Greyton’s Heritage Day potjie fundraiser raises R35 000 for volunteer firefighters

A potjie takes patience. Selling one out, it seems, can happen rather quickly in Greyton.

The Heritage Day potjie fundraiser on Thursday, 24 September 2026 brought together cooking teams, donors, helpers and hungry supporters for an afternoon that raised R35 000 for Greyton’s volunteer firefighters. People came to eat, drink, laugh and support a practical local cause — and the response left the organisers delighted.

“R35 000 in one afternoon is NUTS!” was their understandably enthusiastic assessment. Behind that excitement is an important result: the funds bring the firefighters very close to getting their fire tank fully operational for the coming fire season.

A shared effort, from the pots to the prizes

The organisers described a fantastic day out with a great atmosphere. While the potjie teams did the cooking, the effort extended well beyond the pots.

Ingredients and prizes were generously donated, and helpers worked behind the scenes to make the day possible. Then there were the people who arrived ready to enjoy a meal and support the fundraiser. Each contribution formed part of the afternoon’s success, whether it involved cooking, giving, helping or simply turning up.

That is worth recognising alongside the total raised. A community fundraiser depends on many people doing their part, including those whose work is less visible on the day. The organisers’ thanks go to the teams, donors, helpers and supporters who together made this result possible.

Their simplest reflection perhaps says it best: “This is what community looks like.”

What the R35 000 will help achieve

The fundraiser had a clear purpose: helping Greyton’s volunteer firefighters get their fire tank fully operational for fire season.

According to the organisers, a new pump costs about R40 000, while hoses cost about R2 500 each. Those figures give some perspective on the cost of the equipment and why an afternoon’s fundraising can make a meaningful difference.

The R35 000 raised is a substantial contribution towards the work, but there is still a little way to go. Their message now is that they would love to finish what they started.

Next time, double the food

Perhaps the most telling detail from the afternoon is that the food sold out so quickly that hardly any of the cooks got to eat.

It is a cheerful measure of the support, though those who spent their time preparing the potjies might reasonably hope for a plate of their own next time. The organisers have already identified one change they would like to make: next year, they plan to do double.

After such a positive response, they also believe the fundraiser is likely to become a yearly event — the appetite for the first gathering was certainly there.

There is still time to support the effort

Anyone who missed the fundraiser can still help towards getting the fire tank fully operational.

For now, the afternoon offers plenty to celebrate: generous donations, well-supported cooking teams, a lively gathering and R35 000 raised for Greyton’s volunteer firefighters.

If you would like to contribute, you are welcome to contact Christoff Coetzer on +27 82 361 5490 or Marinda van Jaarsveld on +27 72 836 6615 for the donation details and payment link.