Every winter, thousands of people across Cape Town face the cold without the basic comfort of a blanket, a warm meal, or a safe place to sleep. For the very young, the elderly, and those already vulnerable, a single freezing night can be life-threatening. Exposure remains one of the quietest killers of winter and in the Mother City, where temperatures drop sharply and storms roll in without warning, the danger is real.

For more than a decade, Good Hope FM's 'Keep Cape Town Warm' initiative has stood as a lifeline for families, shelters and communities in need. In 2025 alone, Capetonians helped the station collect over 5 000 non-perishable items, 1 400 blankets, and 47 big bags of second-hand clothing, benefitting 41 NPOs across the city. This year, Good Hope FM and its partners are calling on the Mother City to go even further, because the need has never been greater, says the station.

From Wednesday, 22 April to Saturday, 20 June, the station is urging schools, universities, companies, community groups and individuals to rally together, challenge each other and extend a helping hand to someone in desperate need.

Good Hope FM has made it as easy as possible for listeners to get involved.

Donations of blankets and non-perishable foods can be dropped off at the SABC Studios in Sea Point and the following live school broadcasts of the Roger Goode Breakfast:

  • Wednesday, 22 April — Parow North Primary 
  • Wednesday, 29 April — Sea Point Primary 
  • Wednesday, 6 May — Pinelands North Primary 
  • Wednesday, 13 May — Sunlands Primary, and
  • Wednesday, 20 May — York Road Primary.

Additional drop-off points will be communicated on-air and via social media. 

Those who wish to donate cash can do so through pay points at these broadcasts or via dedicate donation platforms listed on Good Hope FM's platforms. 

Priya Reddy, the Director of Communications at the City of Cape Town, says, "The City of Cape Town is proud to partner with Good Hope FM as part of this year's 'Keep Cape Town Warm' campaign, strengthening our shared commitment to supporting vulnerable communities during the colder months. Through this collaboration, we can significantly expand our reach, using trusted platforms to educate, mobilise and empower residents to take action.

This partnership enables us to connect directly with communities across the metro, ensuring that critical winter readiness messaging — from flood prevention to humanitarian support — reaches those who need it most, while encouraging a spirit of collective care and responsibility. Together, we aim to drive meaningful impact by combining the City's on-the-ground service delivery efforts with Good Hope FM's powerful audience reach, inspiring Capetonians to play their part in keeping communities safe, warm and resilient this winter."

Masi Mdingane, Business Manager for Good Hope FM and 5FM, says, "Good Hope FM has always been the soundtrack of the Mother City, but we are also its most powerful helping hand. Every winter, our listeners show us what Cape Town is truly made of: compassion, generosity and massive do-good spirit. This year, in proud partnership with Community Chest and now the City of Cape Town, we're asking everyone to step up once again. If each of us gives just a little, together we can change the winter for thousands of people who could well have been our brother, sister, child, parent or friend, who would otherwise face the cold alone."

'Keep Cape Town Warm' will conclude in the week of 20 June with a Good Hope FM live broadcast from Community Chest HQ, but donations will be distributed 
throughout, ensuring that all donations are distributed to the families, shelters and community organisations who need them most before the coldest weather hits 
Cape Town, concludes the station.

For more information, visit www.goodhopefm.co.za. You can also follow Good Hope FM on Facebook, X, Instagram, or on TikTok.

*Image courtesy of contributor