.

Community Voices

What People Say

"The food parcels we receive from the Bernice Swarts Foundation have been a lifeline for our family. We no longer go to bed hungry. This foundation truly walks with the people."

Community Member
Bronkhorspruit, Gauteng
★★★★★

"Thanks to the Sanitary Dignity Programme, my daughter no longer misses school every month. She is now one of the top students in her class. This programme changed her life."

Parent & Community Member
Informal Settlement, Gauteng
★★★★★

"The school desks donated to our learners transformed our classrooms. Children who used to sit on the floor now learn in dignity. The BSF does not just talk — they act."

School Principal
Floridalaan Primary School
★★★★★
Our Networks

Partnerships & Affiliations

National Assembly
Gauteng Communities
Local Schools Network
NGO Partners
DSD Gauteng
International Forums
ECD Centres
Private Sector Partners
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Bernice Swarts, MP — Founder, BSF
Bernice Swarts
Founder & Chairperson — Bernice Swarts Foundation
Member of Parliament ANC Leader Humanitarian Community Champion
The Founder

Driven by Compassion,
Guided by Purpose

Bernice Swarts is a distinguished community leader, Member of Parliament, ANC leader, and humanitarian whose life's work has been defined by an unwavering commitment to service, justice, and the empowerment of vulnerable communities.

Born into an environment where social inequalities were visible and deeply felt, Bernice developed an acute sense of responsibility from a young age. She witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of poverty on families, the silent suffering of women denied basic dignity, and the potential that goes unrealised when children grow up without adequate nutrition or support.

These lived experiences did not harden her — they ignited a fire. Guided by values of compassion, resilience, and collective responsibility, she chose a path of service and has never looked back. As a legislator, she champions policies that protect the vulnerable. As a foundation founder, she translates political will into tangible community impact.

Member of Parliament representing communities across South Africa
Founded and chairs the Bernice Swarts Foundation NPO
Led food distribution reaching 1,200+ families weekly
Champion of the Sanitary Dignity programme across Gauteng
International delegate representing South Africa at parliamentary forums
Donor of school furniture and learning resources to underprivileged schools
"

Service to the people is not a duty — it is a responsibility to restore dignity, create opportunity, and build hope where it is needed most.

— Bernice Swarts, Founder & Member of Parliament
Our Core Values

What We Believe In

Three principles guide everything we do — from the programmes we design to the partnerships we build and the communities we serve.

Compassion in Action
Compassion is not passive sympathy — it is active, present, and practical. We believe in meeting people where they are, listening deeply to what they need, and responding with genuine care. Every meal distributed, every sanitary pack delivered, and every community visit is an act of compassion made tangible.
BSF
Sustainable Growth
We refuse to create dependency. Our programmes are designed with sustainability at their core — building skills, fostering self-reliance, and strengthening community structures. We invest in solutions that continue to grow and produce fruit long after our direct involvement has ended, ensuring that communities become the authors of their own development stories.
BSF
Dignity Above All
Dignity is the thread that runs through every initiative the BSF undertakes. We are committed to ensuring that every interaction — whether handing out a food parcel, conducting a school visit, or facilitating a community engagement — is conducted with deep respect for the worth and humanity of every person we serve. No one should have to sacrifice their dignity to receive assistance.
BSF
Our Journey

Key Milestones

The Beginning
Foundation Established
Bernice Swarts formally established the BSF as a registered NPO in Gauteng, driven by a personal mission to address food insecurity and lack of dignity among vulnerable communities.
Early Programmes
Food Relief Launches
The weekly food relief programme launched in Bronkhorspruit, initially supporting 50 families. Word spread quickly as the programme's consistency and dignity became its hallmark.
Expanding Impact
Sanitary Dignity Programme
Responding to urgent need, the Sanitary Dignity Programme launched, targeting schoolgirls and women in informal settlements with monthly hygiene support, transforming attendance and quality of life.
Parliamentary Work
MP — National Legislature
Bernice Swarts took her seat in the National Assembly, bringing the lived experiences of communities directly into the halls of Parliament and advocating for policy change from within.
Scaling Up
Multi-Province Partnerships
Strategic partnerships with NGOs, schools, and private sector partners expanded the Foundation's reach, introducing school furniture donations, emergency relief capacity, and ECD support programmes.
International
Global Parliamentary Forums
Bernice represented South Africa at international parliamentary forums, bringing global best practices in social upliftment back to the Foundation's programme design and advocacy work.
Today
Serving 1,200+ Families
The BSF now reaches over 1,200 families weekly across Gauteng through 8 active programmes, with an expanding network of partners and a growing digital presence enabling broader support.
Our Mission

To empower communities, expand opportunity, and foster holistic well-being through compassionate, targeted, and sustainable action

Inspired by the belief that every human being deserves to live with dignity and hope, we design and deliver programmes that address the root causes of vulnerability — not just its symptoms. Our vision is a Gauteng where no family goes hungry, no woman is denied dignity, and every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Targeted Impact
We go where need is greatest, identifying the most vulnerable and ensuring resources reach them directly without bureaucratic barriers.
Strong Partnerships
We cultivate lasting relationships with government, NGOs, schools, and the private sector to build networks of care that compound impact.
Sustainable Change
Every programme is designed with an exit strategy that leaves communities stronger, more self-reliant, and better equipped to face future challenges.
What We Do

Our Programmes

Eight carefully designed programmes, each addressing a distinct dimension of vulnerability. Click any programme card to learn more about its purpose, reach, and impact.

01
Food Relief & Security Programme
Weekly distribution of bread, maize meal, and essential groceries to families facing hunger across Gauteng communities.
Weekly
BSF
02
Household Grocery Support
Targeted grocery assistance for low-income households, providing monthly food parcels to meet daily nutritional needs.
Ongoing
BSF
03
Sanitary Dignity Programme
Monthly distribution of sanitary products to girls and women, promoting menstrual health and restoring dignity.
Monthly
BSF
04
Community Outreach & Humanitarian Support
Direct engagement with informal settlements — food, essentials, and social assistance based on immediate community needs.
Active
BSF
05
Community Upliftment Initiatives
Long-term programmes that build community resilience, empower individuals, and create pathways out of vulnerability.
Long-term
BSF
06
Vulnerable Group Support
Focused care for women, children, the elderly, and low-income families — inclusive support for those most at risk.
Priority
BSF
07
Partnerships & Collaboration
Building strategic alliances with NGOs, government, schools, and private sector to multiply impact across the region.
Strategic
BSF
08
Emergency Relief Assistance
Rapid response during crises — ensuring affected communities receive critical supplies and support quickly and efficiently.
Rapid Response
BSF
Want to support our programmes?
Donations, volunteering, or strategic partnerships — your contribution directly improves lives across Gauteng communities.
Programme
Our Work in Action

Gallery

Authentic moments from the field — school visits, community outreach, leadership engagements, and the people whose lives we walk alongside every day.

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Support Our Work

Make a Donation

Your generosity directly feeds families, restores dignity, and transforms lives across Gauteng. To make a donation, please email us and we will send you our secure payment details.

Email Us to Donate

Send us an email with your name and the amount you wish to donate. We will respond within 24 hours with our secure banking details and a donation reference number.

info@berniceswartsfoundation.co.za

We respond within 24 hours on business days

Feed a Family
R 150 provides weekly groceries for one family
Dignity Pack
R 50 provides a monthly sanitary pack for one woman
School Support
R 500 helps equip one classroom with learning materials
Prefer to chat first?
Reach Leon on WhatsApp for quick assistance
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Get In Touch

Contact Us

For media enquiries, partnership proposals, volunteering, or community support requests — we would love to hear from you.

Brand Manager
Leon Payn
Bernice Swarts Foundation
Phone / WhatsApp
079 064 9734
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
Location
Bronkhorspruit, Gauteng
South Africa
Website
berniceswartsfoundation.com
Launching soon

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Bronkhorspruit, Gauteng, South Africa
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