Eastern Cape, South Africa – In the quiet rural stretch between Patensie and Humansdorp, where citrus orchards roll into game reserves, lives a young conservationist whose life has been shaped by the heartbeat of the wild.
Justin Terblanche (27), affectionately known as the “Rhino Whisperer,” has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to raise R176,000 for a thermal drone that could be a crucial tool in the fight against rhino poaching.
His campaign, titled “Eyes in the Sky for Our Last Rhinos,” has already raised over R47,000 through the support of 37 donors — but there’s still a long way to go, and the urgency couldn’t be greater.
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash, with Tiffany and Brittany. (Image credit: Joubert Grigor)
From boyhood wonder to boots-on-the-ground protector
Justin’s love for animals started long before he ever saw a rhino. Growing up in Patensie, he was the child who stopped to help injured birds or nursed stray animals back to health. That instinct only deepened with age.
“My early fascination with the natural world led me to a career in anti-poaching, where meeting my first rhino solidified my dedication to their survival. Now, as the co-founder of Rhino Whisperers NPC, I fight to ensure these majestic creatures can thrive in safety.
Our mission is to save the lives of these critically endangered creatures before they vanish forever. This isn’t just about saving a species — it’s about preserving a legacy. Rhinos play a vital role in their ecosystem, and their extinction would leave a gaping hole in the wild, one that can never be filled. If we don’t act now, future generations will never know the majesty of rhinos roaming free,” says Justin.
A bond built in silence, accepted into the crash
When Justin joined the anti-poaching unit at Lombardini Game Farm in the Kouga region, it was home to 19 rhinos. Years of relentless poaching and illness have reduced that number to just four: Amanda, the cautious matriarch; Brittany and Tiffany, inseparable best friends; and a young newcomer, Herbie.
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash. (Image Credit: Justin Terblanche)
“I saw what these gentle giants go through just for existing,” Justin shares. “Poachers don’t care about the suffering. They take what they want and leave death behind. That was it for me. I knew I had to give everything I had to keep them alive.”
But rhinos are wild and traumatised. They don’t trust easily — especially after witnessing the loss of their companions. Protecting them meant more than just patrolling the fences. Justin needed to be close enough to intervene — but for that to happen, they had to accept him.
So he stayed. He left his family and former life behind, moving into the bush to protect them.
“I started spending time out in the bush, far beyond my normal shifts — sometimes for days, sometimes weeks. I didn’t talk. I didn’t move too fast. I just stayed present,” he says.
It took a year and six months of patience, silence, and consistency before the turning point came. The rhinos began recognising him — not just visually, but by his scent, his voice, his energy. They stopped running. They started watching him with curiosity instead of fear.
“That’s when I knew,” he says. “I had been accepted into their crash. They had accepted me as one of their own.”
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash. (Image Credit: Pierre Gerber)
From that moment, Justin became their protector from within. He can now walk beside them, monitor their movements, and respond immediately to any sign of danger. He’s learned their rhythms, moods, and quirks — their behaviours and personalities — like Amanda’s quiet watchfulness, Brittany’s playful nature, Tiffany’s loyalty, and Herbie’s youthful curiosity.
A species on the brink
Rhinos are being slaughtered at an alarming rate, with poachers driving these gentle giants towards extinction. In recent decades, their population has plummeted by more than 90%, and every loss brings the species closer to disappearing forever.
“At Rhino Whisperers, we are the last line of defence,” says Justin. “We risk everything to protect them, because if we don’t — no one will.”
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche and Amanda (Image Credit: Adri Krige)
Why a drone is critical for their survival
Despite these deep bonds, the threat of poaching — especially at night — remains constant. The farm receives no government support and relies entirely on donations. To close the surveillance gap and protect the rhinos during their most vulnerable hours, Justin is raising funds for a thermal drone.
“This drone will let us see what we can’t hear. It gives us eyes in the dark — and eyes in the sky,” he explains.
Supporters are invited to make once-off or monthly contributions via BackaBuddy and will receive updates on the rhinos’ well-being and campaign progress.
“Even just sharing our story helps. The more people who know Amanda, Brittany, Tiffany, and Herbie, the harder it becomes for the world to let them disappear.”
The campaign is hosted by Rhino Whisperers NPC, a registered non-profit. With BackaBuddy’s 0% platform fee for charities, more of each donation goes directly to the cause.
Launching a crowdfunding campaign is just the first step towards raising funds for your cause. To achieve your fundraising target, it’s essential to engage with your network effectively and at the right time to maximize your campaign’s reach and appeal to potential donors.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of 7 Effective Ways that you can promote your crowdfunding campaign successfully and receive support from your network and the wider donor community.
With over R610 million raised for various causes nationwide, we have the experience and expertise to support you. Whether you need funds for medical needs, tuition fees, or any other cause, this is the right place.
Optimize Your Campaign
To achieve your crowdfunding goals, it’s essential to optimize your campaign content before promoting it to a wide audience. Craft a clear, emotive story explaining the beneficiary’s situation and the impact donations will have on them.
Include high-quality images and a one-minute videoto enhance your campaign’s credibility and engagement. Studies show that videos can increase donations 4X and social media shares 7X. It is also important to ensure that your fundraising target is transparent, realistic, and aligned with the beneficiary’s needs.
To kickstart your crowdfunding campaign and receive your first donations, it’s crucial to reach out to your personal network of friends and family first via direct messages.
They are more likely to support your cause and be willing to donate, as they already trust you and have a relationship with you.
Having initial donors can create social proof and make your campaign more attractive to potential donors who may be hesitant to be the first to contribute. This can help you attract more donations and create momentum for your campaign.
You can send your campaign to your family and friends through instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or email, with a short, personalized message introducing your campaign and what you are fundraising for.
Research shows that 98% of instant messages are opened and read within the first 3 seconds, making it a fast and effective way to promote your campaign at the start.
An idea of a message you could send:
98% of Instant messages are typically read within 3 seconds, making it the perfect way to reach out to your immediate circle.
Reach Out To Your Wider Network
To maximize your chances of receiving more donations towards your crowdfunding campaign, it’s crucial to expand your reach beyond your immediate circle.
After securing a few initial donations, you should reach out to your wider network, which includes extended family, neighbours, co-workers, social groups, acquaintances, members of your community, and the wider public.
Additionally, consider collaborating with influencers, non-profit organizations, or businesses that share your cause to expand your reach even further.
As your campaign gains momentum and becomes more trustworthy, a broader audience is more likely to show their support.
Personalize your message to each group, highlighting the impact their donation will create, and ask them to share your campaign with people they know.
Reach Out On Social Media
To maximize the reach and success of your crowdfunding campaign, social media can be a powerful tool.
Research shows that sharing your campaign on social media, once you have secured at least 5-10 donationsfrom your immediate circleand your wider network, can increase your campaign’s chances of success 5X.
This is because potential donors, especially those who don’t know you personally, are often hesitant to be the first to donate, but are more likely to contribute when a campaign begins gaining traction.
To effectively promote your campaign on social media, it’s important to personalize your message and highlight the impact that donations will create. Accompany your posts or stories with a high-resolution image or short video to enhance your message and capture the attention of your followers.
Don’t just share your crowdfunding campaign link on its own; make sure to introduce your campaign and encourage your followers to donate and share your campaign on their social media channels.
To increase the reach of your crowdfunding campaign even further, consider reaching out to local media outlets once you have received 10-20 donations and your campaign has gained momentum.
Local online blogs, newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations have the ability to reach thousands or even millions of potential donors who may be interested in covering your story.
To reach out, write a press release in the third person that includes relevant quotes from you or your beneficiary, along with images or a video. Consider publishing your press release on free distribution sites like MyPR and MyPressportal.
To find media contacts visit download The South African Government Media Directory, visit the “contact us” section of a publication in your area, or reach out to journalists on social media.
If your campaign has media potential, you reach an unlimited audience of supporters.
Share Updates & Milestones
Donors want to feel connected to the cause they’re supporting, so it’s crucial to keep them engaged and informed.
Regularly sharing updates on your crowdfunding campaign’s progress, including the milestones you’ve achieved and challenges you’ve overcome, can encourage donors to continue supporting your campaign.
By doing so, donors will trustyour campaign more and see the impact they have helped create. It’s also essential to thank your donors individually and publicly and consider sharing testimonials or stories from the people who have benefited from your campaign.
These updates not only build trust but also foster a sense of community and motivate continued support
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is essential to expand your reach to attract a wider audience of potential supporters for your crowdfunding campaign, it is equally important to engage with your immediate network first.
By reaching out to your immediate circle through personal, direct messages, you can build trust, and credibility, and gain the initial momentum needed to attract donors in your wider network and the wider donor community.
Reaching the right people, at the right time, with the right message, will increase your crowdfunding campaign’s likelihood of success.
Creating a fundraising campaign that successfully raises funds for someone in need starts with crafting a compelling crowdfunding story. Your story is the foundation upon which you can build an emotional connection with potential supporters and inspire them to donate to your cause.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of 10 essential elements to consider when writing a powerful online appeal.
Get inspiration from skilled storytellers
Before penning your story, take some time to explore successful fundraisers and their stories. Look for examples of courageous storytelling that moved you to tears, touched your heart, or left you feeling inspired. Reflect on the specific aspects of these stories that resonate with you and consider how you can incorporate similar elements into your own narrative.
The title of your fundraiser is the first introduction to your campaign. It holds immense power as it draws attention to your plight and can encourage potential donors to visit your campaign page. Will you choose a lighthearted approach to grab attention or an emotive one to tug at heartstrings? Whatever you choose, make sure to include the name of your beneficiary and highlight their specific need for fundraising.
Introduce your beneficiary
Begin your crowdfunding story by introducing the person or people you are fundraising for. Who are they? What is their name, age, and where do they come from? It’s important to provide some meaningful backgroundinformation about the focal point of your campaign and why they are in need of help. Are they battling a medical condition, facing financial hardship, or have they been presented with an exciting opportunity?
As the storyteller, what is your personal relationship to the beneficiary or the cause? Sharing your personal connection can help build trust and credibility with potential supporters, and allow them to better empathize with your cause.
Eldorét Visser started her BackaBuddy campaign with the hope of reclaiming her health after a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis. As a first-time mom and newlywed, she faces major surgery and a long recovery with limited medical aid support. Through this campaign, Eldorét hopes to ease the financial strain, heal fully, and continue being the strong, loving mother and woman she is meant to be.
What lead you to crowdfunding?
Capture the defining moment that motivated you to start your crowdfunding campaign. What specific event or circumstance sparked your decision to seek support from others? Whether it was a personal experience, financial hardship, or sudden crisis, express it in a clear and captivating sentence or two. This will give your story context and provide potential donors with a deeper understanding of the situation, and how the needs, which your crowdfunding campaign hopes to address, came to be.
Your funding needs
It’s crucial to clearly define the need or challenge that you’re raising funds for. Provide specific details about how the issue is affecting the person in need, so potential supporters can understand the gravity and urgency of the situation. To help donors relate to your cause communicate the needs in a tangible way, providing a breakdown of costs where possible.
The Impact of your campaign
It’s important to clearly communicate the positive impact donations will have if the campaign is successful. This could include specific goals you hope to achieve or the positive changes that will occur in the beneficiary’s life. Donors contribute to causes because they are hopeful and empathetic individuals that want to be a part of the solution and know in their hearts that have made a meaningful difference.
Every donation to Nonny’s campaign brings immediate relief to children and families in Promiseland who would otherwise go hungry, especially over weekends when school feeding programs aren’t available. Your support helps Ikhaya Lethu serve hot, nutritious meals to up to 100 people at a time, offering not just food, but dignity, comfort, and hope.
Call to action
Encourage potential supporters to donate to your cause and share your campaign with their networks to help reach a wider audience. Reiterate your gratitude and remind donors of the impact they will help to create for your beneficiary. Additionally include links to your social media channels where donors can receive regular updates on the progress of the campaign.
Editing
It’s important to take the time to edit and refine your message before sharing it with potential supporters. Keep your message short and concise, no longer than 200-500 words, and use paragraphs and comfortable spacing to separate your ideas. To highlight important information, consider bolding, underlining, or italicizing key phrases or words.
It’s also important to maintain a friendly and conversational tone throughout your campaign message. Don’t be afraid to inject some personality into your story, as it will put donors at ease and encourage them to support you on your fundraising journey.
Before sharing your campaign, be sure to do a quick spelling and grammar check. Consider asking someone you trust to proofread your story for you, as they may be able to catch errors or provide valuable feedback.
Visual Storytelling
Incorporating visual elements such as images, infographics and videos into your crowdfunding story can make your appeal more compelling to donors, as it brings the cause to life and adds a sense of reliability to your cause.
Studies indicate that fundraisers with a video tend to raise 4X more funds than those without, as it can build an emotional connection with potential supporters, increase credibility, and make it easier to convey complex information. When selecting visuals for your campaign, ensure that they are high-quality and relevant to the story you are sharing.
Sean Clarke, a Para-athlete from Johannesburg, provides a great example of an effective crowdfunding video. In his campaign to raise funds for James, a teenager in need of a prosthetic leg, Sean created a short yet impactful video introducing James and his life-long struggles.
Updates & Milestones
To keep your supporters engaged and invested in your crowdfunding campaign, it’s essential to provide regular updates. Let your donors know when you reach important milestones and express your appreciation for their continued support. Share the impact that contributions have made, so that donors may see the measurable difference they have created. Regular updates not only build trust but also motivate continued support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, crafting a crowdfunding story is more than a mere appeal for donation it’s about creating a heart-to-heart connection with potential donors.
Showcase the real people behind their struggles and their dreams. Demonstrate the impact funds will have on your beneficiary and be transparent about how funds will be used.
By bravely sharing your story with authenticity and vulnerability, you can inspire others to join your cause and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
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Over the past 8 years, more than R610 million has been raised on BackaBuddy for over 113,000 individual and organisational campaigns, thanks to the incredible generosity of more than 690,000 donors.
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George, Western Cape, South Africa – Lynnette (Lynn) Blignaut called for global support from Thailand, where her daughter, Ashley Oosthuizen (26), had been wrongfully imprisoned for five years. Lynnette launched a crowdfunding campaign through BackaBuddy to manage living and legal expenses as they continued to fight for Ashley’s release.
Background
After graduating from Outeniqua High School in George, Western Cape, Ashley moved to Thailand in 2018. She initially worked as a teacher on the island of Koh Samui, but after being laid off, she secured a managerial position at the restaurant Hot in the Biscuit, which offered her a fresh start and hope for a stable, fulfilling life in Thailand.
However, her dreams were abruptly shattered on 8 October 2020, when Ashley unknowingly accepted and signed for a package containing 250g of MDMA, intended for someone else. Despite her innocence, she was implicated and arrested, leading to a wrongful conviction.
Pictured above: Ashley Oosthuizen
Heartbreakingly, at just 22 years old, Ashley was sentenced to death. After a lengthy legal battle, her sentence was reduced to life imprisonment and later reduced again to 33.4 years. However, justice had not yet been served. Her next appeal in Thailand’s High Court remained pending, with no court date yet confirmed. If clemency was not granted, Ashley would only be released at the age of 56.
Ashley’s Reality
Despite the challenges of prison life, Ashley showed remarkable resilience. Her Thai became excellent, enabling her to communicate and build friendships with fellow inmates. These connections provided mutual support and a sense of security in an environment where vulnerability was a constant risk.
Every day was a battle—to endure, to stay hopeful—but she remained grounded in her faith, and learned to put her trust in the living God, offering help to others and reading whenever possible, though she was only allowed nine books a year.
Lynnette expressed the heartbreak of being unable to protect her daughter, saying, “Ashley’s resilience, but most of all, my trust in Father God’s care for her, gives me hope despite the uncertain future she faces.”
For years, Lynnette and Ashley were only allowed to see each other through a Perspex divider, speaking for just 15 to 20 minutes, twice a week, at a time via phone, each confined to separate rooms. But on Friday, 24 January 2025, for the first time in nearly six years, Lynnette was granted a contact visit with Ashley—a deeply emotional reunion.
Pictured Above: Ashley Oosthuizen with her mom, Lynnette Blignaut. (January 2025)
Ashley’s Needs
Ashley still needed financial support for daily survival, as prisons in Thailand did not provide basic necessities—they provided watered-down rice three times a day, often containing questionable foreign objects. To stay healthy, Ashley had to buy her own food, toiletries, bottled water (as the available water was not always safe to drink), and pay for laundry.
Lynnette continued to fight for her daughter, saying, “As a mother, I did what any parent would—I uprooted my entire life and moved to Thailand in 2022 to be close to Ashley, visit her, and fight for her freedom. Staying here was crucial, as leaving would be devastating for her. However, due to visa restrictions, I was unable to work, and without a source of income at the moment, and my savings running out quickly, I would soon have to rely entirely on donations to cover Ashley’s daily needs in prison as well as my own living expenses while I remained by her side.”
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
To help cover these essential expenses, Lynnette launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. Donations supported Ashley’s daily needs in prison, including food, bottled water, hygiene products, and laundry, which amounted to approximately ฿14,700 (R7,791) per month. Additionally, unexpected legal costs could arise, adding to the financial burden.
Funds also helped Lynnette remain in Thailand, ensuring she could continue visiting and advocating for Ashley—something vital to Ashley’s mental and emotional well-being. Her living expenses totaled around ฿17,000 (R9,010) per month. Combined, their monthly expenses amounted to ฿31,700 (R16,801). A full breakdown of costs was available on the crowdfunding page.
The campaign had already raised over R64 000 from 96 donors in just one month, demonstrating Ashley’s incredible support network and the widespread compassion for her cause. These funds were managed through Hearts4Ashley, an NPC established to support Ashley’s fight for justice.
“To everyone who had supported us along the way—whether through donations, prayers, messages, or simply caring about Ashley—thank you. Your kindness and generosity carried us through the hardest moments, and knowing that so many people cared about my daughter meant more than words could express.”
Follow Lynnette for Updates
Lynnette posts regular updates on Ashley’s situation and their fight for justice through the following social media pages:
Lynn Blignaut, the devoted mother of #AshleyOosthuizen, has shared a heartfelt message of thanks to the 95 generous donors who have supported their BackaBuddy campaign.
Thanks to your kindness through once-off and monthly recurring donations, over R62 000 has been raised — a true blessing that will help cover their living expenses for the next 3.5 months while Ashley remains behind bars in Thailand.
Watch the video to hear Lynn’s message of gratitude: https://youtube.com/shorts/E6n-saAcbWA?feature=share
If you’ve been touched by Ashley’s story, please consider supporting their campaign or sharing this post with someone you know. Incredible things happen when people come together.
South Africa – December 2024: BackaBuddy, South Africa’s leading donations-based crowdfunding platform, is spreading joy this festive season with an exciting announcement: 0% platform fees on all crowdfunding campaigns launched between 1–31 December 2024.
Pictured above: Patrick Schofield (BackaBuddy CEO), and Catherine Du Plooy (BackaBuddy CGO)
A Gift to the Community: 0% Platform Fees for December
As part of its ongoing commitment to helping people make a meaningful impact, BackaBuddy is excited to extend this offer to all campaign creators for December—giving them the opportunity to raise more funds for the causes they care about, with only third-party payment gateway fees applying.
“At BackaBuddy, we are constantly inspired by the generosity, kindness, and compassion we see across our platform, especially in the lead-up to the festive season,” says Catherine Du Plooy, Director and Chief Growth Officer at BackaBuddy. “This 0% platform fee initiative is our gift to our community—an opportunity for campaign creators to raise vital funds with fewer fees and for donors to make an even greater impact. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to come together and give back this December.”
The Impact of Giving: #GivingTuesday and Over R550 Million Raised
The announcement comes just after #GivingTuesday on 3 December, marking the official start of the giving season. Whether you’re supporting a local charity, helping a loved one in need, or funding a personal cause, there’s no better time to launch a campaign and make a difference.
“We’ve been inspired by the overwhelming acts of kindness and generosity throughout 2024. Thanks to the compassion of South Africans and our dedicated donors from around the globe, R106,930,000 was raised on BackaBuddy this year alone, with 118,000 donors supporting more than 24,500 campaigns. Since our launch in 2015, and with the incredible support of our community, over R550 million has been raised on BackaBuddy in total—a true testament to the power of community-driven giving.”
“At BackaBuddy, our mission goes beyond simply raising funds; we are dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to unite for causes that matter. This December, we aim to amplify this spirit of giving, inspiring even more people to join us in making a meaningful impact.”
Innovation and Integrity: What’s Next for BackaBuddy in 2025
In September 2023, BackaBuddy launched a 0% platform fee for charities year-round, with only third-party payment gateway fees applying. This initiative has been a crucial part of BackaBuddy’s ongoing support for charitable organisations, ensuring more funds go directly to the causes that need them.
In 2024, BackaBuddy also relaunched its website, unveiling new features that further enhance the user experience and ensure that campaign creators and donors alike can navigate the platform with ease.
“Our website revamp in March marked an exciting milestone for us as a team and as an organisation, and we are excited to continue improving and innovating, providing a seamless platform for fundraising and community connection,” says Zane Groenewald, Marketing & PR Manager at BackaBuddy. “But this is just the beginning. There is so much more to come in 2025—exciting new features that will further elevate the experience for both campaign creators and donors.”
A Season of Giving
This December, BackaBuddy invites everyone—whether you are a campaign creator or a donor—to join in unwrapping kindness, creating lasting change, and making the season of giving even more meaningful.
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash, with Tiffany and Brittany. (Image credit: Joubert Grigor)
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash. (Image Credit: Justin Terblanche)
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash. (Image Credit: Pierre Gerber)
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche and Amanda (Image Credit: Adri Krige)
98% of Instant messages are typically read within 3 seconds, making it the perfect way to reach out to your immediate circle.
If your campaign has media potential, you reach an unlimited audience of supporters.
Pictured Above: Ashley Oosthuizen with her mom, Lynnette Blignaut. (January 2025)
