Mdala Trust

Mdala Trust Supporting Rhodesian and Zimbabwean Pensioners Four prominent and respected persons were asked to serve as Patrons and they all readily agreed. Now retired.

Many Rhodesian and Zimbabwean old age pensioners who emigrated have been left in dire financial straits after a lifetime of hard work as their pensions have been terminated due to the economic situation in Zimbabwe and exacerbated by the ravages of ever increasing costs of living. The Mdala Trust is a legally registered organization that provides regular and meaningful support to destitute or need

y Rhodesian and Zimbabwean pensioners resident in the South Africa. In late 2003 it became obvious that many of the Rhodesian and Zimbabwean pensioners resident in South Africa were in dire financial straits as their pensions had been stopped earlier that year, added to which was the effect of the high and ever increasing local cost of living. It was decided to form a legally registered Trust and search for financial donations for the regular support of those pensioners who were identified as being destitute or in serious financial need. This was successfully achieved and The M’dala Trust was established and has been fully functional since January 2004. A Board of Trustees was assembled and the Notarial Founding Deed was compiled through the professional expertise of Mr Richard Rosenthal of Richard Rosenthal Attorneys. Mr Eric Salomon of Eric Salomon and Company offered his services as the auditor and Mr Konrad Laker agreed to be the Accounts Examining Officer. The Patrons
Our esteemed, enthusiastic and supportive Patrons of the Trust are:

Adrian Gardiner
Dave Hughes
Mark McNulty
Aviva Pelham

The Trustees

Nick Linnell (69)

Educated at Prince Edward School . Graduated Bachelor of Law, LLB and BCom (Hons). Eighteen years in the corporate world, followed by twenty years in consulting. Michael Gibbons (52)

Educated at Hamilton High School in Bulawayo until 1981 then Bishops College in Cape Town. Registered as a Professional Valuer with both the Institute and the South African Property Valuers Profession. Since 1996 has been the Managing Director of Mills Fitchet Magnus Penny in Cape Town. Ian Johnston (80)

Educated at Prince Edward School. Worked for BP and Shell, member of the management team reporting to BP Africa and the United Kingdom. Charles Montgomery (60)

Educated in Salisbury and in the United Kingdom. Owner of Polyhandy (Pvt) Ltd in Salisbury, then relocated to Cape Town in 2002 and became owner of National Cartridge Co which trades as Suburban Guns. In 2006 became 50% owner of Chair Crazy (Pty) Ltd. Chris Bradshaw (59)

Educated at Marandellas and Prince Edward High schools. Originally a farmer and ending up as Managing Director of Copro Ltd (The trading Company of the Ostrich Producers of Zimbabwe). Presently involved in export trading of exotic meats and skins, primarily involved in the Crocodile industry. Richard Ballance(72)

Educated at Umtali Boys High School, and Rhodes University. Richard was both a Rhodesian Schools Cricketer and Rhodesian Tennis player. Richard's career has been in Financial Management and has held financial Manager and Director positions with Human Wildlife Solutions, Tembeka Social investment Company, Biggie Best, and South African Breweries. Richard did his articles with Deloitte and Touche and is a valuable addition to the Trusteeship. Sandy Irvine

Age 68, Born in Zimbabwe, completed schooling at Prince Edward.Did a Bachelor or Law Degree. After serving articles worked for several notable companies in Zimbabwe including Schweppes Central Africa as Managing Director. For the past 20 years he has run his Agricultural commodity trading business based in Harare. Sandy will represent the Trust in Zimbabwe being based in Harare. Acknowledgement : Leon Jacobs

The Trustees record that Leon Jacobs retired as a Trustee on 30th September 2020. Leon founded the Mdala Trust in 2004 together with a few colleagues who then felt the urgent and critical need to support the many indigent former Zimbabweans living in the Western Cape. Leon became the founding Chairman of Trustees and served in that capacity for sixteen years. Leon was instrumental in building a valued group of dedicated donors from across the globe, who, all together, have contributed millions of Rands which have in turn been channeled to needy beneficiaries. This assistance has mainly been in the form of monthly food vouchers. which Leon personally visited Pick N Pay every month for 16 years to collect and distribute. Leon also introduced the extension of this support to various medical treatments for beneficiaries and more recently also the provision of frail care facilities. Leon, together with Ant Grace, another former Trustee, launched what became an annual Mdala Trust golf day. Over the years many former Zimbabweans have come together and renewed old friendships and and contributed further valuable funds that the Trust requires to assist the needy. Leon’s wife, Marlene, has also been a major supporter and contributor to the Trust and we also thank Marlene for her wonderful support. To Leon and Marlene we thank you for your great contributions.

27/08/2026

Many of our beloved Pensioners who are on a WhatsApp group together are so re assured by being connected. They give each other incredible moral support and have amazing ideas and contacts to help each other when in crisis.

They also post lovely thankful messages like this every month to show their appreciation for YOUR support as you help us to help them, thank you in turn to you all!

“Good morning and thank you Chris and Nick and all M'Dala Trust trustees and contributors to the fund. You are life savers one and all. Not sure how I would survive without your monthly gift. I dont believe there is anyone else in the world who take care of the struggling elders born in a country, that no longer exists!!! It sounds like a fairy tale where the children are saved from the evil King. One day the world will hear about Rhodesian people their love for their country ❤ and its people. ❤ Where in the dark days of the 21st century amongst all the darkness a light shone upon a group of givers and receivers who loved a once great kingdom called RHODESIA.”

25/03/2026

We are blessed to be able to help!

Dear Nick, C.J and all the trustees. Sometimes words don't seem enough to say THANK YOU for all your help. I move into Bartle house in Natal on the 17th April, my furniture goes to Natal from Mooinooi on the 13th April. There are no words to thank you for your help moving into my forever home. ❤ There is so much doom and gloom in the world right now and your love and light shines like a lighthouse in a storm proving that there are still kind and good people in the world. I am blessed to be a Rhodesian and a recipient of the M'DALA TRUST your love and light touches the lives and hearts of Rhodesians far and wide. TATENDA SHAMWARIS.
🙏❤😘🫂

We've just completed an extraordinary M’dala Trust Old Legs Tour de Kaap Cycletour 2026. Fifteen riders embarked on a 50...
18/03/2026

We've just completed an extraordinary M’dala Trust Old Legs Tour de Kaap Cycletour 2026. Fifteen riders embarked on a 500 km journey through the very challenging Cederberg mountains, driven by their passion to make a difference in the lives of our beloved Zimbabwean Pensioners. The tour culminates each year with a photo finish at the Cape Cycletour race. Together, we look like we are on track to raise over R200 000 which is wonderful. We are so grateful for the unwavering support of our devoted seconders, who played a vital role in our success. We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you, including Debs Bradshaw, John and Sue Sole, Dave and Brenda Jenkins, Lori Watermeyer, Diana Wall, Trevor and Di Lillford, Louise Gregory, and Debra Harte. Your contributions have been invaluable. We're also thankful for the incredible riders who joined us, Chris (CJ) Bradshaw, Andrew Brown, Debbie Swales, Gary Prothero, Rob Skinner, Andrew and Caz Langford, Neil and Liz Madgwick, Helen Patchett, Alastair, Laurie, and Fiona Watermeyer, Stephen, Gregory, Tyrone Beunk, and Heinrich Muller. If you'd like to contribute to this remarkable cause, please visit

www.givengain.com/campaign/2026-tour-de-kaap.

Thank you all !

Mdala Trust Old Legs tour de Kaap 2026 please help us to help them !
12/01/2026

Mdala Trust Old Legs tour de Kaap 2026 please help us to help them !

Hello! I'm Chris, and I'm passionate about making a difference in the lives of elderly Zimbabweans who are struggling due to lost pensions and political turmoil over the years. Together with the Mdala Trust, we can provide vital support and care for these individuals who have faced tremendous challe...

M'dala Trust Golf daysWe have been honoured and incredibly well supported by the folk in the Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, an...
24/11/2025

M'dala Trust Golf days
We have been honoured and incredibly well supported by the folk in the Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, and held our respective annual golf days. Full fields of 144 players played and contributed enormously to the M'dala Trust cause. Without you we would not be able to help our beloved Pensioners as we do. Thank-you to one and all for your most generous support.

Special thanks to Mark McNulty a patron of the Trust who so generously gives of his time to play with us.

Our incredible sponsors Hollywood Bets are so gracious, and we give enormous thanks for their support.

It has been our incredible privilege to have been able to offer help and support to beloved Muss Gammon, who tragically ...
24/11/2025

It has been our incredible privilege to have been able to offer help and support to beloved Muss Gammon, who tragically passed away a few weeks ago. Muss was one of our many, many Rhodesian legends, and was so well respected as a Golfer and coach. Our condolences to the Gammon family. R.I.P Muss you will be remembered with much reverence.

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