South Africans Vote for Kindness Party

One of the most fascinating events of this year’s South African local government elections was a unique campaign driven by the Kindness Party (KP), whose manifesto was embodied in a small yellow plastic charity box called an ARK – an acronym for “Acts of Random Kindness”. The KP is headed by Chabad Shliach Rabbi David Masinter.

From CNBC South Africa:

“Putting aside all our political differences, one thing that most South Africans can agree on is that everyone should increase their acts of goodness and kindness,” says a man who wants to restore kindness in the world, Rabbi David Masinter.

With the election buzz coming to an end, one of the most fascinating events of this year’s South African local government elections was a unique campaign driven by the Kindness Party (KP), whose manifesto was embodied in a small yellow plastic charity box called an ARK – an acronym for “Acts of Random Kindness”.

The KP is headed by Rabbi Masinter – director of Chabad House which campaigns like a political party.It has an annual fundraising event called Miracle Drive. The party or some might say ‘programme’ has distributed close to half a million ARKs over the past two years, with the intention that people will fill them up with money before giving them to someone else in need, or a charity of their choice.

The difference though is that the KP is not formally registered with the IEC, but had its election posters up in numerous street poles throughout Gauteng, right above and beneath the ones of ANC, DA, EFF and others, with a headline strong enough to catch your attention, “Vote for Kindness”.

Similar to the campaign strategy of a certain political party, prominent celebrities such as South African national football star Dean Furman, radio personality Gareth Cliff and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane have endorsed the ARK project. On Voting Day, polling booths were set up at Hyde Park Corner in Johannesburg and thousands of ARKs were distributed. TV ads were also made for the programme.

Click here to continue reading at CNBC South Africa.

4 Comments

  • anomynous

    Rabbi Masinter. You are AWESOME!! Love it! You changing the world for the best! Moshiach NOW!!

  • Someone please teach me

    Is there a reason goyim should have a tzedoko box (did the Rebbe ever say so) goodness and kindness yes, but I do not remember ever a tzedoko box

  • Ch'er

    Wonderful. Hatzlacha.

    As a yid I need to criticize. (Lol)
    The photo on the wall doesn’t look straight.