Kim Conley [50] from Hout Bay, Cape Town, leads Amoyo Performing Arts Foundation’s after-school studio for children from Imizamo Yethu. On 11 July 2025, Amoyo launched a BackaBuddy campaign to raise R670,000 to keep 130 children in daily dance, drama and singing classes paired with life-skills coaching. Sparked by Mandela Day 2025, the idea is to turn one day of goodwill into steady monthly support that carries children through the rest of the year. In the first 10 days the drive drew 8 donors and R6000 online donations, alongside R83,300 in offline gifts—R89,400 toward the goal.
Why Kim started Amoyo—and why it matters now
In 2015, Kim and co-founders Mandisa Qwesha and Nandipha Sandlana opened Amoyo to offer a reliable, caring place after school for young people in Hout Bay. The heartbeat of the programme is routine and care: three to five afternoons a week, learners train in African, Contemporary and Fusion dance techniques, strengthen their voices in singing and Musical Theatre, release creative expression and develop confidence in Speech & Drama, and practise arriving on time, prepared and respectful. Each session links to a life-skills theme such as gratitude, decision-making, resilience or goal-setting.
As the team often says, “Amoyo means ‘spirit of appreciation’,” a value woven into every class.
Amoyo is formally registered—PBO 930054407 and NPO 169-708—which helps supporters and corporate partners back a well-governed programme rooted in Hout Bay.
What the campaign unlocks
The target is R670,000 for the rest of the year—about R55,833 per month, which works out to roughly R430 per child per month. That amount turns into very concrete things: qualified teachers’ hours, 120+ classes per child each year, a nutritious meal to fuel learning, safe transport to and from the studio, holiday workshops that keep children engaged when school is closed, and proper attire so every child feels part of the team. Public milestones, including Artscape’s Schools Arts Festival and Amoyo’s annual showcase, give learners a professional stage and a reason to keep striving. Monthly giving protects routine, and routine builds confidence.
From first alumni to new paths
Renecia Dama – Qualified Dance Teacher & Amoyo Foundation Alumnus Renecia Dama, a qualified dance teacher, began her performing arts journey at Amoyo in 2017. From day one she embraced every opportunity, developing technique as well as discipline, confidence, and resilience—qualities that helped her pass matric. Amoyo’s holistic training and mentorship gave her the foundation to pursue dance professionally. Since graduating, Renecia has consistently #givenback and is now proudly employed by Amoyo as a teacher. She uses her story and skills to inspire the next generation, sharing both technical knowledge and the values shaped during her formative years. From a young girl with a dream to a professional changing lives in her community, Renecia embodies Amoyo’s ethos of gratitude, passion, and giving back—the ripple effect of opportunity and mentorship in action.
Thobeka Shumi – Amoyo Foundation Alumnus & Aspiring Pilot Thobeka Shumi’s journey shows how arts education builds skills far beyond the stage. With Amoyo since day one, she moved from loving dance but fearing Speech & Drama and Singing to becoming one of our first Triple Threat students—a true “YES I CAN” person. After losing her home in a fire and briefly relocating, her family returned, believing Thobeka’s Amoyo childhood too valuable to leave. She thrived, resisted negative peer pressure, brought friends into Amoyo, and grew as a leader, supported by parents with strong work ethics and values. The first in her family to attend tertiary education, she’s now in her second year of International Business at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, crediting Amoyo for confidence, curiosity, time management, and grit—traits that set her apart. Her path from the arts to business shows how skills gained at Amoyo translate into any ambitious dream.
Thobeka represents the spirit of possibility that Amoyo strives to cultivate in every student. She embodies courage, ambition, and the drive to reach new heights of success. Her story inspires others to dream boldly and proves that with the right foundation you open yourself up to untold possibilities.
These journeys began with an open studio door at 3 p.m. and a promise that showing up matters. The current campaign keeps that promise for 130 children—not only by paying for teachers and transport but by making sure every child feels seen, prepared and part of a family. Budgets have to cover people and time—the two ingredients that make safety and growth possible. Without steady support, the programme can’t plan classes, retain coaches or guarantee transport. Every contribution helps close the gap between where we are today and the R670,000 goal. Monthly recurring donations are the most helpful because they anchor the plan: • R430 per month supports one child • R860 per month supports two children • R2,150 per month supports five children
From the first warm-up to the end-of-year showcase, children carry lessons beyond the studio: they speak up, arrive on time, and start to believe they belong in rooms they once thought were closed to them. That is what this campaign protects—130 daily chances to practise being ready for the next step.
At BackaBuddy, we want your fundraising experience to be as smooth as possible—including getting your funds out when you need them! Whether you’re running a self-managed campaign or a Blue Tick campaign, here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you request a payout, plus tips for a hassle-free process.
Before You Request a Payout
For Self-Managed Campaigns
Before you can request a payout, your campaign must be verified by the BackaBuddy team. This means:
Upload all required documents for verification.
Wait for your campaign to be checked by the BackaBuddy team.
Once verified, a BackaBuddy Verified Badge will appear on your campaign page, and the “Payout Request” button will turn purple and become available.
Tip: If you see the “Payout Request” button greyed out, double-check your documents and make sure your campaign has been fully verified!
Blue Tick campaigns (where donations are paid directly to an organisation or service provider) do not require campaign verification before requesting a payout.
How to Request a Payout
Steps 1–9 (For Both Self-Managed & Blue Tick Campaigns)
Hover over your profile name (top right-hand corner).
Select “My Campaigns” from the dropdown.
Scroll down to find your campaign’s banner and title, below the donation summary circle.
On the right, click the purple circle with a purple dropdown arrow.
Click on “Manage Campaign”.
6. On the left, select the purple “Payout Request” button.
7.
PC View: Tick the small circle next to your campaign’s name in the summary.
Mobile View: Click on “Funds Breakdown” dropdown arrow and then tick the small circle next to your campaign’s name in the summary.
8. Enter the amount you wish to withdraw in the “Payout Amount” box.
9. Click “Request Payout”.
The Payout Journey Splits Here
A. Blue-Tick Campaigns
10. You’ll be prompted to upload supporting documents. Choose one of the following:
Invoice: If you have an invoice from the organisation you need to pay.
Or a Reimbursement Claim: If you’ve already paid and are claiming back, upload your proof of payment. You’ll also need to upload your proof of banking details.
Organisation’s proof of Banking Details: If the payment is to an organisation’s bank account (the usual option). You can upload the same invoice if the banking details are clearly displayed.
Tip: If PDF uploads fail (usually due to file size), take a screenshot and upload the image instead!
11.Upload your document(s) by clicking the “+” in the square boxes. (One document per block.)
12.Enter the organisation’s bank account details—make sure these match your uploaded proof or the details on the invoice.
13.Leave a tip for BackaBuddy (optional).
14. Click “Save and Submit” at the bottom.
15. If completed successfully, a small pop-up will confirm your payout request has been sent for processing. Click “Finish” to complete.
B. Self-Managed Campaigns
Funds are paid into the campaign creator’s bank account or beneficiary of choosing (as uploaded and verified during campaign setup).
10. After clicking “Request payout”, complete the payout form: add a clear title and description, and double-check the banking details.
11. (Optional) Add a tip.
12. Click “Save & Submit.”
13. A confirmation pop-up will confirm your payout request was sent for processing. Click “Finish” to complete.
Tracking Your Payout Request
Once you’ve submitted your payout request, you can track its progress right in your dashboard:
Navigate to “Withdrawals” from your menu.
For both Blue Tick and Self-Managed campaigns, you will see the status of your payout request.
If your payout has been successfully processed and is waiting to be paid, the status will show as “Pending”.
Once the payout has been made, the status will update to “Paid”.
Checking the “Withdrawals” section is the quickest way to confirm your payout’s status without needing to contact support.
Important Notes
Processing Time: Payouts usually take 3 to 10 business days to process.
Proof of Payment: If you need a proof of payment, please contact the BackaBuddy team.
International Payouts: For international bank accounts, contact the team to complete the “International Payout” form. (International payouts may take a bit longer.)
For Blue Tick Campaigns: Funds must be paid directly to the organisation’s bank account (except in the case of reimbursements, which require valid proof).
Troubleshooting
If the “Payout Amount” box doesn’t work:
Refresh your browser.
Double-check there are no spaces before or after the amount.
Ensure Num Lock is off.
Try a different device.
If PDFs don’t upload:
Try taking a screenshot and uploading as an image.
Cape Town’s biggest 24-hour community cycle is back on 6–7 September 2025. Friends, families, corporates and schools will rotate through 24 hours on 60 bikes at Bishops’ Piley Rees field to raise R1,000,000 for youth development in Langa. Riders will take turns through the night to ride for purpose, ride for impact, and ride for change—because when a community moves, children’s futures move with it.
Cape Town’s 24-Hour BIGGEST Cycle Challenge Is Back
From its base at 22 Bitterhout Street, Langa, the VUSA Rugby & Learning Academy works with children aged 4 to 13, blending early learning, academic support, rugby and psychosocial care. One hundred percent of what the Challenge raises goes straight into these programmes. This year’s goals are practical and powerful: expand literacy so more children read for meaning by Grade 4; complete a new VUSA hub in Langa—with an income-generating deli, a reading garden, a fully equipped kitchen and safe learning spaces; and strengthen academic support by hiring more facilitators and purchasing better educational resources.
Born in 2021 through a collaboration led by Bishops Diocesan College with strong community backers (including Investec), the 24-hour format has grown every year thanks to thousands of champions who climb onto the bikes and keep the wheels turning. BackaBuddy returns as the official fundraising partner, hosting dozens of campaign pages so supporters can back a rider they know or donate directly to the Academy. The format is pure community: teams ride in shifts through the night, cheered on by music, live entertainment and food trucks. And the invitation is open—anyone can sign up a team, bring the gees and join a shift. If life won’t let you cycle, you can still be part of the story by donating. Every rand helps break the cycle of poverty and builds a future of opportunity.
The momentum tells its own story.
2021: R217,392 raised.
2022: R535,168 raised.
2023: 43 BackaBuddy campaigns rallied 1,141 donors to raise R909,883.10.
2024: 77 BackaBuddy campaigns rallied 1,337 donors to raise R1,080,403.94.
Total (2021–2024): R2,742,847.04 invested in children’s futures.
That funding translates into real-world wins. As the Academy put it: “Last year, your support helped us repair our Digibus (a mobile classroom), build a new library and computer lab, and set up a practice space for our social worker.”
That’s a classroom on wheels, books in little hands and a quiet room where care happens.
This year, the relay continues with 52 team campaigns already live. Early support is showing: 257 donors have contributed R 218 605 toward the R1,000,000 target. Those gifts turn into literacy coaches, shelves of well-loved books, nutritious meals from the new kitchen and steady mentors beside homework tables. They also help finish the Langa hub so that safe, bright spaces are ready for learning when the bell rings.
Ride for Purpose: How to Join
The VUSA 24-Hour Cycle Challenge starts at 09:00 on Saturday, 6 September and wraps at 09:00 on Sunday, 7 September at Piley Rees, Bishops. The track will be a festival of nicknames and noise—proof that doing good can be joyful. Expect waves of teams from corporates, high schools and colleges, and prep/junior schools, alongside community clubs, alumni groups, families and friends. Some will be chasing lap counts, others bringing pure gees—but every crew will ride for purpose, ride for impact, and ride for change. New team pages are going live on BackaBuddy each week, so the roster will keep growing—yours can, too.
“This isn’t just a ride, guys—it’s a flip’n revolution.”
It’s what you’ll hear trackside when the music lifts and another shift tags in. Because this event is more than laps; it’s a relay of care. Anyone can take part—sign up a bike with friends, bring colleagues for a corporate shift, or gather your school team and ride in memory, in celebration, in solidarity. And if you can’t be there, send your support in the form of a donation—every bit helps, and every rider feels it.
When we say the city’s biggest cycle challenge is back, we mean bigger, bolder and filled with even more heart—thanks to partners who keep the wheels turning: Bishops Diocesan College, Investec, and the official fundraising partner, BackaBuddy, alongside the many community sponsors who add prizes, music and colour. Together we ride for purpose, impact and change—so that children in Langa can read with confidence, learn with dignity and dream without limits.
Zanele Princess Mrasi (45) from Cape Town (Western Cape) is the warm-hearted nursery teacher inspiring a city to lace up during Women’s Month. Diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer on 11 June 2025 at Mitchells Plain Hospital, she is meeting the moment with grace and grit while her school community launches “Miles for Ms Mrasi” — a 21 km Gun Run and a 5 km walk — to raise funds for transport, nutritious meals, and care for her teenage son during treatment at Groote Schuur Hospital. The campaign, started on 28 July 2025 by one of the moms, has already raised R78,000 from 69 donors toward a R100,000 goal — a Women’s Month reminder that when women move together, they move mountains.
A Teacher Who Builds a Second Home
Ask any little girl in her class and she’ll tell you: “Miss Mrasi’s classroom feels like home.” That’s by design.
“For me, teaching is about creating a safe space where students feel valued, capable, and supported,” Zanele says. “I’ve always believed in the transformative power of education — I wanted to be that source of encouragement for someone else.”
Her path to that classroom wasn’t easy. Born in Mnyamanzane village near Butterworth, she moved to Cape Town at nine, studied Early Childhood Development, and worked her way from assistant to teacher while raising her son, Sethu, now 19. When Sethu needed specialised support for learning differences, she paused her own degree to stand beside him. Years later, she completed her studies and, in 2022, became a nursery teacher at one of Cape Town’s most prestigious schools.
“It’s true that when you really want something, it’s never too late,” she says. “It takes a village — and I’m grateful for mine.”
Strength is a through-line in Zanele’s life. A devoted Christian and church leader, she mentors young women through the Young Women’s Manyano and helps run Sunday School. She is also a single mother, proudly supporting Sethu as he writes his matric exams and steps into manhood.
In her classroom, Zanele greets children in isiXhosa, sprinkles in songs in English and Afrikaans, and is often found on the carpet with one child curled into her lap and others gathered around. Parents use one word over and over:
“happy.” As one mom shared, “She speaks with calm kindness, makes even the smallest task feel meaningful, and is never too busy for a cuddle.”
When the Community Laces Up for Women’s Month
The diagnosis arrived on a busy school day.
“I was devastated,” Zanele recalls. “I kept asking, ‘Why me?’ But I knew I had to be strong for my son and my girls at school.”
“My sisters and family have been my rock,” she says. “My colleagues and the parents at school remind me I’m not alone.”
Her colleagues and the moms of her class didn’t hesitate to answer that strength with their own.
“Somewhere between the chatting and the running, it just clicked — we should run in her name to rally support,” says one of the moms behind the campaign. “Within minutes, moms were entering the Gun Run, pencilling in training days, and planning coffee dates. One message turned into a movement.”
What began with two runners swelled into a small army of moms jogging the 21 km and others walking 5 km, with the children dreaming up a solidarity walk of their own. With Zanele’s blessing, the crowdfunding page went live — and donations poured in, many carrying messages as generous as the amounts.
“The response has been overwhelming,” she adds. “In the first 72 hours, we nearly hit our initial target. It reminded us that a school is a second family.”
This surge of solidarity lands in August, South Africa’s Women’s Month — held in honour of the 1956 march to the Union Buildings. “Wathint’ Abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo” — You strike a woman, you strike a rock — now echoes in trainers and race bibs, in packed lunchboxes for hospital days, and in the steady love of a community carrying one of its own. On National Women’s Day, 9 August, families across the school shared notes of encouragement with Zanele, a living lesson for the girls about courage, compassion and collective action.
Faith, Family and an Unshakable Why
The campaign is intentionally practical: funds are being used for transport to and from hospital, nutritious food to support recovery, and care for Sethu while his mom undergoes treatment — everyday costs that cancer magnifies.
“Because of your support I can focus on treatment without the constant worry,” Zanele says. “Your kindness inspires me every day, and I look forward to giving back.”
This run of love is becoming a bridge back to the classroom that so dearly misses her. The total isn’t just a number; it represents steady steps through treatment toward the moment when children once again run into her arms. It steadies a family so a son can finish matric with his mother cheering from the sidelines. And it reminds an entire country — especially during Women’s Month — that ordinary steps taken together can rewrite a difficult chapter.
Before the final kilometre, there’s a simple invitation: join them. Share this story with someone who needs a little hope today. Donate if you can. Help carry Zanele Princess Mrasi through this chapter with dignity, love, and strength — step by step, back to the happy, singing classroom she built for so many.
In Their Own Words — A few Messages from the Girls
— Asma: “I miss Ms Mrasi. I love her because she taught us isiXhosa songs. The songs and dancing were so funny — they’re my favourite memory.”
— Ivy: “My favourite thing was when she gave us bee stickers on our birthdays. She plays with us so we feel safe. I also like how she teaches us isiXhosa.”
— Ava: “My favourite thing about Ms Mrasi is her lovely snuggles. On Wednesday in the old Busy Bee class she told us a story in a funny voice. She’s the best. Ms Mrasi, when are you coming back to school? I miss you and I love you.”
(These are just three of the messages — watch the video to hear more of what makes Ms Mrasi so special.)
To support Zanele Princess Mrasi visit their BackaBuddy campaign link here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/miles-for-ms-mrasi
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In July and August 2025, Nikita Van Rensburg (32) and her brother, Ricki Van Rensburg (38) rallied support for the Gatjie settlement (Cape Town) with a winter shoe drive and a follow-on crowdfunding initiative that is already changing daily life. The first drive launched on 17 July 2025, raising R21,500 and—together with sponsors—turning a hired hall into a day of dignity with hot meals and brand-new sneakers for children who’d been walking barefoot through winter mud. On 18 August 2025, she launched a second recurring donations campaign that has raised R22,500 so far toward a R200,000 goal to keep food on the table and repair leaking shacks. In total, 18 donors have given across both campaigns, including two anonymous R10,000 donations in the first three days, and many more partners have contributed goods, time, and heart. A surprise video call from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi on the day of the shoe drive also became a powerful spark for courage and belonging for the community of Gatjie.
A legacy of love, carried forward
“In 2018, my mom started handing out hot meals on a field in Diep River,” Nikita says. “She built deep relationships with the Gatjie community—hosting Christmas parties and fundraising for school supplies. She loved them, and they loved her back.”
When their mom passed away from a brain tumor, Nikita and Ricki promised to carry that legacy forward. The promise quickly turned into action: before a recent storm, they replaced roofs on a handful of shacks using their own funds.
“One elderly husband stepped inside to see the dry floor and collapsed, sobbing with relief. I’ll never forget that,” she recalls.
That moment—simple, human, unforgettable—captures the heartbeat of the campaign: practical love that keeps families warm, dry, and fed. It’s also why gestures like Siya Kolisi’s call matter so much—seeing a national captain show up for Gatjie tells every child their story is worth showing up for, too.
The August shoe drive answered an urgent need. Through a contact at Adidas, more than 80 pairs of brand-new sneakers arrived. New Balance added R10,000 and three pairs of socks per person—hundreds of pairs—so feet would stay warm and dry on muddy footpaths. With the funds raised online and meals donated locally, the team fitted little feet, served steaming plates, and reminded families that they are seen. All content and photographs from the shoe-drive event were captured and donated pro bono by Cape Town creative Ramon Mellett (Instagram: @ramonmellett).
“Some kids cried with happiness,” Nikita says. “One boy keeps his shoes in the box after school, so they stay nice.”
From shoes to shelter and supper
Shoes were the start, not the finish line. Cape Town’s winter rains turn thin, rusted roofs into sieves; mattresses, blankets, and clothing stay wet for days.
“We’ve made a priority list of homes needing repairs,” Nikita explains. “It costs about R2,500 to replace a roof, and some homes just need patchwork.”
Food is another urgent need. When storms close soup kitchens, children go to bed hungry.
“I’ll never forget a 3-year-old dipping her lollipop in water and saying it made her feel more full—because that day, they could only afford the lollipop.”
The plan now is year-round: provide meals, fix roofs, and host regular kids’ days filled with play, learning, and love—safe spaces where children can simply be children. The funds raised will go directly to food, clothing and blankets, and the materials and labour needed to repair shacks so families can sleep without fear that the roof will collapse.
Women’s Month, dignity and dreams
This Women’s Month, the work took on special meaning. On the day of the shoe handout, the children received a surprise video call from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. He spoke courage into a young boy who’d been bullied; that night the child told his mom he was going to dream about meeting his hero. Even one of the bully’s moms came forward to apologise afterwards.
“The kids kept asking why Siya would speak to them,” Nikita says. “They need to know they matter—that where they come from isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
Girls also left with more than footwear. The Cora Project joined to run a pad drive and a powerful conversation about periods, confidence, and choice. They offered discreet bags for carrying pads—yet several girls chose to walk out holding their pads in hand, proudly. For Nikita, moments like these echo her mother’s heart: show up, feed people, and restore dignity.
Why this campaign matters now Gatjie is a small settlement with big hearts—and daily hurdles. Without sturdy shoes, children slog through sand and mud just to reach communal toilets; without intact roofs, families take turns sleeping for fear of collapse. Hunger makes it hard to learn; lacking basics erodes confidence. And yet the resilience is unmistakable.
“You can show up with nothing but yourself,” Nikita says, “and the kids will run to you for hugs.” Her long-term hope is clear: “I want to see at least one child from Gatjie grow up, leave the settlement, and be able to support their family. We can get there with nutrition, school supplies, sport, and connection.”
How you can help Every contribution stretches far: R2,500 can put a dry roof over a family; any amount helps fund weekly meals, clothing and blanket drops, and the next kids’ day. Corporate partners can donate shoes, socks, roofing materials, or food. Volunteers can cook, deliver, mentor—or simply show up. To connect about goods or time, reach Nikita on Instagram at @triggrGood. If you want to give right now, both campaign pages are live: the winter shoe drive here:https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/winter-shoe-drive-for-the-gatjie-kids and the ongoing support drive here:https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/helping-the-gatjie-community-together.
In just weeks, these efforts have raised R31,500 in cash—plus generous in-kind donations—and built a blueprint for hope that is practical, personal, and profoundly local. It looks like a dry mattress, a warm bowl of food, a pair of laces tied tight—and a child who believes tomorrow can be better than today.
If you’ve ever wondered what Ubuntu means—this is it. And this initiative is calling on the African spirit, and you, to climb on board and get involved.
