By Roger Houghton
Three charities in the Sedgefield area have benefitted from donations amounting to R60 000 raised at the Eden Classic Car and Motorcycle Show held recently at the Scarab Arts and Crafts Market in Sedgefield as part of the annual Knysna Oyster Festival. Last year local charities received R42 000
“The recent show once again proved very popular with 2 000 people coming to see the cars and enjoy a day out and we are pleased we could make donations to deserving local charities from the proceeds,” said Peter Pretorius, chairman of the show organising committee.
The bulk or the money, R40 000, went to Masithandane, an organisation established in 2006, whichassists previously disadvantaged people living in isolated communitiesin therural and outlying areas around Sedgefield. Current programmes include care of vulnerable children, home- and community-based care and clinic support for health, welfare, and matters such as food security education and job creation. The specific need for Masithandaneis for a vehicle additional to the well-used bakkie used currently.
The other charities which received donations of R10 000 each were the Knysna/Sedgefield Hospiceand Cherished, a community-based support programmededicated to empowering children from disadvantagedcommunities. Cherished will use the money to set up a computer laboratory located in a government school inSmutsville.
“Many positive comments were received about the organisation and quality of the motor show. However, no decision has been taken regarding a date or the possibility of staging a show of this nature in 2026 as the site used used for the car and motorcycle displays is being re-developed.
“In addition, arranging a show of this quality and magnitude is a huge task and with some of our long-standing committee members no longer available a new committee will have to be put in place. We will keep the public updated on future developments regarding the staging of a motor show in 2026,” said Pretorius.
“We are very grateful for the support of our members and the people living on the Garden Route as well as those enthusiasts who brought their special cars and motorcycles as well as visitors, from cities and townson the Garden Route and as far away as Cape Town and Port Elizabeth who made our shows in 2024 and 2025 such big successes. Not only was the quality and variety of cars on display exceptional but the real winners were the struggling charities in Sedgefield,” concluded Pretorius.