- The Sonneblom Foundation, through the Angie Diedericks Suicide Prevention Program, offers free emergency care and counselling support to teens in crisis.
- Founded by six directors, the organisation is built on compassion, urgency, and a commitment to long-term change.
- The foundation reports a 100% success rate in suicide prevention through its network of dedicated counsellors.
South Africa’s youth suicide rate is among the highest in the world. The country ranks fifth globally, with 15.3 suicides per 100 000 people. Among those aged 15 to 24, the numbers are even more alarming, making this group the most vulnerable. Men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women, and every day, 10 children in South Africa take their own lives.
The reasons are layered and complex, economic hardship, social media pressures, and limited access to mental healthcare all play a role. Yet the most dangerous barriers remain stigma and silence. Cultural beliefs and societal shame often prevent families from seeking help, leaving children to suffer unseen. Childline South Africa receives hundreds of calls from children reporting abuse, bullying, and suicidal thoughts, yet many never make it to professional care.
A foundation built on grief and purpose
The Sonneblom Foundation was officially registered in May 2025, but its story began with tragedy. In April 2023, 16-year-old Angie Diedericks took her own life, shaking her community and sparking a grassroots movement. Led by Ingrid Temmerman, Head of Counselling, and a group of volunteer counsellors, the Angie Diedericks Suicide Prevention Program has since supported more than 600 adolescents and over 100 adults, all at no cost.
Inspired by Angie’s story, Riaan Hattingh and his wife, Irma, joined forces with five other directors, Neil van der Merwe, Dhelia Kirsten, Heidi Saunders, Natalie Edward-Graver, and Melissa Thompson, to create a structured, purpose-driven organisation. They named it the Sonneblom Foundation, after the sunflower, a symbol of resilience and warmth, and because Angie often called herself a sunflower on her Facebook page, ‘I’m a sunflower, a little funny.”
Their mission is clear: to intervene early, provide stability, and ensure no teenager in crisis ever feels completely alone.
Intervening where it matters most
The foundation operates on three core pillars: public awareness, counsellor support, and emergency care. It works to spread information about free suicide prevention resources, fund counsellors to keep services accessible, and provide immediate aid to teens in danger.
This aid can mean food, mobile data, safe transport, and in extreme cases, coordination with social workers and the courts to remove children from abusive environments. Sonneblom works exclusively with teens already receiving counselling through the Angie Diedericks program, ensuring continuity of care and long-term support.
One case involved a 15-year-old girl whose suicide risk was urgent. She was removed from her unsafe home and placed in a stable environment, with ongoing counselling and care. Today, she is thriving. The foundation reports a 100% success rate in suicide prevention among the counsellors it works with, an extraordinary testament to the power of early, compassionate intervention.
Looking ahead with resolve
The Sonneblom Foundation is preparing for the future. Its 2026–2030 goals include extending services to children as young as 10, increasing its reach to 1 000 youngsters annually, expanding its network of counsellors and volunteers, and hosting annual remembrance events. Plans are also underway to provide respite days and specialised training for counsellors.
With donation channels open through FNB, Capitec, Payfast, and soon BackaBuddy, the foundation is ready to grow its impact. It is actively calling for donors, sponsors, and volunteers who believe in the power of care and community.
“We imagine a South Africa where no teenager feels invisible,” says Hattingh. “Where support is always within reach.” That vision starts with suicide prevention awareness, compassion, and action, and it continues with each of us.
Website: https://sonneblom.org.za for direct WhatsApp links to counsellors and to donate.
Email: info@sonneblom.org.za for sponsorship and volunteering opportunities.
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