Welcome to the Hospital Welfare and Muslim Educational Movement
The Hospital Welfare Muslim Educational Movement was established in August 1942 when a group of individuals came together to ensure that the dietary needs of Muslim sailors admitted to Somerset Hospital were satisfied.
Initially it was known as the Hospital Welfare Society as it focused primarily at the needs of Muslim patients at the respective State hospitals and assisted Muslim families with burial matters as well as social welfare activities and programs.
In the late 1960's, the Hospital Welfare leadership was advised by a group of ANC / PAC members, led by the late Dr. Yusuf Dadoo, to establish an education fund so that the youth could study towards a higher education and play a meaningful role in a changing South Africa.
This was under the theme of “Education before Liberation”, hence in 1969 the education arm of Hospital Welfare was launched and in 1972 the organization disbursed R720 in total to needy and deserving students. Soon thereafter, the name of the organization was changed to the Hospital Welfare and Muslim Educational Movement. HWMEM also played a pivotal role in breaking down the racially-based permit system in the 1970’s & early 1980’s. Support was given by the universities at the risk of losing their government subsidies.
Since 1942, the HWMEM has travelled a long and Apartheid obstacle- laden road to prominence and success by serving people irrespective of race, creed or gender with fortitude and consistency through a diverse set of portfolios We are also proud and fortunate of the fact that for over 7 decaded, 99% of the members are volunteers who have social welfare in their blood and the need to serve the community in their hearts.
