About Golden Sunbeams e.V.
Britta Belz and Bernd Holtkamp founded their association in 2018. Bernd Holtkamp passed away on May 15, 2024. Today the association is managed by Britta Belz, Michael Stiller and Brigitte Stegmayer.Our Goal: To improve Opportunities for disadvantaged Children and their Families in Townships
A young organization with over 20 years of impact.
Creating a future together
Golden Sunbeams e.V. was founded in 2018 by Britta Belz and Bernd Holtkamp. Since Bernd Holtkamp’s death in May 2024, the association is currently managed by Britta Belz, along with Michael Stiller and Brigitte Stegmayer. Together, they continue Bernd’s life’s work – with the goal of providing disadvantaged children and their families in the townships of the Cape region with better opportunities for the future.
Our history
The story of Golden Sunbeams began long before the association was founded. In 1995, Bernd Holtkamp, a graduate engineer and former manager of an international logistics company, moved from the Frankfurt area to South Africa. He quickly realized that education is the key to a better future for children in the townships.
In 1998, he opened the first kindergarten, “Helderberg Golden Sunbeam,” in the Macassar township, about 45 kilometers southeast of Cape Town. Over the years, this initial project has grown into a network of approximately 17 kindergartens, serving around 1.000 children.
Many of the former children have since successfully completed their schooling, vocational training, and earned their own income. Their stories demonstrate how crucial early childhood education is for a self-determined life.
In addition to the first kindergarten, further preschools and educational projects were established, which Bernd Holtkamp financed over many years with private funds and the support of dedicated friends.Die Geschichte von Golden Sunbeams begann bereits lange vor der Vereinsgründung. 1995 zog
The Founding of the Association
In 2014, Britta Belz, a former manager at a Frankfurt-based financial group and an expert in marketing and communications, moved to Gordon’s Bay. Her goal was to make a lasting contribution to disadvantaged children in the Cape region and to support sustainable projects.
Together, Britta Belz and Bernd Holtkamp decided to combine their experience, commitment, and networks in a non-profit organisation. This led to the founding of Golden Sunbeams e.V. in 2018.
Since then, the association has supported numerous projects that provide children with better educational and developmental opportunities. The focus is on sustainable aid for self-help and the long-term improvement of living conditions in the townships.
Bernd’s legacy
Bernd Holtkamp passed away on May 15, 2024, at the age of 85. His death was a great loss – both personally and for the association.
Even before his death, Bernd and Britta had planned the future of Golden Sunbeams together. It was Bernd’s express wish that Britta Belz succeed him and continue their life’s work together. Golden Sunbeams e.V. was founded precisely because of this idea: to ensure that the Edu-Care centres and projects set up by Bernd exist in the long term and continue to be supported.
At the General meeting on May 16, 2024, Britta Belz was elected first chairwoman. Claudia Beißner-Hilbert, who had accompanied the association as a committed member since its founding, took over the office of deputy chairwoman and treasurer.
The board today
At the members’ meeting on May 19, 2026, Claudia Beißner-Hilbert did not stand for re-election due to professional reasons.
Michael Stiller was elected as her successor as vice-chairman and treasurer. He has been a member of the association since its founding, has known its development from the very beginning, and regularly visits the projects in South Africa. He met Bernd Holtkamp personally during a visit in 2023.
Brigitte Stegmayer is also part of the current board. As a founding member and long-time confidante of Bernd Holtkamp, she has supported Golden Sunbeams since its inception, contributing her extensive experience in the field.
Britta Belz, Michael Stiller, and Brigitte Stegmayer were unanimously elected to their positions on May 19, 2026. Together, they will continue to lead Golden Sunbeams e.V. in the spirit of its founder – with the goal of enabling as many children as possible in South Africa to have a better future through education, care, and sustainable support.
“Golden Sunbeams e.V.” acts independently of ethnic, religious, ideological and economic interests.
Join Golden Sunbeams!
A donation, membership, or voluntary work: every means of contributing helps to create better opportunities for disadvantaged children and their families in the Cape Town townships.