For a crowdfunding campaign to succeed in the digital age, campaign creators need to connect with their audience through positive storytelling and visual content.
In this guide, we will be discussing how video content can empower your campaign and allow you to raise more funds and awareness for your cause.
If you missed our guide on campaign story writing, please click here.
Why create a campaign video?
Crowdfunding campaigns supported with relevant and campaign-specific video content tend to raise 4 times more funds on average.
When sharing on social media, video content also increases your engagement up to 7 times – this means that your post is more likely to be shared and reach more people than a static image or written post.
Shoot a video on your phone
For the purpose of a crowdfunding campaign, you don’t need professional lighting, equipment or editing skills to convey a powerful message.
We recommend shooting a short, personal and informal message on your cellphone that can be posted on social media as well as your crowdfunding campaign.
Make sure you are presentable and wearing comfortable clothes (try to avoid clothes with busy designs or alot of text).
Choose a clearbackdrop or tidy background to shoot your video.
Try to eliminate as much background noise as possible.
Lastly, just be yourself.
Telling your story
Keeping in mind that your video should be between 1-3 minutes long, try to answer these questions in a friendly, positive manner:
Who are you fundraising for?
What are you fundraising for and how will funds be used?
What will the positive impact of donations be?
What lead you to crowdfund? (Turning point)
What is your time-frame?
How will funds be administered? (paid into a personal account or directly to a supplier/institution?)
Let viewers know where they can make a donation
Ask viewers to support your campaign by donating on BackaBuddy and ask them to help share your campaign with their friends and family.
*Remember to include your campaign link in the post you create, to make donations easy.
Include text and images in your video
Did you know? Videos are commonly watched without sound? Using simple video editing software, make your video more engaging by adding images, text, captions or animations to expand on your campaign message.
Video Editing software to use
For simple video editing, we recommend using apps like Vue or InShot – free apps available on both IOS and Android devices. Watch these tutorials below to help you make your decision.
If you would like to include music in your video, avoid copyrighted material as this is often muted on social media and could have legal implications.
Luckily, YouTube has put together an Audio Library of free, copyrighted music anyone can use.
Take a look at these inspiring videos on BackaBuddy
From living as a homeless man on the streets of Pretoria, Llewellyn Barnes defeated all odds to participate amongst professional players in major golf tournament. With his crowdfunding campaign, set up by non-profit organization, Fearless Love, Llewellyn shared his life story and where his love of golf began. Read more.
American intern, Joseph Payne, made an inspiring and informative video for his Backabuddy campaign to support the DOCKDA Rural Development Agency. Using a combination of images, text and snippets of video, he perfectly described his crowdfunding project.
When Amahle Zenzile was unable to attend the South African Junior Chess Champions Closed in Johannesburg, her best friend and fellow competitor, Trinity Van Beeck set up a crowdfunding campaign on her behalf. In their campaign video, Trinity and Amahle challenged each other to a friendly game of chess and shared details of their close friendship. Read more.
The Owen’s family, put together an emotive video with their crowdfunding campaign for IVF treatment. With enough background information we got a sense of what they were going through.
20 years ago, Marlene Spies went into kidney failure and was in a coma for a long time. The medication she was given affected her the ability to hear and see.
To restore her hearing with a Cochlear Implant her granddaughter set up a campaign on BackaBuddy. The positive impact donations would have on Marlene’s life and wellbeing is undeniable in this short video.
Blankets for Baby Rhinos put together a short yet effective ‘thank you’ message onto their campaign to show how donations had already been put to use.
When Kerryn and Michelle Hugo shared the news with their beloved domestic worker, Antonia Mtambo that the campaign to build her a new home had exceeded their initial fundraising target, her response was so heartfelt that donations kept coming in and the video even made national news! Read more.
Did you know that on Facebook video content results in 7 times more engagement? (likes/comments/shares). Learn more about posting your campaign video on Facebook here.
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.
The implementation of the national 35 day lockdown to flatten the curve of the COVID19 pandemic has interrupted the lives of all South Africans. While our economy has come to a halt and many things seem uncertain, the South African spirit remains intact.
Take a look at these crowdfunding initiatives launched on BackaBuddy, to support South Africans in need.
Supporting doctors, nurses and healthcare facilities
The Solidarity Fund
As mentioned in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on Monday the 23rd of March, The Solidarity Fundhas been set up to contain the spread of the Covid19 virus, detect and monitor infections, ensure that all those infected get proper treatment and support those disrupted by the crisis this pandemic has created. The campaign has raised over R1.3 Million thus far.
Support this cause on BackaBuddy.By donating to this campaign, all donors qualify for a Section 18A tax certificate issued by The Solidarity Fund.
The Gift of the Givers
The Gift of the Givers have been working tirelessly to fight the spread of the Coronavirus epidemic, by assisting medical practitioners and facilities on the frontline with necessary supplies such as manual and automated ventilation equipment, intubation equipment, medical supplies and safety equipment. The campaign has raised over R1.7 Million thus far. Read more
Support this cause on BackaBuddy.By donating to this campaign, all donors qualify for a Section 18A tax certificate issued by The Gift of The Givers.
1st for Women Insurance
1st for Women Insurance has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support nurses with protective gear and psychosocial support, partnering with Gift of the Givers and Vula Mobile to care for our nurses on the frontline of covid19. To kickstart their campaign the company donated R500 000 to their cause. Read more
Support this cause on BackaBuddy.By donating to this campaign, all donors qualify for a Section 18A tax certificate issued by The Gift of The Givers.
Anaesthesiologist, Dr Niall Evans
Dr Niall Evans, a specialist anaesthesiologist in Cape Town affiliated to the private and public hospital doctor groups, has launched a campaign to support the Gift of The Givers, in providing health workers with N95 masks, as both public and private hospitals are currently unable to provide them. The campaign has raised almost R400 000 thus far.
Support this cause on BackaBuddy. By donating to this campaign, all donors qualify for a Section 18A tax certificate issued by The Gift of The Givers.
N95 masks needed by health workers
The Witkoppen Clinic
The Witkoppen Clinic have created a campaign to prepare for an increase in Covid19 cases should the coronavirus strike Region A and hit the rest of Johannesburg even harder.
“The healthcare system in South Africa is only as strong as its weakest link and sadly Region A of the City of Johannesburg is a weak link.” says campaign creator Dagmar Kahn, “There is no general hospital in the north of Johannesburg, but rather this gap has been filled over the last 70 years by Witkoppen Clinic (Witkoppen). But with COVID-19, the bridge over this gap is slowly crumbling and reaching its breaking point!”
Support this campaign on BackaBuddy. As a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), any contributions to Witkoppen would enjoy Section 18A tax-exempt status.
Hlayisekani Frontline Support Fund
The Hlayisekani Frontline Support Fund has been set up by doctors, Jacques Du Toit and Bianca Moffett to support frontline healthcare workers in rural Mpumalanga.The Tinstwalo/Wits COVID Response Team urgently need help to prepare their rural hospital and clinics for the inevitable spread of COVID19.
Kirsty Richardson launched a campaign to support the False Bay Hospital in Cape Town with funds to purchase supplies and support their staff during the covid19 outbreak.
Non-profit organisation, A Plea For PPE have created a campaign to provide masks, face shields and other personal protective equipment to health-care workers, doctors, nurses, EMTs and support staff across South Africa.
Sibongile Mongadi from Gauteng launched a campaign to assist healthcare workers on the frontline of the Covid19 outbreak. Teaming up with designers with 3D printing capabilities, Sibongile hopes to raise funds to purchase material filaments, 2 more 3D printers and laser cutter to produce masks.
Heatherbank School in the Walmer Township in Port Elizabeth, have created a campaign to support their 207 students who rely on their school feeding scheme. They hope to provide the students and their families with R200 food vouchers during the lockdown.
Focusing on Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas, Porky’s People, has created a campaign on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, to support as many families as possible with food and other essential items during the lockdown. READ MORE
Honoring social distancing guidelines, funds raised by Porky’s campaign will be converted into digital food vouchers that can be redeemed at any local Shoprite supermarket.
Facebook group, #ShutSADown, have created a campaign to raise funds to purchase digital food vouchers for families across South Africa who are unable to work during the lockdown and are struggling financially as a result.
#SanitizeSouthAfrica is a movement created by a group of young South African women, to raise funds to provide sanitization materials to communities who do not have the luxury of self-isolating and are unable to wash their hands constantly.
Cape Town Together is a rapidly developing community-based response to COVID-19. To support the Kirstenhof, Tokai, Westlake and Mitchells Plain communities in Cape Town, a campaign has been launched to assist vulnerable families with food, sanitation items, baby products and other essential items during the lockdown.
Brandon Lee Hunt, a full-time musician from Cape Town, has created a campaign to help support his family as he is unable to perform shows with the implementation of the lockdown. Brandon has promised donors that he will also be hosting live concerts from home to keep everyone entertained and inspired during this period.
Storm Febb (25) a chef from Plettenberg Bay, has launched a campaign to help provide for himself and his 4-year-old daughter during the lockdown. Before the Covid19 outbreak, Strom secured a position at Hamanya Beach in Israel but his plans were sadly interrupted.
Blind entertainer, Gary G, from Cape Town has created a campaign to make up for the loss of income he is experiencing after having to cancel his upcoming gigs due to the lockdown.
Clynton Clarke, AKA DJ Bizzy B. has created a campaign to make up for the loss of income he is experiencing due to being unable to work during the lockdown. Funds raised will help him provide for his family.
Sport paramedics, Yolanda and Henry Pearson from Pretoria, have been unable to work as schools have closed for the lockdown and all sporting tours have been canceled. To cover their bills, the couple have set up a campaign to raise funds.
Malusu Mpateni has launched a campaign to support his siblings who need help covering their bank repayments as their daycare center in Cosmo City, Johannesburg, is unable to operate during the lockdown.
Annorien Geyer, owner and founder of Bloemfontein Authentic Barbershop, has created a campaign to help her employees get through the lockdown as they rely on their commission to support their families.
Lending his support, Singer Francois van Coke posted this message on his social media to encourage donations.
Jurgen Fourie who runs a small garden services company in Port Elizabeth, has set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for his 6 employees as they are unable to work during the extended lockdown. The campaign has raised over R25 000 thus far.
With the implementation of the national lockdown, Beerhouse has had to temporarily lay off over 80 staff members. To support its employees with funds to support their families, the company set up a campaign on BackaBuddy that has thus far raised over R40 000.
CNR Cafe in Randburg, Johannesburg, have launched a campaign to raise funds for their 18 staff members who have lost their main source of income due to the COVID19 lockdown. With the support of generous donors, the campaign has raised over R60 000 thus far.
The Royale restaurant in Randburg, Johannesburg have created a campaign to support their waiters and bar staff during the lockdown period. With the support of generous donors, the campaign has raised over R40 000 thus far.
Founders Restaurant and Grill in Sandton, Johannesburg, have launched a campaign to support their 9 waiters during the lockdown period. The campaign has raised over R20 000 thus far.
Caroline Strydom, the Owner of Perfectly Polished, a Boutique Salon in Craighall has launched a campaign to support their talented beauty therapists that rely on tips and commission to get by. The campaign has raised over R30 000 thus far.
Jeff Livingston from Durban has launched a campaign to save his business, Zulumoon Gondolas and support his 7 workers during the lockdown period.
“Since the onset of the coronavirus, our business has been forced to close over what is one of our peak seasons which carries us through the year. We need help now so that when it is over we can continue with the business and keep the jobs of our team which represent not only the individuals but their families as well. “ says Jeff
Farro restaurant in Johannesburg has launched a campaign to support their staff members who are unable to work and provide for their families during the lockdown.
Espresso Caffé and Bistro in Gauteng have launched a campaign to support their waiters and bartenders during the lockdown. Many of the waiters started as kitchen staff and some have been working for the company for over 20 years.
Sergio Caon, owner of Bistro Dolce Vita Restaurant, in Morningside, Johannesburg, has launched a campaign to help cover the salaries of his 14 staff members for the duration of the lockdown.
Netsai Washaya, the managing director of TimeOut Nails & Beauty, has launched a campaign to support their 5 technicians as they are unable to work during the lockdown.
Quote This Woman, a non-profit organization and database of woman experts, have launched a campaign to keep their website running and cover the salaries of their staff during lockdown.
Cattle Baron in Tyger Waterfront in Cape Town, have launched a campaign to support their staff, most who are the breadwinners of their family, with funds to get them through the lockdown as they are unable to work.
LLoyd Newton, the owner of Satori Restaurant in Johannesburg, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the salaries of his staff as they are unable to work and receive tips during the lockdown.
Owner of SIX restaurant in Johannesburg, Ebrahim Asmal, has launched a campaign to cover the salaries of his Waiters and Bartenders as they are unable to work during the lockdown.
BlackJack Events have launched a campaign to support their 200+ waiters, barmen, chefs and porters from Gauteng, who rely on hourly wages and tips to get by. Most of the individuals have been with the company for over 15 years and are also the primary breadwinners in their families.
Owner of Resilience Gymnastics Club in Robertsham, Johannesburg South, Roxanne van Herwaarde, has launched a campaign to help cover their rent costs and employee wages as they are unable to operate during the lockdown period.
Faaiza Omar from Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, celebrated her 40th birthday by launching a campaign to support the Al-Imdaad Foundation and their Covid19 initiatives for families left without income, food and access to healthcare. Her campaign has thus far raised over R100 000.
TooMuchWifi has launched a campaign to distribute critical information and much-needed internet access in some of the most high-risk communities in South Africa for COVID19 infections and mortality.
The project will specifically benefit the following areas in Cape Town: Dunoon, Langa, Joe Slovo, Manenberg, Gugulethu, Philippi, Nyanga, Bonteheuwel, Vrygrond, Phoenix, Hangberg, Imizamo Yethu, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Mitchells Plain
Shelley Finch and a group of friends from Cape Town, have launched a campaign to give at least 200 families across South Africa the gift of food security during the COVID19 lockdown period by purchasing Nutritional Packs. With their project, they aim to support the following organisations: Philisa Abefazi Bethu, Ukama Community Foundation, Community Action Networks (CAN). This campaign has already raised over R140 000 with support from generous donors.
To support the reclaimers that play a crucial role in our society, African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) have launched a campaign as to support the activists who are unable to work during the lockdown. With their campaign they hope to support more than 6000 families with food and essential items.
Founder of Bambelela Wildlife Care NPC, Silke von Eynern, has launched a campaign to help keep their doors open as the lockdown has directly affected their fundraising efforts and the organization’s sustainability.
The Dlala Nje Foundation has created a campaign to raise funds to cover their fixed and running costs, as they are unable to generate funds through their Johannesburg inner-city tours with the implementation of the national lockdown.
Facebook group and NPC, #Imstaying have launched a campaign to prevent a potential outbreak of COVID19 in Mfuleni, an informal settlement in Cape Town, by providing residents with hygiene packs.
Massimo’s restaurant in Hout Bay have created a campaign to prepare meals to be distributed to the needy, in collaboration with ‘Gracie love in a bowl’ and ‘Community Cookup IY’.
The Township Yogi Project has created a campaign to curb the spread of the coronavirus in our township and slum communities by purchasing hand sanitizer for those in need.
Phronesis Students Development Trust NPC is a Non-Governmental Organisation, dedicated to breaking the cycle of Poverty. They have launched a campaign to raise funds to pack 1000 food and hygiene parcels for underprivileged, informal and rural communities during the Covid-19 Lockdown.
Karl Hildebrandt, Founder of The PWR Project, based in Cape Town, has launched a campaign to raise funds to provide 300 meals a day to the homeless, elderly and vulnerable during the lockdown. Funds raised will go directly towards preparing the meals, which cost around R10 each.
Debbie Sykes has launched a campaign called #CircusKidsConnect, to raise funds to cover data costs for the Zip Zap Social Circus beneficiaries. Data will allow these students to gain online access to their training, inspirational messages, zapercises and ‘how to’ series through Zip Zap’s Virtual Circus.They are aiming to connect 250 students with 2G data during the lockdown period.
The CreditSmart team have launched a campaign to support consumers who are unable to earn money during the lockdown period and are unable to pay their debit. With this fund, the company aims to help as many consumers as possible pay at least one account that has no alternative but to be paid and help individuals in need purchase food and other essentials
A campaign has been created to support over 60 young girls who attend the BRAVE workshops in the Cape Flats with food, hygiene and cleaning supplies to make it through the lockdown period. Over R20 000 has thus far been raised.
Carin Lichtenstein from Midrand launched a campaign to support Ubuhle Bezwe, an orphanage in the informal settlement of Ivory Park. Funds raised will help the organisation feed the 40 children in their care for the next 3 months.
Pug Rescue SA , who home 189 orphaned Pugs and Honorary-Pugs have also launched a campaign to make up for their upcoming fundraisers that have been cancelled due to the nationwide lockdown.
Nation Builder, a Mergon initiative, that inspires and equips businesses to lead in social change have created a campaign to support non-profit organisations across South Africa. Funds raised will be used to stand in the gap for NPOs who have lost and will lose significant funding with the nationwide lockdown.
Running Wild Conservation, a Non-Profit Organization, that looks after lions and cheetah’s have launched a campaign to help cover their running costs, outstanding veterinary bills and to support their staff during the covid19 outbreak.
Non-profit organisation, CHOC, who look after children and teenagers suffering from cancer, have created a campaign to make up for the loss of income they will experience after having to cancel their upcoming fundraising events.
Cheetah Preservation Foundation which has been running for 35 years, have launched a campaign to keep their doors open, as they receive no government funding and their upcoming fundraising events have been canceled due to the lockdown.
The Manger Care Centre currently houses and feeds more than 230 individuals that are elderly, disabled or destitute. With their crowdfunding campaign, the organisation is raising funds to provide Masks, Gloves, hand sanitizer and other essential items to the people in their care. Unable to fundraise during this time, the organisation also needs funds to cover their rent, electricity and water and building maintenance.
Bet on better have created a crowdfunding campaign to provide families in need, as well as homeless individuals, that have been placed in temporary shelters around Johannesburg with food and essential supplies.
Foundation for the Advancement of Musicians Empowerment
The Foundation for the Advancement of Musicians Empowerment NPO have created a campaign to support local musicians who have had to cancel events, festivals, shows, performances, and gigs due to the lockdown.
The South Coast Hospice Association has created a campaign to make up for the loss of income they are experiencing due to having their in-house fundraising canceled due to the lockdown.
The Msunduzi Hospice Association in Kwa-zulu Natal has launched a campaign to cover their running costs after their fundraising events have been canceled due to the lockdown.
Create your own crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy:
BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up crowdfunding campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various other causes in South Africa.
Quote This Woman+, an organisation founded in 2019, which works to amplify the voices of women in the media, is celebrating over R60 000 raised on BackaBuddy to continue bridging gender gaps as they enter 2021.
Currently, less than 20% of sources quoted in the news are women.
Kathy Magrobi, founder and director of the non-profit, said that the public support shows the importance of promoting women’s voices in the media.
The organisation’s key focus this year has been building its database of women+ experts, as a resource for media organisations to diversify whose voices get quoted in the news.
QW+ volunteers have grown the database exponentially since the onset of Covid-19, and it now hosts over 370 women+ experts, including leading public health figures and specialists in fields from agriculture to zoology. The + in the name means that the database encompasses all marginalised voices.
Magrobi said that the funds through their crowdfunding campaign will help the organisation expand its work in 2021, including adding new members to its database of experts, and focusing on further fundraising and sustainability.
“Every donation, large and small, makes a difference. Every donation is a stitch in our safety net for 2021, a year that will need women’s voices more urgently than at any time in our history,” she said.
Quote This Woman+ is a non-profit company based in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, but working throughout South Africa. Their aim is to contribute to gender transformation of the media landscape through the use of woman+ voices and narratives that better correlate to South African demographics.
They are building a body of woman+ experts in traditionally male-dominated fields to appear on panels and in the news, and are collating new narratives from this database with the aim of broadening the news agenda. Contact Quote This Woman+
Create a crowdfunding campaign
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 raised over R200 Million.
Since the beginning of lockdown, Chad Nathan (27), a photographer, videographer and social media influencer from Sea Point, Cape Town, has been documenting the effect the coronavirus pandemic has had on the less fortunate in the Western Cape, Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
In working closely with non-profit organisations in Cape Town, namely Cans With Purpose, Ladles of Love, Breadline Africa, and Courage, Chad felt it was his responsibility to ‘take action’ and use his platform to carry out random acts of kindness.
”With no cars on the road, it pained me to see people digging in trash cans looking for food. I could see how the homeless were going to suffer and I knew I had to do something about it” says Chad.
With a crowdfunding campaign called “Raising Hope”, launched on BackaBuddy, Chad set out to raise R100 000 to lend a helping hand to those in need.
After reaching out to his Instagram followers, he soon exceeded his fundraising target, raising over R620 000 with generous contributions from 1253 donors both locally and internationally.https://www.youtube.com/embed/mFtMlhLNyk8?feature=oembed
The Impact of ‘Raising Hope’
With the success of his campaign, Chad has been able to support over 35 non-profit organisations and communities across the country in dire need.
With funds raised:
Over R100 000 was donated to support over 850 refugees in Kensington with food, tents, clean clothes, toiletries and other essential items.
Over R80 000 was donated to Ladles of Love Soup Kitchen.
Over R80 000 was donated to Courage, a COVID-19 community response initiative.
Over R70 000 was donated to Afrika Tikkun’s Cans With Purpose project to feed families in need.
Over R30 000 was donated to Breadline Africa who build classrooms, toilet facilities, and kitchens in ECD centers as well as primary school libraries across South Africa.
Over R15 000 was donated to The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children as well as Uyinene Mrwetyana Fund to help victims of Gender Based Violence.
Over R15 000 was donated to Tears Animal Rescue, Woodrock Animal Rescue and Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary to support animals in need.
Over R10 000 was donated to One Bag Full to help communities in Langa.
Over R8000 was donated to Living Hope to support the thousands of individuals displaced by the Masiphumelele fires.
With generous donations, Raising Hope, has fed many families in need.
As the number of coronavirus infections rise in South Africa, Chad is hoping to raise a further R400 000 with his campaign to support feeding schemes in Langa, Mannenberg, Hanover Park, Delft, and many more.
“I am so thankful for each and every person who has donated to my campaign and I hope we will get the chance to change the lives of many more people. Everyday thousands of South Africans are losing their lives, jobs and their livelihoods to this virus. Together we can ease the suffering and come out stronger” – says Chad
Make a donation to support the ‘Raising Hope’ project:
With the implementation of the national lockdown to flatten the curve of the COVID19 pandemic, many families were been left destitute without the means to earn an income and provide for their families.
Focusing on Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas, Porky’s People, created a campaign on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, which supported as many families as possible with food and other essential items during the lockdown.
Honoring social distancing guidelines, funds raised by their campaign was be converted into digital food vouchers that were redeemed at any local Shoprite supermarket.
The campaign went live on the 19th of April 2020 and has raised a total of R 14 803.69 with contributions from 36 donors.
“With our campaign, we have done our best to help as many people as possible on a first-come, first-serve basis. The public has joined us in raising funds as we strive to overcome this global pandemic.” – Porky’s co-founder, Theresa Pienaar
The platform also welcomed donations in the form of food parcels, if any individuals or small businesses would have liked to join their efforts to feed the vulnerable families during this time.
View Porky’s People campaign in feeding vulnerable families in Pietermaritzburg here:
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 raised over R270 Million.
Up until a year ago, Llewellyn Barnes (59) was a homeless man, living on the streets of Pretoria. Last March, against all odds, he participated amongst professional players in the Senior Tour, a major golf tournament.
A difficult childhood
At an early age, Llewellyn faced many obstacles. He became an orphan at the age of 10, after suffering the loss of his father who worked as a security guard. With his mom unable to take care of him and his siblings on her salary as a domestic worker, he was separated from his family.
He later found himself living in a hostel on Zwartkops golf course in Centurion and his sisters were placed in foster care in the Eastern Cape.
It was at Zwartkops, where Llewellyn’s love affair with golf began. He would attend school in the morning and in the afternoon, he would run to the golf course looking for caddie opportunities.
“I carried my first golf bag when I was only 10 years old. Those days, working as a caddie paid well. I was paid 30c for a day’s work, enough to buy bread and a cold drink. This is where my love for the game started. I dreamed that one day I would become a professional golfer“ – says Llewellyn
Pictured above: Llewellyn Barnes
At the age of 13, Llewellyn ran away from Zwartkops after suffering abuse from both teachers and students. He found himself in Durban, sleeping in a kombi and selling newspapers to support himself.
He later learned that his mother was staying in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape and did his best to reunite with her.
“I never thought I would see my mom again. When I eventually found her, she was living with another man who didn’t have much time for us. They were always drinking and fighting and I knew I couldn’t stay there. I was soon sent to a school in Cape Town, but I didn’t stay long. What are you going to do when you are 18 and in Grade 8? I ran away.”- says Llewellyn
Llewellyn then went to stay with his grandmother, aunt and 3 cousins in East London. Instead of being welcomed, Llewellyn felt more like a liability and was pressured into finding a job. Being uneducated, his opportunities were limited and he struggled to find employment.
Experiencing hunger and homelessness
Instead of relying on his family, Llewellyn decided to go back to Zwartkops only to learn that the school had closed down in 1975. To make a small income, he returned to work as a caddie on the golf course.
“You don’t need to be educated when you are a caddie, you just need to know the game. I caddied for a couple of years, sleeping under a tree after a day on the golf course. On cold winter nights, the other caddies and I would make huge fires to stay warm, it wasn’t fun and it wasn’t easy, but we made it through together” – says Llewellyn
On days when work was slow, Llewellyn would dive into the Hennops river, even on cold winter mornings, in search of golf balls he could sell.
“Sometimes you were lucky, in the summer, when the floods would come, you would find hundreds of balls under the bridge. On days where I couldn’t find any balls, I would have nothing to eat.” – says Llewellyn
When the golf course underwent renovations and became a golf estate, Llewellyn had to leave. With nowhere to go at the age of 25, he was forced to live on the streets and face a world of uncertainty and danger. Despite his difficult circumstances, he found solace in playing golf whenever the opportunity arose.
On days when he found caddie jobs around Centurion, he would have some money to eat and a place to sleep for the night, other nights he would sleep in the bush or on the pavement.
“Life on the streets was tough but I had to manage. I had no one to look up to, no one to complain to. I had no family, no place to call home, I was alone. At night I would pray that the Tsotsies wouldn’t kill me. I slept with one eye open, waiting for morning” – says Llewellyn
An unlikely friendship
In January 2019, Llewellyn’s luck started to change. Upon hearing that he was homeless, the golf club where he was caddying offered him a storage container to stay in. Soon after Llewellyn made an unlikely friend by the name of Gareth Frost (45) who was running a ‘breakfast club’ on Saturday mornings for the homeless at Weirda bridge.
The pair connected through their mutual love of sport and in time formed a special and unbreakable bond. After breakfast one morning, Llewellyn took a leap of faith and told Gareth that he could play professional golf and all he needed was a sponsor.
Pictured above: Llewellyn Barnes and Gareth Frost
“I am used to requests from my homeless friends. They normally ask for a pair of shoes or shirts. When Llewellyn asked if I would like to sponsor him because he believed he could play professional golf, I didn’t think he was serious. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that there could be something special about this guy and I thought God was speaking to me.” – says Gareth.
For senior amateur golfers, the fastest way to get playing status in any major tournament is to make it through Qualifying School. Gareth followed the advice of the Senior Tour directors, learned the requirements and gathered the funds for Llewellyn to enter Q-School in January 2020. With second hand golf clubs and a prayer, they waited with anticipation for the first Q-school tournament.
Gareth’s advice to Llewellyn before the game has now become his motto “Every shot is an act of worship”. Showcasing his natural ability, Llewellyn silenced naysayers with a handicap of +2 despite not playing golf for over a year.
Struggling to hide his excitement, Llewellyn phoned Gareth to tell him the news that he had qualified as a professional golfer with provisional exception to participate in the Senior Tour, a major professional tournament part of the Sunshine Golf Tour.
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
To participate in the Senior Tour, that began in March last year, Llewellyn needed to cover his travelling and lodging costs. He also needed a new attire and a new set of golf clubs, as his pair of donated clubs will not be accepted for the professional tournament.
To ensure that Llewellyn looked his best among the other professional players and has everything he needed to make the most of this opportunity, Gareth and non-profit organisation, Fearless Love, created a campaign on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, to appeal to the public to support this rising star.
The crowdfunding campaign was launched on 8 February 2020 and managed raised a total of R 137 452.00 towards the fundraising target of R 45 000.00 with contributions from 233 donors.
Pictured above: Llewellyn Barnes and Ilonka Esterhuyse, founder of Fearless Love.
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 raised over R270 Million.
