In 2018, South Africans—and supporters from around the globe—rallied behind the Trevor Noah Foundation’s very first major crowdfunding campaign for #GivingTuesdaySA. This wasn’t just a fundraiser; it was a movement, igniting hope and affirming the belief that education is the most powerful tool we have to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter, more inclusive South Africa.
That same year, comedian Trevor Noah launched the Trevor Noah Foundation (TNF) with a bold vision: to see every generation of South Africans empowered through quality education to rise above their circumstances and build on the progress of those before them. At the heart of this vision was a deep commitment to the youth—especially those facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
TNF’s pilot programme began at New Nation School in Vrededorp, a spirited and resilient government school that continues to thrive against the odds. Many of its learners come from vulnerable backgrounds, including poverty, abandonment, and even statelessness. Yet, they show up, work hard, and dream big.
Thanks to generous donor support, the Foundation was able to invest in vital areas like digital literacy, infrastructure upgrades, and teacher development. These contributions gave learners access to the tools and training they need to thrive in a fast-changing world. By creating a nurturing learning environment with skilled, compassionate educators, TNF laid the foundation for lasting change.
To amplify the campaign’s success, Trevor Noah personally pledged to match every donation—rand for rand—up to R2 million. This heartfelt gesture didn’t just double the impact; it inspired thousands to step up and be part of something meaningful. While special incentives like signed books and VIP experiences added to the excitement, it was the shared belief in the life-changing power of education that truly united supporters.
Together, donors raised R153 000 during the 2018 #GivingTuesdaySA campaign—a significant and meaningful contribution that set the stage for years of impact. More than just a number, it represented thousands of acts of kindness, moments of generosity, and a shared commitment to a better tomorrow.
The success of this campaign marked the beginning of a powerful journey. Donors became co-creators of a legacy that continues to grow—supporting TNF’s mission to achieve a 100% transition rate for matric students into further education. Because of that first spark, countless learners now walk a path paved with possibility.
Years later, the ripples of that first campaign are still being felt. It proved that when we come together and invest in education, we plant seeds of opportunity, resilience, and hope—for today, and for generations to come.
Donate to a campaign that inspires you and join a community of donors make a difference
In 2020, cricketer JP Duminy launched the Be Someone’s Tomorrow campaign in support of the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR), calling on the public to help patients fighting life-threatening blood disorders access the stem cell transplants they urgently needed. What followed was an extraordinary outpouring of compassion. Through the BackaBuddy platform, generous donors came together to raise R2 800 towards the R300 000 goal — a heartfelt reminder that even the smallest contributions can spark immense hope and change lives.
For donors, this campaign went beyond a festive season appeal — it became a personal mission to offer second chances to those who had run out of options. Every contribution, whether large or small, helped ease the burden on patients and their families. Many South Africans, especially those without medical aid, simply cannot afford the high costs associated with finding a matching donor. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the SABMR’s Patient Assistance Programme was able to cover expenses such as donor recruitment, tissue typing, and transplant-related medical bills.
What moved so many to support the campaign was its deeply human focus. Donors weren’t just giving to a cause — they were giving to real people: an 11-year-old girl, a mother, a grandfather. Behind every rand donated was a heartfelt belief that no one should be denied the chance to live because of financial barriers. The idea of families spending Christmas in hospital instead of around a table with loved ones resonated deeply with many supporters, particularly during the emotional highs and lows of the holiday season.
The campaign also sparked much-needed awareness around the lack of ethnic representation on the bone marrow registry. Many donors were alarmed to learn how poorly represented people of colour are on the SABMR database — with coloured, black, and Indian donors collectively making up less than 30% of the registry. This imbalance means that patients of colour face much slimmer odds of finding a match. For many supporters, this knowledge became a turning point, prompting them to not only donate but also sign up as potential donors themselves.
Donors were instrumental in shifting this reality. Their support didn’t just help individuals in crisis — it sent a wider message about equity, representation, and the power of community. By funding critical searches and treatments, they helped ensure that patients from all walks of life were given a fighting chance, regardless of their financial means or background.
The Be Someone’s Tomorrow campaign was a reminder of what’s possible when compassion leads the way. It proved that when donors rally together with purpose, lives are saved, hope is restored, and families are reunited. Today, the impact of their kindness continues to echo through every successful transplant and every patient who got to go home — because someone, somewhere, chose to care.
For those who were part of the journey in 2020, the results speak for themselves: your generosity changed lives.
In the quiet corridors of generosity, some stories shine not only because of their emotional weight, but because of the extraordinary people who choose to act with compassion. One such person is Catherine du Plooy, Chief Growth Officer at BackaBuddy, and one of our generous staff donors.
Catherine recently chose to support the Stand by Theo & Geraldine campaign, a heartfelt initiative launched to support a beloved couple in her community after Theo’s sudden cancer diagnosis. But for Catherine, this wasn’t just another campaign, it was deeply personal.
“They’re dear friends of our family and have been for many years,” she shares. “Theo has always had such a generous heart, always looking to help others. His dad was friends with my grandfather, and their farm is right next to ours. They’re just genuinely kind, salt-of-the-earth people.”
Theo’s diagnosis came as a shock, a reminder of how life can change in an instant. “It hit close to home,” Catherine says. “My brother is also living with cancer, so I deeply understand the shock and the weight that a diagnosis like this brings. One day Theo was healthy, and the next, everything changed. It really reminds you how fragile and precious life is.”
As BackaBuddy’s CGO, Catherine spends her days empowering others to fundraise and find hope through the power of community. But this time, it was her own community that needed support, and she didn’t hesitate to lead by example.
“It feels good to be able to support them, but I also wish we could all do more,” she says. “People like Theo and Geraldine have poured so much into their community, it’s only right that we rally around them now.”
Catherine’s act of giving is more than a donation, it’s a reflection of her values, both as a leader and as a friend. “There’s something incredibly powerful about people coming together,” she reflects. “Especially when it’s for someone who has been a blessing to others, it’s like the kindness gets multiplied.”
At BackaBuddy, we are proud to have leaders who lead with heart. Catherine, thank you for showing us what it means to live out the mission, not only in the work you do but in the way you give.
