From Cows to Classrooms: How Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi’s Crowdfunded Gift Will Fund Police Children’s Education

When social media users launched a light-hearted campaign to “buy two cows” for KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, it was meant as a symbolic thank-you, a uniquely South African gesture of respect and gratitude. But the R44,000 raised through the BackaBuddy platform is now set to make a far more lasting impact.

Instead of accepting the gift personally, Mkhwanazi has requested that every cent go to the South African Police Service Education Trust (SAPSET) a fund that pays for school fees, books, and uniforms for children of officers killed in the line of duty.

The plan still awaits formal approval from the office of National Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola, but once signed off, the donation will help continue a legacy of support that has already assisted more than 1,000 bereaved children since the trust’s creation in 2010.

Why this campaign mattered so much

The crowdfunding effort emerged in the wake of Mkhwanazi’s explosive public allegations earlier this year, where he accused senior police leadership, including now-suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of dismantling a special KZN political killings task team and interfering in sensitive investigations. The unit’s disbandment in March 2025 froze over 120 politically linked cases, a move Mkhwanazi said undermined justice in the province.

Armed with WhatsApp screenshots, internal SAPS documents, and cellphone records, his claims shook public trust in the police’s top brass and prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to place Mchunu on special leave. A Judicial Commission of Inquiry, chaired by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is now probing the matter, a process expected to cost nearly R148 million over six months.

Social media turns outrage into action

While the political fallout played out in courtrooms and commission hearings, ordinary South Africans decided to show solidarity in a more personal way. On X (formerly Twitter), prominent local accounts rallied followers to contribute to the “buy two cows” fund, a nod to a traditional way of honouring a respected figure in rural communities.

The campaign’s success exceeded expectations, pulling in R44,074 against its R35,000 target. Now, instead of a ceremonial livestock handover, the funds will translate into real-world educational opportunities for children who have lost their police officer parents.

A gesture that goes beyond the man

In a statement, the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster said Mkhwanazi was deeply moved by the show of public support and hoped the money would “honour the memory and sacrifice” of fallen officers by investing in their children’s futures.

SAPS spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe echoed that sentiment on social media, emphasising that the money would be used for “fees, books, and uniforms of children whose mothers and fathers died on duty.”

For many South Africans, the decision to redirect the funds feels like a full-circle moment, a gift intended for one man now becoming a lifeline for many families.

More than just a donation

In a country where public trust in institutions is often tested, this story stands out for its mix of grassroots goodwill and selflessness from a public servant. It’s a reminder that in the middle of political storms, small acts of community generosity can ripple outward in unexpected and powerful ways.

If approved, the SAPSET donation will not only help keep children in classrooms, it will also quietly reinforce the very values of service and protection that policing is meant to uphold.

{Source: IOL}

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