The annual Awqaf South Africa haj fund raised R500 000 and counting following a pledge-line which took place on Wednesday evening. Awqaf SA CEO Zeinoul Cajee said that they are surprised at the amount of calls, smses and emails that are still pouring in.

“People from all over the country called to make a contribution to the fund and there are many who didn’t get through who are still calling or making direct payments to the funds bank account,” he said.

Approximately 500 calls came through to the pledgeline on Wednesday night, Cajee said, lauding the great response to the pledge.

“We had lots of people pledging from all over the country as well as from outside South Africa namely Lesotho and Botswana,” added Cajee.

He said one woman emotionally donated her bracelet she inherited which was a great highlight for Wednesday night’s pledge.

Those people who were sponsored by the fund and were on Haj were also linked up to the pledgeline from Makkah. Cajee said that they were filled with emotion as they shared the gratitude for the opportunity they were afforded as part of the fund. He said that the final count will be done by the end of next week; and they are hoping to make a lot more than last year.

“What comes through on the night of the pledge-line is usually a lot less than what comes afterwards as the pledge is open on a continuous basis. Even now we are still receiving calls from people who still want to pledge,” added Cajee.

It could still go up to the R1 million mark but this all depends on what happens in the next week. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)