LifeLine Zululand

31/08/2026

A huge thank you to Bonamanzi Game Reserve for the special weekend away surprise for Dave, we are truly honoured by your generosity and kind gesture. Another special thank you to Porky's Richards Bay for celebrating our legend with a Dinner extravaganza evening.
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Some people win awards.

Legends build legacies.... Lives and people across all platforms.

Dear Dave,
Today, LifeLine Zululand stands a little taller as we celebrate our Chairman, Dave Savides — a man whose name has become synonymous with excellence, integrity, service and heart.

At 78 years young, Dave has once again reminded us why champions never stop inspiring. Winning three prestigious categories — Sport, Headlines and Education & Community — is not just recognition of remarkable journalism/ Editor in Chief/ Consultant; it is recognition of a lifetime spent serving people, telling stories that matter, and uplifting communities, all in the background silently...

What makes Dave truly extraordinary is not the awards. It is his humility... Humble to a fault...

Behind every accolade is a gentle leader who mentors without seeking applause, leads with compassion, gives his time freely, and goes above and beyond for anyone who seeks his guidance. He embodies the kind of leadership that changes lives quietly, powerfully and consistently.

We are incredibly privileged and blessed to have this remarkable man a passionate man, a true leader in every way ....at the helm of LifeLine Zululand. As our Chairman, Dave challenges us to lead with courage, to serve with compassion, and to never lose sight of the people behind the mission.

Congratulations, Dave. You are more than an award-winning recepient. You are a community champion, a mentor, and a legacy in motion...always moving always encourages always forward thinking

Your LifeLine Zululand family celebrates you with immense pride. 💙

Elizabeth Savides

10/07/2026

LifeLine Zululand Offers free counselling services. Contact us for an appointment.

Office hours for appointments:
8am-4pm. Mon - Fri




fans

01/07/2026

Halfway Through the Year…

A Time to Reflect 💙

July marks the halfway point of the year.

Six months have passed—filled with moments of joy, disappointment, growth, change, achievement, and resilience.

As we begin the second half of the year, perhaps this is the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and take stock.

Take a moment to consider where you are in life?
How are things going at work, school, university, at home, in your relationships, and with the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year?🥳

More importantly, take time to check in with yourself.😊

How is your mental wellbeing?
How are you coping emotionally?
Are you simply getting through each day, or are you truly taking care of yourself?

Celebrate your successes, however small. Learn from the setbacks without allowing them to define you. Reconnect with the people, values, and activities that bring meaning, purpose, and hope to your life.

Remember, a new beginning doesn't only happen on 1 January.

Today is just as good a day to reset, refocus, and move forward with renewed strength.

And don't wait until everything is perfect.
Start where you are, use what you have, and take the next small step.

Progress is not about perfection—it's about moving forward, one day at a time.

If you're finding the journey difficult, please remember that you don't have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

From all of us at LifeLine Zululand, we encourage you to embrace the second half of the year with hope, courage, and purpose.

May it be a season of growth, healing, renewed focus, and meaningful connections.

One conversation can change a life. Sometimes, that conversation begins with yourself. 💙

06/06/2026

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Figo Mashazi

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community, fans

04/06/2026

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and everyone affected by this tragic loss.

Moments like these remind us of the importance of reaching out for support when life feels overwhelming. No one should have to face their struggles alone.

Lifeline Zululand provides free, confidential counselling services for individuals, families, and young people in need of emotional support.

📞 Lifeline Zululand (Northern KZN):
035 - 789 2472

Counselling services are also available through Lifeline Durban and Lifeline PMB.

Please reach out. Help is available. 💙

Suspended For Vaping/Teenager Ends His Life: Esselen - KZN

A sixteen (16) year old boy has ended his life in an outbuilding at his home in Esselen Crescent in Esselen - KZN.

He was discovered by his mother this morning (Wednesday) who with assistance broke down the door to find his lifeless body.

Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) responded to the home in Unit 13 in Phoenix - KZN at approximately 11:15.

Reaction Officers were informed by the family that the teenager was a grade ten (10) pupil at Crystal Point Secondary in KZN and had recently been suspended from school after he was found va**ng. The child returned to school briefly after the suspension but became depressed and refused to attend classes. Yesterday (Tuesday) he left home at approximately 15:00, appearing upset and failed to return.

His mother noticed a figure in the outbuilding this morning whilst conducting household chores & he was found unresponsive when they forced open the door.

03/06/2026

DO People Still Honour Their WORD?

Over the years, both personally and professionally, I have had the privilege of helping many people through Lifeline Zululand and in my private capacity.

We have welcomed volunteers, supported families, signed off community service hours, provided counselling, opened doors, shared resources, and given our time freely.

We never expected anything in return.

What has become increasingly difficult, however, is the number of people who promise support, resources, donations, repairs, sponsorships, or assistance—and then simply disappear.

The volunteer who was passionate until the reference letter was issued.

The parent who promised support once community service hours were completed.

The person who offered resources for our programmes, only to become unreachable afterwards.

The helper who promised maintenance and repairs but never returned.

It's not about the ice cream, the park home, the repairs, or the donation itself.

It's about honouring your word.

When promises are made to a charity and not kept, it is not the organisation that loses. The real loss is felt by vulnerable people in our communities who could have benefited from comfort packs, victim empowerment services, valuable time which could have been used for counselling, support programmes, and other resources.

If circumstances change and you can no longer assist, that is understandable. Life happens. A simple phone call, message, or honest conversation is enough.

Integrity is not measured by what we promise. It is measured by what we deliver.

Before I end, I must also acknowledge and thank those individuals, businesses, organisations, and community members who have supported us over the years and continue to do so.
Some have given resources, some have given time, some have shared their skills, and some have quietly stood beside us without ever seeking recognition.

You know who you are.🙌

Your support has helped us continue serving vulnerable individuals and communities when resources were scarce and challenges were many.

🙏We are deeply grateful for every promise kept, every act of kindness, and every contribution—large or small.

You remind us that integrity, compassion, and community spirit are still very much alive.

Thankfully, despite the disappointments, we continue. We will keep serving, keep helping, and keep showing up for our community.

But I do find myself wondering:

Do people still honour their word???

Lifeline Zululand offers free counselling , trauma debriefing, prevention programmes e.g. suicidal ideation prevention and talks /dialogues/ seminars and abuse / domestic violence.

Reach out to us , we are here for you.
Office 8am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri
035-789 2472

25/05/2026

The WeCare4Me Campaign is committed to

building healthier, stronger, and more

compassionate communities through

meaningful conversations, wellness education,

and personal empowerment. We invite

individuals, schools, businesses, and

organisations to partner with us in creating

spaces where mental health, wellbeing, and

human connection truly matter.

17/05/2026

... We are reminded of how deeply important mental health awareness, emotional support, and safe spaces for our children truly are.
Lifeline Zululand extends it's condolences to the family, friends, and community of 12 year old Shivan, he felt the world on his shoulders , and didn't have the courage to ask for help.

The child died by su***de, it is a painful reminder that young people are often carrying struggles we may not always see. As parents, caregivers, educators, friends, and community members, we must continue creating environments where children feel heard, valued, supported, and safe to speak about their feelings without fear or shame.

Suicidal thoughts and emotional distress can affect anyone — including children and teenagers. Warning signs may include withdrawal (abnormal absence), hopelessness, sudden behavioural changes, giving away belongings, changes in sleep or appetite, self-harm, or talking about wanting to disappear or die.

Please check in on your children and those around you.

Listen without judgement.

Take every cry for help seriously.

At LifeLine Zululand, we encourage anyone struggling emotionally, feeling overwhelmed, isolated, anxious, depressed, or hopeless to reach out for support. Seeking help is a sign of strength — not weakness.
You are not alone. Help is available.
035-789 2472

LifeLine Zululand promotes it's campaign , which is a tool to help individuals and communities become agents of change especially around suicidal ideation.
Call us for a free activation in your area .

12/05/2026

On behalf of the Board, Management, Staff, Volunteers, and Counsellors of LifeLine Zululand, we extend our deepest condolences to the Municipality, colleagues, friends, and family of Deputy Mayor Mr Christo Botha on his passing.

Mr Botha was truly a people’s person who served the community with warmth, compassion, and dedication.
LifeLine Zululand had the privilege of working alongside him, and we will remember his approachable nature, his support for community initiatives, and the genuine care he showed towards the people he served.

His passing leaves a great loss within the municipality and the broader community.
May his legacy of service, kindness, and humanity continue to inspire all who knew him.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone mourning this significant loss during this difficult time.

With sincere sympathy,

LifeLine Zululand

11/05/2026

Raising awareness on Gender Violence, Lifeline hosted a Men and Boys Indaba at Melmoth KZN. The pictures say.1000 words.
Thank you to our Stakeholders and Partners, lifeline Zululand team, soccer teams and spectators for making this day a huge success.

Should you wish to partner with us on future events. Please let us know. We will be happy to engage with you.