Freedom Day marks a turning point in South Africa’s history, the day our nation chose unity over division, hope over fear, and democracy over oppression. It’s a day to honour the brave individuals who fought for justice, equality, and the right for every South African to live freely.
But true freedom isn’t just something we remember once a year. It’s something we build, protect, and pass on through our everyday actions.
This Freedom Day, we’re reminded that the best way to honour the sacrifices of the past is by giving back in the present.
And what better way to do that than by starting a fundraising campaign on BackaBuddy?
Whether you’re passionate about helping a family in crisis, supporting a local school, raising funds for someone’s medical treatment, or driving change in your community, your voice, your story, and your heart can make a real difference.
By creating a campaign on BackaBuddy, you can:
Help someone in need
Celebrate a cause close to your heart
Mobilise your community for good
Inspire others to step up and give back
Freedom is not just about the right to vote, it’s about the power to uplift. It’s about turning empathy into action, and hope into something tangible.
This Freedom Day, don’t just remember the past. Shape the future.
Chief Marketing Officer – Where Mission Meets Metrics
Position Objective:
Location: Cape Town or Johannesburg – Remote, but able to meet/engage with clients (South Africa-based) Sector: Crowdfunding | Social Impact | Performance Marketing Type: Full-time Salary: R50 000 – R70 000 (dependent on experience)
BackaBuddy is South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform for personal and charitable causes. Every day, we help people raise funds for what matters most — and just as importantly, we help donors see the difference they’ve made.
We believe in the power of stories backed by results. That impact isn’t just something you support — it’s something you can see, measure, and grow. That’s where you come in.
We’re looking for a Chief Marketing Officer who’s driven by purpose but obsessed with performance. Someone who can turn heart-warming outcomes into funded impact — and build the systems that prove that impact at scale.
Your Mission: Build a Growth Engine Fuelled by Proof of Impact
As Chief Marketing Officer, your core responsibility is to broaden BackaBuddy’s brand as the most trusted, successful, and transparent crowdfunding platform in South Africa and beyond.
You’ll lead a multidisciplinary team that transforms campaign milestones into powerful content — ensuring every donor receives clear, timely, and emotive proof of the change they helped create. And by doing that, you’ll convert once-off donors into recurring contributors to social good.
What You’ll Be Driving
Donor engagement systems that ensure every donor receives WhatsApp/email updates showing the real-world impact of their contribution
A content strategy built on campaign success — stories that move people, build trust, and drive repeat giving
Brand visibility and recognition, ensuring BackaBuddy becomes the platform of choice for both fundraising and giving
A data-driven marketing funnel that delivers measurable ROI through traffic, conversions, and brand engagement
You’ll Thrive in This Role If You:
Are a performance-driven marketing leader with a track record of building systems that scale
Know how to translate impact into engagement — turning stories into conversions
Live and breathe metrics like donor retention, user acquisition, CTRs, and engagement rates
Are comfortable building cross-functional teams and collaborating with operations, product, and support to deliver a seamless donor experience
Understand that impact is the outcome — but performance is the path to get there
Have 10+ years in marketing or related experience, with at least 5 years in team leadership
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
% of donors receiving meaningful campaign updates
Growth in recurring donors and donor lifetime value
Increases in platform traffic and successful fundraising campaigns
Growth in brand visibility and media mentions across South Africa
What We Offer:
A fast-moving, purpose-driven team
The opportunity to lead marketing for one of SA’s most impactful platforms
Creative freedom backed by performance accountability
A culture of transparency, collaboration, and continuous growth
To apply:
Send your CV / LinkedIn profile, a brief cover letter, portfolio with your best work, and your best GPT conversation (prompt + output — the one that made you pause) to [email protected]
NB: Thank you for taking the time to submit your application. Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted further.
Willemina “Mina” Solomons, a 40-year-old woman from Smutsville in Sedgefield along the Garden Route, is the heart behind a powerful story of compassion, community, and resilience. What began as a single act of kindness on Easter Sunday 2024 has since grown into a heartfelt movement that now feeds about 500 children every Saturday, thanks to Mina’s unwavering dedication and the support of her community.
Willemina, known lovingly by everyone as “Mina,” is more than a housekeeper. She’s a mother of three, a trained cook, and a woman with a heart big enough to feed a village, literally. After losing her job in a local restaurant during COVID-19, Mina turned to cleaning to support her family. That’s how she met Shulka (31) and Keshav Mohabir (34), a couple who had moved to Sedgefield and were building their SME development firm, Curious Cat Creative.
Pictured above:Willemina “Mina” Solomons and the ladies of Mina’s Kitchen
“We hired Mina as our housekeeper, but it was clear from day one that she was so much more,” Shulka recalls. “One day, I asked her what she really loved doing, and without missing a beat she said that she loved cooking for people. That’s her spark.”
Recognizing her talent and passion, Shulka and Keshav asked Mina to start preparing meals for them during the week. It wasn’t long before an idea began to take shape. Wanting to give back to their community, the trio decided to sponsor a meal for 100 children in Smutsville. On Easter Sunday 2024, Mina rallied a small team of local women and served up braai chicken, potato salad, savoury rice, and malva pudding. The impact was immediate and profound.
“The kids were over the moon,” says Keshav. “But it wasn’t just them. The women who helped cook felt something too, that they were doing something meaningful. That day changed everything.”
Now, every Saturday, Mina leads a team of 6 to 10 women—many of whom are family and friends with little to no stable income—to cook for 500 children in the community. The initiative, dubbed Mina’s Kitchen, has become a cornerstone of Smutsville, bringing food, hope, and dignity to those who need it most.
Pictured above: The ladies of Mina’s Kitchen handing out food to the children
A Family Effort Rooted in Community
Mina’s team is a beautiful blend of generations. Her mother often helps in the kitchen, while two older aunties entertain the children with stories and laughter as they wait for their meals. Mina’s cousins and friends assist with prepping and cooking, often working through the night. Each woman earns R500 per feeding, a fair wage that many say has been life-changing.
“Some of these ladies were only managing one day of cleaning work a week,” explains Shulka. “This has not only given them income but a sense of pride and belonging. It’s amazing to witness.”
What’s even more heartening is how the children have responded. Initially shy and uncertain, many would take their food and run. But as Mina and her team continued showing up, rain or shine, the kids began to smile, to linger, to trust.
“They now see us as part of their Saturday,” says Mina. “They know we’ll be there. That consistency means everything.”
The ripple effects of Mina’s Kitchen are already being felt. Some older children have started picking up litter around the streets while waiting for their meals, an initiative that grew naturally from their desire to give back. The feeding scheme has inspired conversations around community care, job creation, and the importance of dignity in service.
Though support from local businesses is still limited, Greefs Butchery has stepped up as a consistent partner, supplying meat at discounted prices to stretch the budget. Mina’s Kitchen is currently in the process of registering as a nonprofit, which will allow them to offer tax incentives to potential sponsors and expand their impact.
Dreams of a Permanent Kitchen
Their bigger dream? A professional kitchen in Sedgefield, equipped with ovens, prep stations, freezers, and storage, to serve as both a base for Mina’s Kitchen and a production hub for frozen meals, including pet food, that can be sold to support the project. This kitchen would also provide more weekday work for the women and eliminate the logistical strain of hauling equipment every week.
To sustain and grow this initiative, the Mohabirs and Mina are aiming to raise R500,000 through their BackaBuddy campaign. These funds will cover six months of Saturday feedings for 500 children, but that’s only the beginning. So far, they have raised R15,500 with the help of 8 incredible donors, laying a strong foundation for what they hope will become a lasting legacy of hope and nourishment.
Pictured above: The ladies of Mina’s Kitchen
“There’s so much more we could do with the right tools,” says Keshav. “We need a reliable vehicle, industrial ovens, training courses for the women, and proper storage. This isn’t just about feeding kids, it’s about creating jobs, empowering women, and building a better community from the inside out.”
For Mina, this journey is deeply personal. She’s no longer just working to support her family, she’s leading a movement that feeds and nurtures children.
For Shulka and Keshav, Mina’s Kitchen has become their heart work. “We came here for a fresh start,” says Shulka, “but we found something we didn’t even know we were looking for, a deeper purpose, a connection to something bigger than ourselves.”
April 11th marks World Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Day, a moment to unite in solidarity, educate the public, and highlight the voices of individuals and families navigating life with this complex neurological condition.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It develops gradually, often beginning with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand, and can eventually impact speech, mobility, and daily function. But more than its visible symptoms, Parkinson’s often brings invisible battles with mental health, fatigue, and emotional well-being.
In South Africa, thousands of individuals live with Parkinson’s Disease, and yet, awareness remains limited. Many people go undiagnosed or face delays in receiving proper care due to lack of information, financial constraints, and limited access to neurological specialists, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Living with Parkinson’s in South Africa requires navigating unique challenges. Access to neurologists, medication, and therapy can be limited outside major cities. Many caregivers also lack support and information.
But there is hope!
Local support networks, online forums, and awareness campaigns are empowering individuals to speak up, seek help, and break the silence around the condition. Initiatives that promote exercise, mental health support, and community care are helping people with Parkinson’s live full, meaningful lives.
How You Can Help
Whether you know someone affected by Parkinson’s or simply want to be part of the solution, here’s how you can make a difference:
Learn and Share: Use your voice and social media to spread awareness this Parkinson’s Day.
Support Local Organisations: Donate or volunteer with Parkinson’s ZA or similar groups.
Be Kind and Patient: Offer compassion to those living with Parkinson’s, it goes a long way.
Start a Campaign on BackaBuddy
This Parkinson’s Awareness Day, consider launching a crowdfunding campaign onBackaBuddy to support someone living with Parkinson’s or raise funds for vital services like therapy, transport to treatment, or medication.
Whether you’re a caregiver, friend, family member, or advocate, creating a campaign is simple, and every donation can help someone live with more dignity, comfort, and hope.
Facebook Groups: Search for “Parkinson’s Support South Africa” to join active online communities.
Therapeutic Services: Consider physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, all of which can greatly improve quality of life.
Parkinson’s Disease may be a lifelong diagnosis, but with early intervention, support, and awareness, people can thrive and find strength in community. Let’s commit to building a more inclusive South Africa, one where no person living with Parkinson’s walks alone.
In a world where generosity is often met with recognition, anonymous donors are the quiet champions of countless causes. Their contributions shaping lives and changing futures without ever expecting a thank you in return.
At BackaBuddy, we have witnessed firsthand the profound impact of these unsung heroes. Time and again, anonymous donations, sometimes modest, sometimes staggeringly generous, have provided relief to struggling families, life-saving medical care to those in need, and opportunities to individuals who never dared to dream. These silent acts of kindness are a testament to the belief that true generosity is not about recognition, but about making a difference.
Anonymity in giving is a rare and beautiful thing. It is the purest form of altruism, a quiet acknowledgment that the act of helping others is its own reward. It speaks to a level of selflessness that transcends personal gain, focusing solely on the needs of those who benefit. The choice to give without expectation reflects a deep, unwavering belief in humanity, a belief that kindness, even in its most unseen form, has the power to change lives.
For the parents who can now afford their child’s critical surgery, for the students whose education is no longer a distant dream, for the individuals who find hope in their darkest moments, you are their miracle. Your generosity is a reminder that even in an often chaotic world, there is still goodness, compassion, and a willingness to lift others up without fanfare.
To the anonymous donors who choose to give without the need for acknowledgment, we see you. Though your name may never be known, your kindness is felt in the hearts of every beneficiary, in every tear wiped away, in every dream made possible. Your generosity reminds us that humanity thrives not in grand gestures alone, but in quiet, selfless acts of goodwill.
Thank you for being the invisible thread that holds communities together, for believing in the power of giving, and for proving that real impact does not need a name attached to it. You are the reason so many can look forward to a brighter tomorrow.
From all of us at BackaBuddy, and from every life you’ve touched, thank you.
Three-month-old Adam du Toit, from Cape Town, is a brave little warrior facing a challenge that no child should have to endure. Born with a severe form of bilateral club foot, Adam’s ability to walk, run, and play like other children has been hindered by pain and difficulty. However, there is hope, with surgery, specialized boots, and ongoing therapy, he can have the chance to be able to walk without discomfort and embrace a future full of possibility.
Adam’s journey has been anything but easy. He currently undergoes weekly cast changes, a process that is both physically and emotionally challenging. “We have to remove the casts ourselves, which isn’t an easy process for him or us. To do the casting correctly, he has to be held down while his feet are bent into the right position and firmly strapped. It is heartbreaking to watch,” shares his mother, Sally du Toit (41). The heavy casts chafe his chubby little thighs, and he also struggles with stomach issues due to his limited mobility.
Pictured above: Baby Adam du Toit smiling in his sleep
Unfortunately, an unexpected hurdle has made this journey even harder. The family’s medical aid has declined coverage for the essential procedure he needs, and the specialist best suited to treat him, one of only two in the entire Western Cape, is not covered by their plan. The cost of Adam’s surgery, corrective boots, physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and necessary household adjustments for his comfort over the next few years is a significant challenge for his parents, Sally and Clive du Toit (44).
The surgery Adam needs is crucial, as it involves severing a tendon to lengthen his heel and prevent him from walking on his toes in the future, which would cause terrible pain. “The surgery will help prevent this and is crucial for the process,” explains Clive.
Pictured above: Adam being comforted by his older brother, Caleb, after a casting
Post-surgery, Adam will require a Ponseti brace and Dobbs bar with Mitchell boots, which are highly specialized and costly equipment. As he grows, he may need up to ten pairs of boots in different sizes. “If we adhere to 23 hours a day of wearing the boots, it will lessen the likelihood of a relapse, but there’s still a small chance he may need additional surgeries. He will also need physiotherapy to strengthen his feet and prevent any relapses,” his parents explain. “Without this ongoing care, the condition could impact his knees, hips, and spine.”
To help cover the costs of Adam’s treatment, his family has created a BackaBuddy campaign, where they have already raised over R40 000 of their R50 000 goal with the support of 32 incredible donors. Their gratitude for the kindness and generosity shown so far is immeasurable.
Adam’s parents are doing everything they can to ensure he has the best possible future. “It’s a long process, so we are just trying to take each day as it comes. Every parent will agree it is the worst thing in the world to feel helpless and to see your child in such terrible discomfort, and even pain some days, but we know it is for the greater good,” they share.
Pictured above: Adam’s cast starting to chaff right after casting
As parents, their greatest wish is to see Adam walk, run, and play like any other child, but they can’t do it alone. “Your support can help make his journey easier. Every donation goes directly toward his treatment and makes this journey as comfortable and pain-free as possible. It is not just financial support, it’s a gift of hope, healing, and a brighter future for our little boy, Adam. The donations thus far have lifted a huge weight off our shoulders, and we are deeply touched by your compassion. This journey hasn’t been easy, but knowing we have people like you standing with us makes all the difference. We will forever be grateful for your kindness,” they explain.
Despite everything, Adam remains a beacon of joy. “Once Adam started smiling, he never stopped. He has gone through so much and still has this beautiful sparkle in his eyes. He really is my hero,” says Sally.
