
*29.07.1938 ✝︎ 15.05.2024
Dear Friends of Golden Sunbeams
It is with great sadness that we inform you that our dear friend and founder of Golden Sunbeams e.V. has passed away tonight.
We will miss his laughter, his lovable nature, willingness to help, empathy, warmth of heart and his sense of humour.
He has been committed to his goal of improving living conditions and opportunities for disadvantaged children in the townships of the Cape Region for almost 30 years.

In 1995, the then 57-year-old qualified engineer and manager came to South Africa for the first time – and found a new home here in Somerset West in the Helderberg region. With commitment and passion, he built his first kindergarten and pre-school in the township of Macassar: He called Helderberg Golden Sunbeam “his baby”. In 2014, Bernd met Britta in South Africa and founded an organisation with her: Golden Sunbeams e.V. Since 2018, the fledgling organisation has supported children with a wide variety of projects that improve their livelihoods and help overcome disadvantages and inequality. Sustainability is the basis of their actions because they promote and initiate self-help projects in particular.
To date, one kindergarten has grown into 17 kindergartens and pre-schools with a total of almost 1,000 girls and boys who are looked after by qualified kindergarten teachers. Bernd was called “Mr. “Welcome”. The children hung on the corners of his checked shirts and wherever he appeared, clusters of little people formed around him who took him in their arms and wanted to be hugged by him. Bernd loved and nurtured these countless intimate relationships very much. He was very proud of that too.
Bernd has struggled with his health for many months, overcoming a number of crises but always got back on his feet. Unfortunately this time he didn’t succeed. He fell asleep peacefully with a contented smile.
We will honour his memory forever and continue to run and develop Golden Sunbeams e.V. in his interests.
We express our deepest sympathy to his wife Dorothee and his children, Nikola and Guido, with their great loss.
On behalf of the board of Golden Sunbeams e.V.
Britta Belz