01 Pillar
Education
School fees, learning materials and the everyday tools that let children stay in class and stay curious.
ZARI FOUNDATION NPC · South Africa
Every child deserves the chance to thrive.
Zari Foundation supports children and communities across South Africa, and Zari Hassan is helping make that possible.
ZARI FOUNDATION NPC|A registered Public Benefit Organisation|Founded and championed by Zari Hassan
About the foundation
Practical support, delivered directly to the children and communities that need it.
Zari Foundation is a South African philanthropic organisation supporting children and communities through the essentials of everyday life: a place in a classroom, food on the table, warm clothing, the confidence that comes from sport, and the practical help families ask for on the ground.
We work directly with children's homes, schools and community groups. Every visit is an opportunity to listen first. The needs we respond to are the needs the communities themselves have named.
The stories, images and updates on this site are drawn from real activity. When a figure or fact isn't yet verified, we say so rather than fill the gap.
What we support
Five areas of care.
Each area exists because it was asked for. Choose one to support directly, or let the foundation direct your contribution to the most urgent need.
02 Pillar
Food & Essentials
Food parcels and essential household items for children, families and community homes.
03 Pillar
Warmth & Clothing
Blankets and new clothing distributed where the need is greatest, especially through the colder months.
04 Pillar
Sports & Opportunity
Sports equipment and organised activities that build confidence, teamwork and a sense of belonging.
05 Pillar
Community Support
Practical needs identified directly through the foundation's work on the ground.
Community of supporters
Join supporters helping the foundation extend its work.
Every contribution helps the foundation reach further, into classrooms, homes and communities across South Africa and beyond.
The founder
Zari Hassan.
Zari Hassan, known publicly as Zari the Boss Lady, is a Ugandan born entrepreneur based in South Africa, CEO of Brooklyn City College, and a cast member of Netflix's Young, Famous & African.
She founded Zari Foundation to channel her public platform into practical, on the ground support for children and communities.
Her platform helps this work reach further. The work itself belongs to the foundation, its team, and the communities it supports.
Stories & gallery
Moments from the work.
A record of visits, distributions and gatherings, the people the foundation serves and the team on the ground.
Transparency & accountability
A clear account of who we are.
The foundation operates as a registered nonprofit under South African law. Below is a summary of our legal standing. Full SARS approval details are available in the expandable panel.
- Legal name
- ZARI FOUNDATION NPC
- Status
- Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) contemplated in Section 30 of the Income Tax Act
- SARS exemption
- Approved for income tax exemption under Section 10(1)(cN), effective 27 May 2026, on a partial exemption basis
- Public benefit activities
- Health care services to poor and needy persons. Administration and promotion of non professional sport and recreation. Training for unemployed persons to obtain employment.
Full SARS approval & tax exemptionsShow
Applicable section
Section 10(1)(cN) of the Income Tax Act.
Approval type
Partial exemption. All receipts and accruals from trading or business activities which fall outside the exemption criteria remain subject to tax.
Effective date
27 May 2026.
Exemptions from other taxes and duties
- Donations made or received are exempt from Donations Tax.
- Dividends received or accrued (excluding distribution of assets in specie) are exempt from Dividends Tax.
- Donations and bequests received or accrued are exempt from Capital Gains Tax.
- The disposal of minimal or permissible trading assets by the PBO is exempt from Capital Gains Tax.
- The disposal of non trade assets and assets used to produce exempt income is exempt from Capital Gains Tax.
- Bequests received or accrued are excluded from Estate Duty.
- Acquisition of property is exempt from Transfer Duty, provided at least 85% of the property is used for approved public benefit activities.
- Securities received or accrued are exempt from Securities Transfer Tax, where the entity would be legally liable.
Compliance
Approval is subject to continued compliance with the Tax Acts, including timely submission of annual and third party returns, and payment of any monies due to SARS.
The work continues
Ongoing support helps the foundation keep responding.
Every contribution, whether once or repeated, extends the reach of the next visit, the next classroom, the next family supported.
Direct contact
Speak with the foundation.
The fastest way to reach the team is on WhatsApp. Message us with any question about support, ideas, partnerships, or just to say hello. You can also email us any time.