Gift of the Givers has announced the launch of Team Gift, a new monthly giving programme powered by BackaBuddy, designed to generate steady and sustainable support for their life-saving humanitarian work locally and internationally.
In a world where crises are becoming more frequent and severe, from conflict and hunger to drought and disaster, Team Gift offers ordinary South Africans a way to stand together consistently, ensuring no one is left behind when hardship strikes.
The programme was created to provide reliable support so that when emergencies arise, help can arrive without delay. Its sustainable model allows Gift of the Givers to respond faster, plan further ahead, and maintain essential care long after initial relief efforts have ended.
The inspiration for Team Gift dates back to 1990, when Dr Imtiaz Sooliman travelled to Mozambique during a time of war and drought. At Nacala Hospital, he saw two frail children digging into a dry riverbed, drinking muddy water that seeped through the soil. The moment stayed with him and sparked his early efforts to mobilise support through phone calls and faxes, ultimately raising $100,000 within five days. That mission became the foundation for Gift of the Givers, proving the power of collective compassion.
More than three decades later, the same spirit continues through Team Gift, calling South Africans to join a community of monthly donors who ensure the organisation remains ready to respond wherever help is needed.
From R50 per month, donors can pledge recurring contributions through BackaBuddy. All donations are pooled and allocated across Gift of the Givers’ key humanitarian projects, supporting food security, sanitation, healthcare, education, disaster response, and more. Because funding is stable, the organisation can plan ahead, reach deeper into crisis zones, and sustain life-saving support long after headlines fade.
To honour the spirit of collective giving, supporters worldwide are encouraged to become the first 1,000 Founding Members of Team Gift. Founding Members will gain access to exclusive benefits, including live updates through the Team Gift WhatsApp Community, with direct messages, photos, and videos from relief teams on the ground.
The initiative comes at a critical time. Crises remain unpredictable, and many projects collapse once immediate relief ends, leaving communities vulnerable. Team Gift helps close that gap by turning one-time generosity into continuous care.
Ronelle Mungaroo, Communications Manager at Gift of the Givers, says the programme embodies the heart of the organisation’s mission—a community of consistent givers ensuring readiness for the next crisis. Catherine Swanepoel, Chief Growth Officer at BackaBuddy, adds that recurring giving is one of the most powerful ways South Africans can make a long-term impact.
Gift of the Givers and BackaBuddy invite South Africans to join Team Gift and become Founding Members today.
Sign up at giftofthegivers.org/join-team-gift
Watch the Team Gift video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PGHPOeHS1c8
