Gift of the Givers has introduced Team Gift, a new monthly giving programme powered by BackaBuddy, aimed at creating steady and sustainable support for the organisation’s humanitarian work in South Africa and beyond.
In a time when crises are increasing in both frequency and intensity, from conflict and drought to hunger and disaster, Team Gift offers South Africans a way to make a lasting difference by standing together in solidarity — ensuring that no one is left behind when hardship strikes.
A new source of hope and stability
Every year, millions of people continue to face the effects of poverty, natural disasters, and limited access to healthcare. Team Gift was developed to provide ongoing support so that help can arrive quickly when emergencies occur.
By generating consistent funding, the programme enables Gift of the Givers to plan further ahead, respond faster, and sustain vital aid long after the initial wave of relief has passed.
From a riverbed in Mozambique to a movement of hope
The story behind Team Gift dates back to 1990, when a young Dr Imtiaz Sooliman joined the Islamic Medical Association on a mission to Mozambique during a time of war and drought.
While visiting Nacala Hospital, he saw two frail children drinking muddy water from a dry riverbed — an image that would stay with him forever. It became a defining moment, highlighting how easily people can take safety and clean water for granted.
Determined to act, Dr Sooliman shared what he had witnessed through phone calls and faxes, his version of crowdfunding before the internet era. Within five days, his friends and colleagues raised $100,000, which funded 30 boreholes and essential malaria medication.
That first mission laid the foundation for Gift of the Givers, proving that when compassion meets action, remarkable things happen. More than three decades later, that same spirit continues through Team Gift, which invites South Africans to become part of a united community of monthly donors.
How Team Gift works
For as little as R50 per month, supporters can pledge recurring contributions through BackaBuddy, joining a growing network of consistent givers. All funds are distributed across Gift of the Givers’ key humanitarian initiatives, which include food security, water and sanitation, education, healthcare, and disaster response.
Because the funding is predictable and ongoing, the organisation can plan for the future, expand its reach into crisis zones, and continue to provide life-saving support long after the headlines fade.
Exclusive benefits for Founding Members
To celebrate the programme’s launch, the first 1,000 people to join Team Gift will be recognised as Founding Members.
These supporters will gain access to the Team Gift WhatsApp Community, receiving real-time updates, photos, and videos directly from the organisation’s relief teams in the field – offering a rare, behind-the-scenes view of humanitarian work in action.
Why Team Gift matters now
Unpredictable crises demand reliable compassion. Too often, projects lose momentum once immediate relief ends, leaving communities exposed. Team Gift bridges that gap by transforming one-time donations into ongoing care.
“Team Gift represents the heart of our mission – a community of consistent givers who ensure that when the next crisis arrives, we are already prepared,” says Ronelle Mungaroo, Communications Manager at Gift of the Givers. “Every monthly donation, no matter how small, helps sustain the lifeline that keeps hope alive.”
Catherine Swanepoel, Chief Growth Officer at BackaBuddy, adds, “Recurring giving is one of the most powerful ways South Africans can make an impact. Through Team Gift, we’re helping to build a community of everyday heroes who make long-term humanitarian work possible.”
Join Team Gift today
Gift of the Givers and BackaBuddy are calling on all South Africans to turn compassion into action by becoming part of Team Gift. Sign up HERE.
Watch the Team Gift video below:
More info about Gift of the Givers
Founded in 1992, Gift of the Givers is Africa’s largest disaster response NGO, having delivered over R6 billion in aid across 47 countries. The organisation’s work spans food security, healthcare, education, water provision, and infrastructure development, along with rapid local disaster relief efforts that build resilience at home and abroad.
Its mission is simple yet profound – to bring hope and restore dignity to those who need it most.
About BackaBuddy
BackaBuddy is South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, empowering individuals and organisations to raise funds securely for causes they care about. Since its inception, BackaBuddy has helped raise over R610 million for thousands of campaigns across the country, providing support during times of need and enabling sustainable, long-term impact through recurring donations.
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