Pictured above: Brett Chilcott and David Klinkradt with Gavin Rossouw (Image: Action photos)
The Cape Cycle Tour is one of the most popular cycling events in South Africa, drawing cyclists from all over the world to Cape Town for a challenging and exhilarating race. But for some participants, the race is about more than just personal achievement – it’s about making a difference in the lives of others.
BackaBuddy, a South African crowdfunding platform, provides a platform for cyclists to make a difference by connecting them with charities and individuals in need. Many individuals have signed up to cycle for a charity or someone in need, using the Cape Town Cycle Tour as a platform to raise awareness and funds for various causes.
Here are a few charities on BackaBuddy participating this year:
Every donation, no matter how small, can contribute to positive change and impact the lives of those in need. By supporting the cycling campaigns on BackaBuddy, you are not only helping to fund important causes, but you are also showing your support for those who are using their passion for cycling to make a difference.
Check out one cyclist’s story, Brett Chilcott, whose life has been impacted by his participation in the cycle tour. Read more
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R390 Million.
Raise funds for an individual or cause.
Register your non-profit organisation.
Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.
As the financial year comes to a close, it’s an amazing opportunity to show your support for charities that are doing incredible work in your community. Not only will you be making a positive impact on people’s lives, but you can also benefit from a tax deduction when you donate to registered Section 18A charities.
Section 18A of the South African Income Tax Act provides a wonderful tax incentive for individuals and businesses who make donations to qualifying public benefit organizations.
Thankfully, finding vetted Section 18A charities is now easier than ever. We connect passionate individuals with fully vetted organizations that are making a real difference in various fields, including education, healthcare, youth development, animal welfare, and the environment.
Here are a few charities on BackaBuddy in need of support:
Remember, every donation counts, no matter how small. By giving to these Section 18A registered organisations you can make a real difference in your community while also benefiting from a tax deduction.
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R390 Million.
Jasmijn Duvenhage, a little one-year-old girl from Die Wilgers, Pretoria, was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy at only 4 months old, after several tests, including an EEG test that measures electrical activity in the brain.
Jasmijn has a rare genetic condition that causes difficulty to control, severe epilepsy, slow development, and low muscle tone.
After starting therapy for temporal lobe epilepsy, Jasmijn’s condition unfortunately worsened, and she was diagnosed with West syndrome, for which she had received a prolonged course of extremely expensive steroid therapy.
This was not covered by the family’s medical aid in 2021.
“By Jesus’ Mercy and Grace, she came out of West syndrome, a miracle that very few children live to tell about. Unfortunately, Jasmijn developed several forms of horrifying epilepsy ranging from mild episodes to absolutely life-threatening episodes. This happened several times a day.”
Nadia, Jasmijn’s mom, has not been able to trust Jasmijn’s care into the hands of another healthcare provider yet, as Jasmijn has an extremely complex medication and feeding regime, including the ketogenic diet, which can be 100% life-threatening if administered incorrectly.
Nadia thus forms part of Jasmijn’s therapeutic team and had to stop working in order to be available for her daughter’s care. This places additional financial strain on the family.
To date, Jasmijn has feeble muscle tone, she cannot sit up, turn over, or crawl. She also has trouble moving her head, which necessitates 24-hour monitoring as she also has trouble swallowing her secretions, which has led to several choking episodes with aspiration pneumonia and lung collapses, requiring non-invasive ventilation and admission to paediatric ICU.
This is all even despite the family’s best attempts to manage and prevent these episodes with physiotherapy and suctioning at home. With her severe developmental delays, she doesn’t yet smile and does not always react to people around her.
To give Jasmijn the best care, her family has spent their entire savings and exhausted their medical aid to cover the costs of her medication and purchases such as a wheelchair, bathing equipment, anti-epileptic drugs, rehab sessions, hypoallergenic baby formula and now the ketogenic diet, as well as a special needs car seat.
The parents are praying that with the Lord’s continual Mercy and Grace, as well as the right therapy, Jasmijn will still have a chance at a normal life.
Uncontrolled epilepsy remains the problem: every time she has a seizure, it may damage her brain and delay her development further. She is currently on 5 anti-epileptic drugs (amongst others) but her epilepsy is still not under control. The family is doing everything they can to ensure the best possible outcome for Jasmijn.
In need of urgent financial assistance to help Jasmijn with her medical condition, the Duvenhage family have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to appeal to the public for much-needed support.
Since June 2022, Jasmijn has also been in and out of several paediatric ICUs, battling various infections, due to her poor immune system. This brave little girl even had to spend Christmas 2022 and new year 2023 in the paediatric ICU.
The parents and doctors are hoping to get her home soon though. Currently, she is receiving 24-hour continuous feeds and will have to be managed on non-invasive ventilation at home until her muscle tone improves enough for her to breathe well on her own.
To date, approximately R111 000 has been raised from 47 incredible donors, towards their fundraising target of R250 000
“We are doing everything we can do to make sure that Jasmijn gets the correct medical care. All contributions towards our BackaBuddy campaign will be used to ensure that Jasmijn receives the best therapy. “
Please help give Jasmijn a better fighting chance to live a more victorious life with her loved ones.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R380 Million.
BackaBuddy is South Africa’s leading online donations-based platform. They are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and compassionate Verification Officer to join them in their friendly team.
Position Objective:
Position: Verification Officer Reports to: COO Location: Cape Town CBD (flexible remote working) Work hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Salary: Market-related Employment type: 4 months contract with the option to go permanent Start date: ASAP
Primary Responsibilities and Duties:
Provide high-quality email and phone support to customers and other stakeholders to ensure fundraiser authenticity and safe delivery of funds for beneficiaries.
Proactively vet fundraisers and interpret fundraiser content in accordance with the BackaBuddy Terms of Service, in addition to staying up-to-date on the latest trends and assisting with evaluating policy.
Manage banking details collection from the beneficiaries and ensure that the Finance team have the correct information to payout funds owed according to strict timelines.
Manage ad-hoc payment requests/donor refund requests received from beneficiaries.
Respond to and investigate reports a fundraiser queries.
Work with the customer service, marketing and finance teams, and others to ensure fundraisers on BackaBuddy are legitimate and donations are delivered to the correct parties.
Field questions and vet fundraisers for the Communities team, collaboratively work with all teams on a regular basis and in emergencies and become an expert in quickly resolving complicated issues through email, phone, and messaging software (Zoho Desk ticketing programme).
Identify trends, handle escalations, and ensure safe delivery of funds for beneficiaries.
Develop a deep understanding of trust-related issues and a willingness to experiment with bold, novel solutions.
Consistently improve and enhance our internal processes and systems.
Interpret data, analyze results, and create risk models, and bring that perspective to the team.
Provide invaluable feedback to our Dev Team to build Trust & Safety into the BackaBuddy platform.
Requirements:
Exemplify BackaBuddy’s core values (performance, accountability, effectiveness) and embody company and team culture
Are a consistent high-performer in metrics
Are an effective problem solver: spots issues or efficiency gains and brings solutions forward
Exude strong leadership skills
Able to think critically and be a fast learner
Display natural ability to “think big” and take initiative
Understand and help guide the vision of the company and team
See every interaction as a chance to build rapport and strengthen the public perception of BackaBuddy
Are comfortable engaging with industry leaders
Adaptable in a fast-paced work environment
Must have own laptop and stable internet connection
To apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to:[email protected]. Only those whose applications are being considered will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R380 Million.
Lebohang Ntsane, a talented 24-year-old from Lesotho who captured the hearts of many as a child actor in the 2013 film The Forgotten Kingdom, will be moving to Makhanda, Grahamstown, this year to pursue his postgraduate studies in Theatre.
Lebohang has been accepted into the highly sought-after Honours program at Rhodes University in South Africa, a prestigious institution known for its excellent theatre and performance faculties.
Picture above: A still from the 2013 Lesotho-based feature film The Forgotten Kingdom.
He is deeply passionate about acting and hopes to use his craft to put his home country of Lesotho on the map.
Tragically, Lebohang lost both of his parents at a young age and has had to work his way up from a humble background through his acting career.
In 2014, he won the Best Child Actor award at the African Movie Academy Awards for his role in The Forgotten Kingdom.
Picture above: Lebohang in a scene from The Forgotten Kingdom. He won the award for Best Child Actor at the 2014 African Movie Academy Awards in recognition of his role in the film.
Since then, he has continued to build his acting experience through short films and commercials and has completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and English at the National University of Lesotho.
As a result of his hard work, Lebohang has been given the chance to further his education and pursue his dreams through acceptance into Rhodes University.
Picture above: Lebohang is now 24 years old and looking to further his postgraduate studies and professional acting career.
To help realise his dream, Lebohang has launched a campaign on crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy appealing to the public to provide him with the financial means to cover tuition and living expenses for this incredible opportunity.
Since the launch of his campaign, Lebohang has raised over R42 000 from donors worldwide contributing to his goal of R150 000.
“This fundraising campaign has assisted me immensely. It has done for me in a few weeks what I would not have done in a year. I am so grateful to everyone who has lent a helping hand. This really means a lot to me.”- says Lebohang
Picture above: In his thank you message to his fundraising campaign supporters, Lebohang writes: “This donation is a blessing and your love and generosity are greatly valued. I promise to do my best in studying hard to make you proud.”
Lebohang is a hardworking and talented young man who deserves the chance to succeed and create a bright future for himself.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R380 Million.
