At just 15 years old, Shreeya Mahadeo from Malvern, Queensburgh in Durban, is proving that determination, discipline, and heart can take you far beyond the chessboard. Since first picking up a pawn in 2018, she has risen to become one of KwaZulu-Natal’s top female players in her age group.
This year alone, Shreeya has reached extraordinary milestones — earning the Woman Regional Master (WRM) title in June, being crowned Junior Female Player of the Year at the inaugural KZN Chess Awards in August and representing provincial teams with distinction. Now, she has her eyes set on an even bigger goal: flying the SA flag at the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 8–17 November 2025.
But to get there, she needs help. Her family has launched a BackaBuddy campaign to raise R80,190 to cover her flights, accommodation, entry fees, and related expenses.
From Ballet Shoes to a WRM Title
“Shreeya is our daughter (pride and joy) — and not just a child, but truly our everything, inspiration, and the most determined person we know,” her parents shared. “We’ve had the privilege of watching her grow from a seven-year-old ballerina to picking up a chess pawn for the first time to becoming a Chess SA Woman Regional Master and one of KZN’s top female players in her age group.”
Her parents describe the journey as a family effort: “Being her parent means being her biggest supporter, her chauffeur to countless weekend tournaments, and her sounding board after both triumphs and tough losses.” Beyond the trophies, they say, Shreeya’s story is about “dedication, grit, resilience, and compassion — especially in how she uses her talent to raise awareness for causes like Parkinson’s South Africa or inspiring young female chess players locally.”
For Shreeya, mindset is as sharp as any tactic on the board. “My hard work, dedication and consistency are the driving force behind my success. Your biggest fear and opponent will always be looking back at you in the mirror.”
That mindset paid off in 2025: winning the WRM title, sweeping nominations at the KZN Chess Awards, and taking home the title of Junior Female Player of the Year. “I was shocked and humbled to receive nominations in all three categories,” she says. “Winning confirmed that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.”
A Balanced Life — and a Giving Heart
Away from the board, Shreeya lives a full life. A Grade 10 learner, she loves reading, sketching, painting and drawing, and enjoys anime marathons or reflex-testing PlayStation games with her golden retriever, Ziggy, at her side.
“Chess is my passion, but it isn’t my master,” she says. Her parents echo that: “She views life like a chessboard where balance is the ultimate strategy. A champion needs both a sharp mind and a rich, happy childhood.”
At school, she participates in Marimba, Art and Film Club, Photography Club, Entrepreneur Club, Culture Kudos and Squash. She dedicates her community service hours to projects like Paw Prints Rescue and Rehoming, the ‘Pass the Panties’ campaign, Highway Hospice, and Anchor of Hope.
“These experiences have reaffirmed that as young females we are empowered to make a difference in our communities,” she says.
Shreeya also excels at SMART Mental Arithmetic, a Japanese mental maths technique she has studied since 2019. Over the years, she has stacked up a record of victories: Champion of Champions at KZN Regional Championships in 2019, 2021 and 2024, gold in 2022, champion in 2023; at AMSASA Nationals she earned silver (2020 & 2021), champion (2022), bronze (2023) and Champion of Champions again in 2024 and 2025. She even claimed international silver at the AIAMA Championships in 2020.
It’s a reflection of her work ethic that extends far beyond chess.
The Road to Malaysia — and Why Support Matters
Shreeya’s path hasn’t been without heartbreak. Earlier this year, she qualified for both the World Youth Rapid & Blitz Championships in Greece and the African Schools Championships in Kenya but couldn’t attend because of funding.
“We unfortunately missed two international events this year because of funding,” her dad explains. “She doesn’t just play; she commits. These achievements aren’t luck. Every cent raised tells her that her dreams are possible and that the community is behind her.”
Now, the family is determined to ensure she doesn’t miss her chance again. “Representing South Africa means standing on the world stage and saying that our players — especially young women — are a force to be reckoned with,” Shreeya says. “I want to raise the flag high for my family, school and community — and make them proud.”
Her mother, Sash, will accompany her to Malaysia as guardian and support system. “A chess tournament is like a marathon, not a sprint,” Shreeya explains. “My mum is my backbone and cheering squad — she keeps me fed, hydrated and rested.” Her coach will continue guiding her preparation, while her father, Sebastian, will cheer from home as her “strength and voice of reason.”
To reach Kuala Lumpur, the family needs R80,190 for flights, accommodation, Chess SA fees, player registration, uniforms and sundries. Shreeya’s father says she has mapped her dreams in her journal and checks them daily: “Even if a tournament doesn’t end with a medal, the lessons always count.”
Or, in Shreeya’s own words, quoting her favourite anime hero Izuku Midoriya: “I can’t afford to fall behind. I’ll be going for it with everything I have.”
Transoranje School for the Deaf, nestled in Pretoria West, Gauteng, is home to an extraordinary group of young people who are showing South Africa, and the world, that music is not confined to hearing. The school’s Hands of Harmony Choir, made up of profoundly Deaf learners, recently completed a life-changing Karoo tour spanning five provinces and more than 3,000 kilometers, leaving audiences inspired and eager for more.
The tour saw the choir performing in towns such as Sutherland, Merweville, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, and Wolmaransstad, with their main highlight being a moving performance at the Merweville Dankfees in the heart of the Karoo.
Everywhere they went, they were met with standing ovations. Audiences, many of whom had never experienced music visually before, were astonished as songs were interpreted into South African Sign Language (SASL), rhythms were felt through vibrations, and stories were told with hands, faces, and spirit.
For the learners themselves, the journey was equally transformative. They discovered the power of vibration through church organs that shook the wooden floors beneath their feet, or the deep hum of motorbikes at the Bloemfontein Bikers Club. They marveled at natural wonders like the Gariep Dam’s rainbow spray when the sluice gates opened, the Kimberley Big Hole, the giant wind turbines, and even the magic of the night sky at Sutherland’s planetarium. For many, these were first-time experiences, as unforgettable as the performances themselves.
As one choir member explained: “I feel the rhythm through the floor and speakers, and I watch my conductor’s hands, body movements, and facial expressions.”
How the Deaf community creates music
To many, the idea of a Deaf choir may sound impossible. But at Transoranje, music is about more than sound, it’s about connection, presence, and creativity.
The learners use vibrations as their compass. Deep bass and organ notes resonate through floors and walls, allowing them to physically “feel” rhythm. Their conductors, Megan Bester and Carmen Bredenkamp, guide them visually through expressive gestures, facial cues, and body movements. Lyrics are translated into SASL, making each performance a blend of language, rhythm, and storytelling that bridges Deaf and hearing audiences.
Music collaborator Rudi van Wyk, who toured with the choir, describes the experience as life-changing:
“Deaf people do not want to be defined by their hearing ability, they live full, normal lives, with the same hopes, dreams, and needs as anyone else. This journey changed the way I see music, communication, and the power of human connection.”
Rudi shared how everyday environments became part of the music: the pulsing vibrations of motorcycles, the rushing water at Gariep Dam, even the silence of the Karoo night sky, all woven into a sensory tapestry the learners could experience. “Waar Stilte Sing (Where Silence Sings) showed us that rhythm can be felt, dynamics can be seen, and music is truly a universal language,” he said. “Waar stilte sing” was composed by Prof. Theo van Wyk from the University of Pretoria, with lyrics by Rudi van Wyk. Prof. Van Wyk is a leading South African organist and composer, known for bridging tradition with innovation. They were inspired after realising that Transoranje learners experienced the powerful vibrations of the organ. This moment sparked the vision to write a composition built on sound that can be felt as well as heard, allowing Deaf learners to fully share in the music. Rudi’s lyrics capture the vast Karoo landscape and its silent beauty. The work was premiered and officially released for the first time on the Karoo Tour.
Lessons for audiences and learners alike
One of the most moving elements of the tour was watching how audiences engaged with Deaf culture for the first time. Instead of clapping, crowds quickly learned to raise their hands in the traditional Deaf way of showing praise. Children in the audience asked questions about SASL, eager to try their first signs. Concerts became moments of dialogue and awareness, not just entertainment.
Audiences were struck by the learners’ confidence and joy. Many said they had never seen music come alive so visually, and they left with a deeper appreciation for Deaf culture. They learned about traditions like sign names. This is where the Deaf community gives a specific “name” according to a physical feature that stands out to them from the person, as names are not finger spelled. This is a special gift as it can only be given by the Deaf community. They also saw that Deaf children’s lives, hopes, and dreams are no different from anyone else’s.
For the learners, the tour was just as enriching. They gained confidence, teamwork, and stage presence, learning to adapt to long travel days and packed schedules. Teachers reflected that the learners returned with a stronger sense of identity and pride: proof that “Deaf can”.
A campaign to keep the music alive
The success of the Karoo tour has sparked a renewed dream: to take the choir on a second regional tour in 2026 while also ensuring they can perform throughout the year at festivals, Deaf Awareness Month events, and community concerts. To make this possible, the school has launched a revamped crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy.
Their target is R55,000, which will cover essentials such as:
Transport and tolls – R16,000
Meals and catering – R10,000
Accommodation – R5,000
Performance wear and uniforms – R9,000 total
Festival entry fees – R5,000
Other performances across the year – R9,000
During their first campaign, the choir raised R12,400 from 8 generous donors, funds that helped make their Karoo tour possible in 2025. With additional in-kind sponsorships and donations, they stretched that budget to cover essentials like travel, food, and even a much-needed bass speaker. Now, as they look ahead to their next dream, a regional tour planned for 2026, the school has set a new target of R55,000. At present, fundraising for this upcoming goal has yet to begin, making community support more vital than ever.
As the school explains: “This is about more than another tour, it’s about creating opportunities for our learners to showcase their talent, share Deaf culture, and inspire communities across the country.”
More than music
For Hands of Harmony, music is not simply performance, it is identity, advocacy, and hope. Through every song, they remind audiences that Deaf culture is rich, proud, and full of talent. They show that inclusion is possible, that art transcends barriers, and that silence can indeed sing.
By supporting their campaign, South Africans can ensure these young performers continue to grow in confidence, explore the country, and prove that “Deaf can.”
Fred Benning (88) from Fish Hoek (Cape Town) is proving that determination and love can carry you through even the trickiest online hurdles. As South Africa marks Deaf Awareness Month this September, his story highlights what’s possible for people living with hearing loss who want to raise funds and share their voices. Profoundly deaf and a bilateral cochlear implant user, Fred launched a crowdfunding campaign on 20 June 2025 to support his wife of 86 years (and also as a birthday present), Denise, who is now paraplegic after White Spinal Cord Syndrome and requires full-time care. With patient guidance and a little humour, he turned devotion into action—one careful step at a time.
A determined love story, 64 years and counting
Denise is the kind of person who has spent a lifetime giving: a mother, community volunteer, and quiet doer. After a rare post-surgical complication left her permanently paraplegic, daily life changed overnight. Full-time care, wound care, physio, supplies, and non-chronic medication now stretch well beyond what medical aid covers. The family’s goal is simple: dignity for Denise, comfort at home, and a little breathing room each month.
For Fred, the decision to act was immediate. He might be 88 and profoundly deaf, but he is, in Tess’s words,
“an extremely determined bugger.”
Early messages landed in the customer-support inbox flagged: “PROFOUNDLY DEAF, WHATSAPP ONLY.” A chuckle followed—and then the work began.
There were dropped lines and do-overs; at one point, after Tess emailed to say Patience, the carer, could help set things up, Fred replied asking how on earth she knew about “Patience”—possibly forgetting the thirty-minute phone call that happened the week prior, with Patience relaying every sentence to Fred as it progressed. Through it all, the love story stayed centre stage: a husband doing everything he could for the woman who has given so much to others.
What it takes to start a campaign when you’re living with hearing loss
Step by step, the team and family became Fred’s champions in the truest sense: supporters who helped navigate the platform while keeping the campaigner’s voice at the centre.
“We painfully went through every step very slowly over the phone,” says Tessa Rae Van Rensburg from the BackaBuddy team. “Just like my granny, Fred can be quite hasty in pushing buttons—we had to start over a few times. If this experience didn’t teach me patience, I don’t know what would. It also showed me that 88-year-olds can indeed use the platform when the love is strong enough, and being deaf doesn’t have to hold you back.”
The breakthrough came when Fred’s son, Alex Benning, joined as a co-champion. With Alex on board, uploads, forms, and verifications fell into place. Patience stayed close, relaying instructions and keeping spirits steady. Fred’s cochlear implants helped a little; clear written steps, screenshots, and kind repetition helped a lot. In the end, the page went live with photos, a heartfelt story, and a transparent breakdown of costs that donations would cover: Patience’s salary, Denise’s medication, and any outstanding medical bills or shortfalls not paid by medical aid. In every sense, this was inclusive crowdfunding in action—guided by champions, owned by the family’s voice, and built on patience.
How hope turns into help
This September’s focus on Deaf inclusion is more than a calendar moment; it is a call to action. Since launching on 20 June 2025, the campaign has received support from 11 donors—R18,100 given on the platform and a further R10,000 contributed off the platform—toward a goal of R300,000. Every contribution lightens the family’s monthly load and gives Denise the comfort and care she needs. It also honours a marriage of 64 years—and the relentless love of a husband who simply refuses to give up.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a loved one living with hearing loss could start a crowdfunding campaign, let this be your sign: it’s challenging, not impossible—and a champion makes all the difference. And if you’re deaf or hard of hearing and thinking this platform isn’t for you, think again. Find a trusted person to sit alongside you, create a short video with subtitles, add a few photos, and tell your story in your own words. If Fred can do it, so can you—and you’ll find a patient team on the other side, ready to walk you through one step at a time.
South Africa is full of ordinary people doing extraordinary things — from feeding hungry children, to keeping heritage alive, to creating inclusive spaces for those living with dementia. If you’re looking for a way to give back this year, here are a few inspiring initiatives you can support through BackaBuddy.
Here’s a list of charities you can support
Hope & Hunger: Feed the Children of Promiseland
In Promiseland informal settlement, Palmridge, Gauteng, Nonkululeko “Nonny” Mda has made it her mission to fight hunger where it hits hardest.
As founder and chairperson of Ikhaya Lethu (Our Home), Nonny provides hot, nutritious meals for 40 to 100 children and families at a time — many of whom would otherwise go hungry, especially over weekends when school feeding programmes aren’t available.
Running this initiative from her own community, Nonny works as a cleaner to contribute what she can, but relies on donations to keep the pots full. Between R6,000 and R10,000 a month is needed to sustain the project.
Every contribution — whether a once-off gift or a small monthly donation — helps fight hunger and bring hope to families who need it most.
In Diep River, Cape Town, lies a resilient community known as Gatjie. Families here face daily hardships: leaky shacks, hunger, and vulnerability during heavy rains. Yet, their spirit and sense of togetherness never fade.
This initiative honours the legacy of a mother who dedicated her life to helping others. Today, her family continues her work by feeding children, repairing homes, and creating safe spaces for play and connection.
Your support provides essentials like food, blankets, clothing, and building materials — helping children and families not just survive, but thrive.
Bringing Joy & Connection to Families Living with Dementia
Dementia doesn’t only affect the elderly — it touches families of all ages. That’s why Be in the World creates uplifting, inclusive workshops that use art, music, movement, and play to bring connection and dignity to those living with dementia and their loved ones.
After successful pilots in Lotus River and Woodstock, the programme is now expanding to Cape Town’s Deep South. Donations help cover facilitators, venues, nutritious catering, and accessibility needs so that no family is excluded because of financial barriers.
Your gift makes these spaces possible — transforming isolation into joy and shared moments that truly matter.
Stories are at the heart of culture, carrying values and lessons from one generation to the next. Yet in South Africa, 81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning in any language — a crisis that impacts the future of education.
That’s why FableReads is on a mission to make timeless global fables accessible in multiple languages, starting with isiXhosa. With your support, 25 stories will be translated, narrated, and published online, before being printed and distributed to under-resourced schools and communities.
Every donation helps expand access to mother-tongue literacy, ignite imaginations, and connect cultures.
This Heritage Month, Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH) is celebrating not just buildings, but the people who bring them to life.
One of their treasures is Pothier House, a listed heritage building that has sheltered elders for more than a century. But Pothier is just one of 11 NOAH houses — all providing dignity, companionship, and safety to older South Africans.
Your donation helps maintain these homes — from fixing leaking roofs to replacing geysers — ensuring that elders can continue to live with stability and purpose.
Support heritage by preserving the spaces, stories, and wisdom of those who’ve shaped our country.
While we celebrate what makes South Africa unique, let’s remember those who go without — whether it’s food, safety, literacy, or connection. Supporting these initiatives is a way to uplift communities, preserve heritage, and ensure no one is left behind.
Create your own crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, has supported more than 10,000 individuals and charities to raise funds for medical care, education, community projects, and countless causes across the country. To date, the platform has helped raise over R400 million for those in need.
The non-profit organisation Be in the World is shining a light on dementia and the people it affects, especially in the awareness build up in light of World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September. Its mission is simple but profound: to create safe, creative spaces where families living with dementia can connect through music, art, movement, wellness activities, and shared meals.
Be in the World grew out of lived caregiving experience and a deep recognition of how lonely and exhausting home-based care can be.
Linda Pithers (Founder of Be in the World) says: “Families are too often left without guidance, battling stress, burnout, and stigma.”
The organisation she founded last year is working to change that by building community hubs that reduce isolation, foster inclusion, and demonstrate that life with dementia can still hold creativity, dignity, and connection.
Building Community-Rooted Support
Rather than applying a rigid clinical model, Be in the World adapts to local needs — whether in Woodstock, Lotus River, or the Deep South. These hubs are not simply workshops; they are lifelines where families can experience companionship, peer support, and dignity.
Above image: Woodstock workshops
Importantly, Be in the World sees its programmes as community-led. The idea is that each pilot area develops its own outcomes. Participants, activity providers, facilitators, and coordinators all play a role in shaping what works for their community.
The Pilot Sessions
The pilot sessions Be in the World has coordinated so far are designed as platforms to explore new approaches and activities — or to reintroduce ones that aren’t widely available. Sessions may include painting, collage, movement, music, or salt-dough modelling, alongside caregiver wellness coaching, counselling, and basic training. Families also share nutritious meals, laughter, and moments of lightness together.
One participant, Denise (57), described the change it brought to her family:
“The workshops were informative but also deeply meaningful, giving us tools, encouragement and a sense of connection…. I saw my mother in a completely different light. She still has abilities we were overlooking.”
Another, Rashid (61), expressed his relief:
“Now I know we are not going through this situation alone. That has made life so much easier.”
Facilitators, too, have seen the impact. Kenneth from Art4Life recalls how hesitant participants eventually joined in:
“The sessions unlock social cues and non-verbal memory prompts, and a calmer and happier mood, creating meaningful interaction even when recall is limited.”
These stories reveal the potential of inclusion: when people with dementia are seen, heard, and celebrated, stigma begins to give way to belonging.
The Campaign of Hope
To ensure these pilot projects remain accessible, Be in the World launched a BackaBuddy campaign on 15 August 2025. The goal is to raise R20,000, so that no family is excluded due to financial barriers. So far, eight donors have contributed R4,850, helping the dream take root.
Donations cover essential costs such as facilitators, venues, catering, and outreach. Each session costs about R5,000 to run and serves up to 20 people. For R250, a donor can sponsor one person’s participation in a single session. A contribution of R1,000 covers one person’s participation in all four sessions of a pilot programme.
This support helps Be in the World provide ongoing opportunities for families, while also building evidence of need and establishing a community presence. The pilots are a first step — gathering the data and local involvement needed to build long-term sustainability.
Changing the Narrative Around Dementia
One of the greatest barriers families face is stigma. Dementia is too often misunderstood as “normal ageing” or something to be hidden. Be in the World is helping to challenge these myths by raising awareness that dementia is a disease — and that activity, connection, and support can improve quality of life.
This November, Be in the World is focusing on Cape Town’s Deep South. The pilot there will explore how families, businesses, and local leaders can seed a future “dementia-friendly” community, where inclusion is part of everyday life.
Be in the World’s projects demonstrate that dementia does not mean the end of joy, dignity, or belonging. Instead, they highlight how communities can rise together to provide support, reduce stigma, and create spaces where everyone feels included.
The campaign is more than fundraising — it is about building a culture of compassion and resilience.
In aid of raising awareness around World Alzheimer’s Day, Be in the World reminds us all: families living with dementia don’t need to walk this journey alone. With collective action, small donations, and open hearts, we can build communities where everyone truly gets to Be in the World.
Pretoria, South Africa (19 September 2025) – When 19-year-old Arthur Mathebula from Pretoria West, Gauteng, launched a BackaBuddy campaign on 15 September to attend his Matric Dance, he asked for just R2,500 to cover his ticket, outfit, and a few expenses. What followed became a story of generosity that captured the hearts of thousands of South Africans.
Now, Arthur has shared his first update — and the impact goes far beyond the dance floor.
From R0 to R19,000 in Days
Arthur’s campaign began quietly, with few donations at first. But everything changed when x-user Paballo Maseko came across his appeal and decided to share it with her followers. Her post encouraged South Africans to step in, and within hours, Arthur’s modest goal was met and exceeded.
Donations poured in, ranging from R20 and R50 to larger contributions of R500 and R1,000. By 19 September, 162 donors had given more than R19,000, ensuring Arthur could attend his Matric Dance, while giving him so much more.
Supporters left heartfelt words alongside their donations, including:
“I don’t have much but I hope this helps. All the best boyza.
“Enjoy the dance. Try to save some money for future endeavours. Remember, the world is full of kind people.”
“For iMcFlurry after matric dance.”
Arthur’s First Update
In his first campaign update, Arthur expressed his deep gratitude:
“I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible support I’ve received through BackaBuddy. When I started this campaign, I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but thanks to the kindness of so many generous people, I was able to raise over R10,000. This has given me the boost I needed to pay my school fees and continue my studies at Hoërskool Pretoria-Wes.”
Beyond his school fees, Arthur says the support also made it possible for him to attend his Matric Dance alongside his classmates.
“Being able to celebrate this moment with my classmates is something I never imagined would happen, and it’s all thanks to you.”
More Than Just a Dance
For Arthur, the campaign has brought more than financial relief — it has given him renewed hope for the future.
“Before this, I often felt stuck and unsure if I would ever make it, but your generosity has reminded me that I am not alone,” he shared. “Each donation, no matter the size, has changed my life in ways words can hardly express. I will carry this kindness with me and hopefully pay it forward one day.”
His story is a reminder of how powerful we are when we stand together. A single share inspired hundreds of people to rally behind Arthur and united they made a tangible difference in his life.
