Awareness, Campaign, Impact, News articles
Nine Decades of Vision – Marina van Eeden’s Legacy and the Historical Foundation of Casual Day Impact
Aug
From Living Room to Legacy: The Extraordinary Journey of APD Limpopo‘s Founding Mother
The porcelain teacup trembles slightly in the hands of 89-year-old Marina van Eeden as she recounts her extraordinary tea party at Buckingham Palace. This honour seems almost surreal, given her humble beginnings as a mother desperately seeking education for her daughter, who has a disability. Yet this moment, like so many in Marina’s remarkable journey, illustrates how individual determination combined with broad-based community support can create transformational change that spans generations.
Marina’s story isn’t just personal history—it’s the foundational narrative that explains how initiatives like Casual Day evolved from desperate necessity into sophisticated, sustainable fundraising movements that support thousands of persons with disabilities across South Africa.
The Genesis of Grassroots Advocacy
“It started with Gordon,” Marina explains, her voice carrying the weight of nine decades but losing none of its passion. Her daughter’s disability, in an era when services were virtually non-existent, forced Marina to become an innovator, advocate, and entrepreneur simultaneously. “I opened my home three times a week, creating New Horizons school in my living room. We had no funding, no government support—just determination and love.”
This grassroots beginning exemplifies the spirit that would eventually give birth to Casual Day’s broad-based fundraising philosophy. Marina understood instinctively that sustainable change required community involvement, not just institutional charity. Her approach of opening her home created ripple effects throughout the community, inspiring others to contribute resources, time, and support.
Creative Fundraising: The Blueprint for Modern Campaigns
The transition from New Horizons to mental health services required funding for Centenary Homes, and Marina’s response demonstrates the innovative thinking that characterises successful disability advocacy. “We hosted dances, organised raffles—even raffled off a Mercedes-Benz!” she recalls with evident delight. “We operated a small shop to raise funds while also fostering community connections.”
These early fundraising efforts established principles that Casual Day would later adopt on a national scale: make participation accessible, create enjoyment alongside giving, and ensure that fundraising builds community connections rather than simply extracting money. Marina’s dances weren’t just revenue generators—they were community-building events that educated attendees about disability while creating ongoing support networks.
Building Institutional Memory Through Personal Stories
As the NCPD media team conducted their interview with Marina, surrounded by photographs spanning decades of service, the historical continuity became palpable. Here was someone who had witnessed—and shaped—the entire evolution of disability services in South Africa, from a complete absence of support to the sophisticated network of APDs now operating across all nine provinces.
“The changes I’ve seen are remarkable,” Marina reflects, gesturing toward images of early facility conditions compared to today’s well-maintained grounds and professional staff. “But the heart remains the same—we’re still fighting for dignity, opportunity, and inclusion for every person with a disability.”
This institutional memory proves invaluable for contemporary fundraising efforts. When Marina speaks at Casual Day events, she doesn’t just represent APD Limpopo—she embodies the historical struggle that gives current advocacy its moral authority and emotional resonance.
Faith, Resilience, and Sustainable Leadership
Marina attributes her endurance to “the grace of God” and the love that sustained her through decades of challenge. This spiritual foundation, combined with practical determination, created leaders who could adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining core values. Her approach demonstrates how successful disability advocacy requires both strategic thinking and emotional resilience.
The leadership model Marina established—combining personal commitment with professional development—creates a foundation for modern organisations like APD Limpopo. Her mentorship for subsequent generations ensures continuity while allowing innovation—a balance essential for long-term organisational success.
From Individual Initiative to Systematic Change
The transformation Marina witnessed during the NCPD team’s visit—from a struggling community initiative to a thriving multiservice organisation—illustrates how an individual vision, supported by broad-based community fundraising, can create systematic change that outlasts its founders.
Today’s APD Limpopo operates conference facilities, accommodation services, agricultural projects, and comprehensive residential care—all developments that build upon Marina’s original vision of community-integrated disability support. Casual Day’s funding provides the sustainable revenue stream that enables this expansion while maintaining the personal touch that Marina insisted upon.
Creating Multiplicative Impact Through Partnership
Marina’s meetings with figures like Nelson Mandela weren’t mere social occasions—they represented recognition of disability advocacy as essential to South Africa’s democratic transformation. These high-level connections, earned through decades of grassroots work, established credibility that benefits contemporary fundraising efforts.
When corporate partners consider participating in Casual Day, they’re not just supporting a charity—they’re joining a movement with historical legitimacy and proven impact. Marina’s legacy provides the moral foundation that transforms business participation from a corporate social responsibility obligation into an authentic partnership with meaningful change.
Mentorship and Succession: Ensuring Continuity
At 89, Marina continues mentoring staff and board members, ensuring that institutional knowledge transfers to new generations. Her presence at APD Limpopo Events provides continuity while inspiring innovation, demonstrating how historical leadership can support rather than constrain organisational development.
The warm embrace between Marina and current director Desiré Herb during the NCPD visit symbolised this successful succession—respect for foundational vision combined with confidence in contemporary leadership. This balance enables organisations to honour their histories while adapting to changing needs and opportunities.
The Enduring Power of Vision and Community
As Marina concluded her interview, surrounded by evidence of the transformation she initiated nearly nine decades ago, the connection between individual vision and systematic change became unmistakable. Her story explains not just how APD Limpopo developed, but why initiatives like Casual Day succeed where others fail.
The broad-based fundraising model that Casual Day represents echoes Marina’s original insight: sustainable change requires community ownership, not just charitable giving. Her legacy demonstrates that when individual passion combines with strategic community engagement, the impact can span generations and transform entire societies.
Marina van Eeden’s extraordinary journey from a desperate mother to an honoured advocate illustrates the historical foundation upon which contemporary disability rights movements build, proving that with vision, determination, and community support, remarkable transformations remain possible.
Tannie Marina – A Lifetime of Love and Service | NCPD
Ready to Make a Difference too? Here’s How to Start:
Immediate Actions:
- Visit www.casualday.co.za and register your support
- Purchase Casual Day merchandise for yourself, family, or organisation
- Share these stories on social media using #CasualDay2025 #InclusionMatters
- Contact your local APD office to discuss volunteer opportunities