The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), A beacon of hope for countless individuals, is based in South Africa – its impact reaches across every province, home, and heart that has ever faced the darkness of mental illness. For over 31 years, SADAG has been the country’s leading mental health NGO, answering calls for help every day and night of the year. Through donations, and crowdfunding, BackaBuddy has partnered with SADAG , in an effort to help raise awareness around mental health and the amazing work the organisation does.
Answering the Call for Help
For SADAG, every ring of the phone represents a life – someone in crisis, reaching out as a attempt to be seen, to be heard, to be saved. Their
24-hour Suicide Crisis Helplines are often the only lifeline for thousands of South Africans who find themselves in moments of despair
As SADAG’s Development Manager, Fatima Seedat, explains, “‘Answer The Call for Help’ means more than picking up a phone – it’s about showing up for someone at the exact moment they feel invisible, hopeless, or alone.”
Every month, SADAG faces the monumental task of keeping their helplines open. Their operating costs reach R180,000, ensuring that trained counsellors can continue to provide free, compassionate support to every caller. To sustain this service, they’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, aptly titled “Answer The Call for Help”, which has already raised over R12,610 from 24 generous donors.
Each contribution, no matter how small, keeps hope alive.
As Fatima shared, “When a caller is ready to end their life, that one answered call can change everything.”
She recounts the story of a young man who phoned them one night, moments away from taking his own life. The counsellor’s gentle patience and empathy turned that moment of despair into survival – saving his life through connection, compassion, and care.
A Partnership for Hope
For BackaBuddy, partnering with SADAG is not just a collaboration – it’s a commitment to compassion. The platform, known for connecting everyday heroes with causes that matter, has joined forces with SADAG to help raise both funds and awareness for mental health.
This partnership underscores a shared mission: ensuring that no person’s cry for help goes unanswered. Together, they aim to break the silence surrounding mental health and inspire South Africans to take part in the movement – by donating, crowdfunding, or simply showing kindness.
As SADAG puts it, “Through this collaboration, every donation becomes part of something bigger: a shared effort to ensure that no cry for help goes unanswered. But it’s not only the callers who benefit — giving and extending kindness also nurtures the giver’s own mental wellbeing.”
The Healing Power of Giving
Science agrees: giving is good for your mental health. Acts of generosity – from volunteering to donating – trigger the release of endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin, often called the “happiness hormones.” These natural chemicals help reduce stress, combat anxiety, and foster a deeper sense of connection.
It’s what BackaBuddy calls “Growing Givers” – the idea that when you give, you grow. Giving to SADAG isn’t just about keeping the phone lines open; it’s also about creating ripples of kindness that heal both the receiver and the giver. As SADAG notes,
“When you help someone, you also help yourself.”
Becoming a Champion for Mental Health
Anyone, anywhere in South Africa, can become a champion for SADAG on BackaBuddy. You don’t have to be a counsellor to save lives – you can host a charity run, arrange an awareness day, and then back your efforts with a BackBuddy campaign. Every initiative contributes to a collective promise: that every call for help will be answered.
And for those who are struggling themselves, SADAG offers this reminder:
“Reach out for help if you need it, even if it’s just to say, ‘I’m not okay.’ Answering the call doesn’t always mean being on the helpline – sometimes it’s simply choosing kindness, choosing connection, choosing to care.”
A Shared Mission of Hope
In a world where so many feel unseen, this partnership between SADAG and BackaBuddy represents unity, hope, and humanity at its best, reminding South Africans that compassion is a strength – and that through giving, we not only lift others, but we lift ourselves.
Location: Remote / Cape Town preferred Level: Manco Salary: Depending on experience between R60 000 to R80 000 per month Reports to: Chief Growth Officer (Exco – Catherine Swanepoel) Start date: Q1 2026
About BackaBuddy
If you are a high-performance sales team manager who has successfully delivered in leading a distributed team of sales agents using significant integration of CRM toolkits AND you want to engage those skills for nation-wide purpose-driven impact, then you’re the right person for this position.
We are BackaBuddy. We’re the leaders in our field of crowdfunding. Our target, to be the leaders in Africa, and we’re building the team to achieve it. Every month, we enable 1,000s of people and organisations to raise the funds they need from 10,000s of people. We are looking for ‘the’ person who will operationally lead the impact sales team as we target 10x impact growth over the next 3 years.
Role Overview
The Impact Sales Operating Manager will lead the sales function implementation — build the internal team and the structures that empower an external volunteer army of fundraisers to succeed.
It is a highly operational leadership role, reporting directly to our Chief Growth Officer (CGO) at Exco level. You will work closely with the CGO to co-develop the growth strategy and take full ownership of its implementation across the department.
What makes this role unusual is that your internal team of 8–9 people will only be the core of traditional sales to fundraisers — beyond this, your job is to support, equip, and activate 1000s of external fundraisers (mostly individuals) who each act as their own dedicated sales agents for their campaigns during short, high-intensity fundraising windows.
In many ways, this structure is similar to straight commercial sales models:
Insurance agency models (central team supporting independent agents)
Real estate group models (central team supporting individual agents)
Airbnb hosts (a central platform providing toolkits to support hosts)
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Implementation and Leadership
Partner with the CGO to set and execute quarterly and annual sales/growth objectives.
Translate vision into measurable plans, OKRs, and team accountability frameworks.
Lead the sales/growth function with a focus on scalable systems and performance outcomes.
Internal Team Management and Cross-functional Alignment
Lead and align the Charities, Portfolio Management, and Campaign Success teams to deliver exceptional support for thousands of active campaign creators.
Foster collaboration across marketing, tech, and customer success to streamline campaigner experience.
Build a culture of learning through feedback loops and shared knowledge.
Equip an ‘army’ of 1,000s – develop Systems, Toolkits and Knowledge Infrastructure
Develop scalable toolkits, playbooks, templates, and automations that drive campaign success.
Design and test resources to maximise fundraising results within the key 3-week campaign window.
Reporting and Performance Management
Establish dashboards and reporting to track performance, success rates, and bottlenecks.
Deliver regular performance insights and improvement recommendations to senior leadership.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Skills and Experience
5+ years in sales operations, growth, or channel management, ideally leading distributed teams or partner networks.
Skilled in building scalable enablement systems (toolkits, playbooks, training).
Proven leader with strong KPI delivery and cross-functional collaboration.
Experience in platforms, marketplaces, or fundraising environments is a plus.
Proficient with CRM (Zoho), project management, and reporting tools.
Mindset and Attributes
Purpose-driven, empathetic, and passionate about people-powered impact.
Systems thinker who thrives on scale, structure, and rapid execution.
Blends strategic vision with hands-on leadership.
Understands that sales is storytelling — inspiring belief and action.
Why Join BackaBuddy?
This is an opportunity to help tens of thousands of campaigners raise funds for what matters most to them — while shaping the systems and team that support them. You will operate at the heart of a platform where real-world impact happens fast, and your work translates directly into lives changed.
If you have led distributed sales networks, supported gig-economy workers, or enabled communities at scale — and you want your work to matter — this role was made for you.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a cover video (with transcript) telling us why you think you’re ‘the one we need’ to [email protected].
Why We Love What We Do
“At BackaBuddy, we believe people are most powerful when we work together. That’s the heart of your role — to enable thousands of individuals and organisations to turn compassion into funds raised. You’ll create toolkits that guide, support, and advise campaign creators as they launch their fundraisers, run them effectively, and raise the funds they need for what truly matters in the world. Your work will empower everyday people to make extraordinary change”
Patrick Schofield, CEO
“We’re at a point where structure meets soul — where operational excellence unlocks human potential. If you love building systems that empower others to succeed, and you care deeply about the ‘why’ behind the work, this is where you’ll thrive.”
Catherine Du Plooy, CGO
“I’ve been at BackaBuddy for almost 9 years. It’s incredible to be a part of a company that allows you to have a positive impact on the lives of the people around you, as well as the wider world. One of the things I am most proud of at BackaBuddy, is our warm, friendly and respectful work culture, that will allow you to grow both personally and professionally.”
Zane Groenewald, Head of Campaign Marketing and Strategy
Cape Mental Health, one of South Africa’s inspiring non-profit organisations, is once again lifting spirits and raising awareness with the return of its much-loved Cape Town International Kite Festival. Now in its 31st year, the festival will take place on 25 and 26 October 2025 at the Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery, bringing together families, artists, and mental health advocates under one sky.
This year’s theme, #CourageToFly, celebrates bravery — the courage to ask for help, to speak openly about mental health, and to keep going even when life feels heavy.
A Legacy of Care and Community
Founded in 1913, Cape Mental Health has spent more than a century ensuring that mental health care is accessible to everyone, regardless of background or income. Through its network of free, community-based services, the organisation provides counselling, education, and support to thousands of children and adults across the Western Cape.
For many, the Cape Town International Kite Festival is more than just a weekend event — it’s a symbol of hope and connection. Since its humble beginnings in Muizenberg in 1994, the festival has grown into Africa’s oldest and largest kiting event, drawing local and international flyers who come to share in the message of inclusion and resilience.
“Like a kite soaring against strong winds, people living with mental health conditions inspire us all to hold on, rise above, and find strength to persevere,” says Professor Dr. Ingrid Daniels, CEO of Cape Mental Health.
Colour, Courage and Connection
After years of smaller post-pandemic gatherings, the 2025 festival will once again unfold over two full days — a return that brings excitement to loyal supporters and newcomers alike. Families can look forward to dazzling kite displays, entertainment for all ages, kite-making workshops, food stalls, and an amusement zone for children.
Beyond the main event, Cape Mental Health will continue to host their annual Community Fly in Heideveld, and the EduKite Competition for schools, ensuring children of all abilities have the opportunity to participate.
“People have such warm memories of our past festivals,” says Daniels. “They’ve been asking when the full experience would return — and this year, we’re finally back.”
While the festival fills the sky with colour and creativity, its heart remains grounded in purpose. Every ticket sold and every kite flown helps fund Cape Mental Health’s free mental health programmes.
A Campaign That Changes Lives
In the lead-up to the event, Cape Mental Health has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, aiming to raise R50,000 to support its ongoing mental health services. Donations from the public will help provide therapy, counselling, and psychosocial support to vulnerable individuals across the Western Cape — many of whom face daily challenges without access to professional care.
“Every kite that flies is a message of courage,” says Daniels. “And every donation helps us continue the work that keeps people supported, understood, and hopeful.”
South Africa faces a growing mental health crisis, with an estimated 16.5% of the population living with a mental health condition. Stigma, lack of resources, and economic hardship mean that too many still suffer in silence. Cape Mental Health’s mission — through awareness, advocacy, and community programmes — is to change that.
Hope Takes Flight
The Cape Town International Kite Festival has become a space where people can come together to heal, connect, and celebrate resilience. Behind every colourful kite is a story of strength, and behind every donation is a step toward a healthier, more compassionate society.
This October, as kites fill the sky above Cape Town, they’ll carry a message that stretches far beyond the field: that courage can rise from struggle, and that together, we can lift one another higher.
The 31st Cape Town International Kite Festival is proof that hope doesn’t just float — it flies.
Tasneem Bhula (32) from Johannesburg, Gauteng, leads one of South Africa’s most remarkable sanctuaries for girls who have endured the unimaginable. As Executive Director of Guild Cottage, a specialist residential treatment centre in Parktown West, she and her dedicated team provide more than shelter. They offer safety, therapy, and the hope of healing.
Founded over a century ago, Guild Cottage has become a beacon of compassion and resilience, supporting sexually abused girls aged six to eighteen. It’s the only centre of its kind in South Africa, where each child receives psychological care, family therapy, education, and the chance to rediscover trust and purpose.
A Legacy of Care and Courage
Guild Cottage’s roots trace back to 1907, when the Guild of Loyal Women established it to care for orphans of the Anglo-Boer War. Over the decades, the home evolved to meet the changing needs of society. By the 1980s, as awareness of child sexual abuse grew, Guild Cottage became a specialised treatment centre, pioneering trauma recovery for young survivors.
“The girls who come to us have faced unimaginable pain,” says Tasneem, “Our mission is to show them that they are not defined by their trauma, that they can rebuild their lives.”
Through environmental therapy, individual and group counselling, and life-skills development, each girl learns to reclaim her confidence. The Cottage even has a vegetable garden, where tending to plants becomes an act of calm and renewal.
“Healing is not linear,” Tasneem adds, “but every step forward, every smile, every small success, is worth celebrating.”
Healing Hearts, One Day at a Time
A day at Guild Cottage is designed to feel like home. The girls wake up, share breakfast, attend school, and receive therapy sessions. Evenings are for homework, dinner, and quiet moments of reflection. On arrival, each girl receives a teddy bear, symbolising comfort and safety, a reminder that they are not alone.
Tasneem describes the process with warmth: “We tell them: it’s not your fault, and it never was. You are not alone. You are loved.”
And for those struggling with self-harm or suicidal thoughts, Guild Cottage provides intensive support and safety planning.
“Children who have suffered abuse often carry invisible scars,” Tasneem says. “But through community, therapy, and love, healing becomes possible.”
Stories of Strength and Second Chances
Amid the challenges, there are powerful stories of transformation. One young woman, admitted in 2018, passed her matric in 2024 with three distinctions and earned a nursing bursary at Mediclinic. Two others have recently been reunited with their grandparents, flourishing in their new lives.
These are victories born of consistency, compassion, and a trauma-informed approach.
“Every meal shared, every therapy session held, that’s what your donations make possible,” explains Dr. Francesca Maraschin, a board member and campaign creator who now works as a paediatrician in London.
Francesca joined the Guild Cottage board in 2019 and recently helped launch a crowdfunding campaign to help keep its doors open.
“In the wake of COVID-19, funding for social care has dwindled,” she says. “But the need has never been greater. Without ongoing community support, we risk losing a lifeline for hundreds of girls.”
The ‘Growing Givers’ Campaign: Building a Village of Hope
On 3 March 2025, Guild Cottage NPO launched its second crowdfunding campaign through BackaBuddy; Save Guild Cottage. The campaign follows a successful effort in 2024 that raised R20,817.84 from 28 donors. This year, with 81 generous contributors, over R79,000 has been raised toward a R100,000 goal.
Funds will cover essentials like food, school fees, therapy, and maintenance, as well as training for staff who deliver trauma-informed care to the girls and families. It costs roughly R250,000 per month to sustain operations, a formidable but vital expense.
Francesca explains: “Our goal is to create a movement of ‘growing givers’, people who give not once, but regularly, ensuring that Guild Cottage can thrive long-term. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us keep hope alive.”
If the campaign surpasses its goal, extra funds will support sustainability projects such as installing solar panels, reducing running costs, and keeping the home energy-secure.
Conclusion: The Power of Community Care
The story of Guild Cottage is one of faith in humanity, of strangers uniting to protect the most vulnerable. Donations, large or small, don’t just keep the lights on; they keep dreams alive.
As Tasneem reflects, “Every girl who walks through our doors deserves safety, dignity, and a future filled with possibility. Your kindness makes that future possible.”
When South African wellness practitioner Suré Tredoux first heard about the Sunshine Centre in Walvis Bay, Namibia, she was deeply moved. The stories of children living with disabilities, their laughter, courage, and will to thrive despite immense physical challenges touched something profound in her. Suré, a long-time advocate for holistic self – healing and the co – founder of several Body Stress Release (BSR) outreach programs across Africa, knew instantly that this was a community where hope could take root in extraordinary ways.
Above – Suré Tredoux
Now, through a pilot Body Stress Release outreach set to run from 26 October to 5 November 2025, Suré and her team of three BSR practitioners are bringing gentle, non-invasive care to children who have never had access to such support. The goal: to ease their daily pain, enhance their mobility, and help them rediscover the simple joys of childhood.
A Gentle Touch that Transforms Lives
Developed in South Africa in 1981 by Ewald and Gail Meggersee, Body Stress Release is a gentle hands-on technique designed to identify and release stored tension caused by physical, emotional, or chemical stress. By helping the body and brain reconnect, BSR promotes natural self – healing, reduces pain and spasms, and improves overall well-being.
“Every child deserves to feel ease in their body and joy in their spirit,” says Suré Tredoux, Chairperson of the Body Stress Release Foundation.
“At Sunshine Centre, we’ve met children who live with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and developmental delays, conditions that make daily movement an ongoing struggle. BSR won’t cure these disabilities, but it can ease tension and bring comfort. That comfort can change everything.”
The pilot program will support 90 children, each receiving three sessions over ten days. Every R250 donation sponsors a single session, covering vital outreach expenses such as travel, accommodation, and hygiene materials. To date, R8,883.60 has been raised from 18 generous donors, bringing the campaign closer to its R50,000 goal.
For these children, each session could mean more restful sleep, less pain, and a chance to experience their world more freely.
Sunshine in Every Sense of the Word
Founded in 1996, the Sunshine Centre has long been a beacon of compassion in Walvis Bay’s Erongo region. What began in a social worker’s waiting room with five grandmothers and their grandchildren has blossomed into a vibrant community hub serving over 100 children and youth, as well as 18 adults with disabilities. Under the leadership of Ms. Wendy Huschfieldt and a dedicated team, the Centre offers education, therapy, meals, and transport and, most importantly, a place where every individual is celebrated for what they can do.
Suré describes the Centre as “a place that feels like sunshine – even on days when the Namibian coast is grey. You walk in, and you feel the love, the laughter, and the light that the children bring.”
Two of those children, Dimitri and Poppy, embody that spirit. Dimitri, who has spina bifida, faces daily physical strain but dreams of attending a mainstream school.
“With BSR,” Suré explains, “we hope to ease the tension in his body so he can move with more stability and comfort.” Poppy, a young athlete and singer, radiates joy wherever she goes.
“She’s an Olympic gold medallist in spirit,” Suré says fondly. “If we can help her body move more freely, her brilliance will shine even brighter.”
From One Visit to a Lasting Legacy
Though this is the first BSR outreach at Sunshine Centre, Suré and her team dream of making it a regular program. The long-term vision is to establish annual or bi-annual visits, train local practitioners, and eventually create a BSR bursary for someone in Walvis Bay inspired to continue this work.
“Even the smallest gift can bring real change,” Suré reminds supporters. “Your donation doesn’t just fund a project, it gives a child comfort, hope, and the chance to experience life with more ease.”
In the words of Sunshine Centre’s founding philosophy, Nothing for us without us, this collaboration represents more than therapy; it’s a partnership rooted in respect, inclusion, and shared humanity. Through passion, perseverance, and compassion, the team hopes to plant seeds of self – healing that will grow for years to come.
A Call to the Heart
As the first children in Walvis Bay prepare to experience Body Stress Release this October, the message from Suré and Gail Klinkert at the BSR Foundation is clear: every act of kindness counts. Whether through a once-off donation or a small monthly contribution, supporters are helping to rewrite what’s possible for these remarkable children.
Together, they are turning relief into resilience, and making sure the Sunshine Centre continues to live up to its name, one gentle touch at a time.
Inspired by Suré Tredoux’s uplifting mission to bring self – healing and hope to children with disabilities in Walvis Bay? You too can make a difference in your own community. Whether you’re raising funds for medical needs, education, disaster relief, sporting tours, funeral costs, or simply paying it forward to someone in need, BackaBuddy provides a trusted platform to share your story and rally support.
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.”
