South Africa – December 2024: BackaBuddy, South Africa’s leading donations-based crowdfunding platform, is spreading joy this festive season with an exciting announcement: 0% platform fees on all crowdfunding campaigns launched between 1–31 December 2024.
Pictured above: Patrick Schofield (BackaBuddy CEO), and Catherine Du Plooy (BackaBuddy CGO)
A Gift to the Community: 0% Platform Fees for December
As part of its ongoing commitment to helping people make a meaningful impact, BackaBuddy is excited to extend this offer to all campaign creators for December—giving them the opportunity to raise more funds for the causes they care about, with only third-party payment gateway fees applying.
“At BackaBuddy, we are constantly inspired by the generosity, kindness, and compassion we see across our platform, especially in the lead-up to the festive season,” says Catherine Du Plooy, Director and Chief Growth Officer at BackaBuddy. “This 0% platform fee initiative is our gift to our community—an opportunity for campaign creators to raise vital funds with fewer fees and for donors to make an even greater impact. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to come together and give back this December.”
The Impact of Giving: #GivingTuesday and Over R550 Million Raised
The announcement comes just after #GivingTuesday on 3 December, marking the official start of the giving season. Whether you’re supporting a local charity, helping a loved one in need, or funding a personal cause, there’s no better time to launch a campaign and make a difference.
“We’ve been inspired by the overwhelming acts of kindness and generosity throughout 2024. Thanks to the compassion of South Africans and our dedicated donors from around the globe, R106,930,000 was raised on BackaBuddy this year alone, with 118,000 donors supporting more than 24,500 campaigns. Since our launch in 2015, and with the incredible support of our community, over R550 million has been raised on BackaBuddy in total—a true testament to the power of community-driven giving.”
“At BackaBuddy, our mission goes beyond simply raising funds; we are dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to unite for causes that matter. This December, we aim to amplify this spirit of giving, inspiring even more people to join us in making a meaningful impact.”
Innovation and Integrity: What’s Next for BackaBuddy in 2025
In September 2023, BackaBuddy launched a 0% platform fee for charities year-round, with only third-party payment gateway fees applying. This initiative has been a crucial part of BackaBuddy’s ongoing support for charitable organisations, ensuring more funds go directly to the causes that need them.
In 2024, BackaBuddy also relaunched its website, unveiling new features that further enhance the user experience and ensure that campaign creators and donors alike can navigate the platform with ease.
“Our website revamp in March marked an exciting milestone for us as a team and as an organisation, and we are excited to continue improving and innovating, providing a seamless platform for fundraising and community connection,” says Zane Groenewald, Marketing & PR Manager at BackaBuddy. “But this is just the beginning. There is so much more to come in 2025—exciting new features that will further elevate the experience for both campaign creators and donors.”
A Season of Giving
This December, BackaBuddy invites everyone—whether you are a campaign creator or a donor—to join in unwrapping kindness, creating lasting change, and making the season of giving even more meaningful.
After the excitement of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday emerges as a powerful reminder of the season’s true spirit—generosity.
On December 3, 2024, millions of people around the world will unite to celebrate this global movement of giving.
GivingTuesdaySA Video:
This powerful global phenomenon leverages social media and collaboration to inspire individuals and non-profits to engage with their communities, fostering meaningful social change. Sne Vilakazi, the Lead for GivingTuesday South Africa, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging everyday heroes who contribute to making their communities better.
“GivingTuesday provides a remarkable opportunity to encourage and celebrate our everyday heroes who do their bit to make their communities a better place. In a time when it seems like hope is getting lost because of the challenges we face as a country, it’s refreshing and inspiring to see ordinary people raising their hands to be counted as people who contribute to making a difference.” – Sne Vilakazi, GivingTuesday South Africa Lead
Launched in 2012, GivingTuesday began as a simple idea: to create a day dedicated to doing good. Over the years, it has evolved into a global phenomenon that motivates millions to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Asha Curran, CEO, and co-founder of GivingTuesday, underscores the impact of this movement, stating that it inspires people worldwide to drive progress around causes they care about throughout the year.
“GivingTuesday inspires people all around the world to embrace their power to drive progress around the causes they care about, not just on one day but throughout the year.” – Asha Curran, GivingTuesday’s CEO, and co-founder
Image: Charity
BackaBuddy’s December Gift: 0% Platform Fees – Launch Your Campaign This Giving Season
Last year, we’ve been inspired by the 16 million rands donors made to charities which made a real difference in 2023. To celebrate this generosity, we’re offering 0% platform fees for all new campaigns launched from 1 December to 31 December 2024. With only standard third-party payment gateway fees, every rand raised will have an even greater impact.
As #GivingTuesday on 3 December 2024 kicks off the giving season, we invite you to start a fundraiser for personal, medical, community, or charitable causes and make a meaningful difference this December.
Join BackaBuddy, South Africa’s largest donations-based crowdfunding platform, in celebrating #GivingTuesdaySA. Here’s how you can participate:
Donate to a Cause: Visit www.BackaBuddy.co.za and contribute to a cause that resonates with you.
Amplify on Social Media: Share crowdfunding campaigns on BackaBuddy’s social media pages and raise awareness for a cause you are passionate about. Use the hashtags #GivingTuesdaySA or #GivingTuesdaySouthAfrica to join the conversation.
Non-Profits and Community Organizations are encouraged to register on BackaBuddy to raise funds for various needs. Benefit from BackaBuddy’s 0% platform fee for registered non-profit organizations, ensuring that more funds go directly to the causes you serve.
Create A Crowdfunding Campaign: Individuals are encouraged to create crowdfunding campaigns on #GivingTuesdaySA to support a charity they are passionate about.
GivingTuesday invites those interested in joining the movement to visit the GivingTuesday South Africa website or connect on social media via the Facebook page.
Whether you dedicate #GivingTuesday to helping a neighbour, a charity, volunteering your time, or donating funds to a good cause, every act of generosity counts!
Image: Let’s give back this #GivingTuesday
About GivingTuesday:
GivingTuesday is the global generosity movement dedicated to transforming communities and the world through radical generosity. Born in 2012, it has evolved into a global force inspiring hundreds of millions to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. GivingTuesday envisions a world where the catalytic power of generosity unlocks dignity, opportunity, and equity worldwide.
Warren Meyer (43), a devoted father and Senior Sales and Marketing Manager from Fourways, Gauteng, has left behind a legacy of generosity and love that continues to impact lives. On July 20, 2024, Warren suffered a cardiac arrest, after fighting in the ICU for 5 days, he sadly lost his life, but his selfless act of organ donation saved 9 lives, making him a true hero in life and beyond. His wife, Suzette (41), now shares his story to honour his life and raise awareness about the profound impact of organ donation while hoping to secure a future for their three daughters: Mila (12), Emily (10), and Olivia (5).
A Devoted Father and a Heroic Act
Warren was not only known for his hard work as a Senior Sales and Marketing Manager for a property development company but also for his immense love for his family. His wife, Suzette, shared, “Warren was a fantastic dad—very hands-on and a devoted husband. His family was his life.” Each of their daughters held a special place in Warren’s heart. “Our eldest excelled in drama and running, our middle daughter plays in the boys’ A soccer team, and our youngest was the apple of his eye. We were incredibly blessed to have a father and husband like Warren,” Suzette recalled fondly.
Warren’s generosity extended beyond his home, with his decision to become an organ donor rooted in his desire to give. “Warren was very generous; he would give his last R100 to someone in need and then go without.” Suzette shared. Despite the unimaginable grief of losing her husband, she is deeply moved by Warren’s final act of kindness. “Our loss was the answer to so many prayers; that is not something you get to give every day,” she reflected.
Picture above: Warren and Suzette Meyer
A Walk of Honour: Saying Goodbye to a Hero
When Warren sadly passed, the family faced a devastating reality. Suzette and their daughters spent a heart-breaking week watching Warren fight, only to have to let him go. On the day of his organ donation, staff at Life Hospital organised a solemn “walk of honour” to celebrate Warren’s bravery and compassion. Friends, family, hospital staff, and strangers lined the corridors, singing hymns as Warren made his final journey to the operating room.
“It was the most heart-breaking yet utterly beautiful thing I have ever experienced,” Suzette said. “The nurses were humming a hymn, and there were so many people lining the halls—doctors, nurses, friends, family, colleagues, strangers—all there to pay their last respects to a hero I could call my husband.”
Suzette expressed her appreciation for the hospital staff and the Organ Donor Foundation for their compassion and respect during such a difficult time. For Suzette and her daughters, this display of unity and respect helped bring a sense of peace amid their sorrow. “They treated Warren with the utmost respect right up until after the ‘harvest surgery,’ when they led me through to see him one last time and kiss him goodbye,” she shared, emphasising the compassionate care and support they received.
Honouring Warren’s Legacy and Supporting His Daughters
In the wake of this loss, Suzette has launched a crowdfunding campaign to secure a stable future for their three daughters, who are now without their father’s support. “Going from being ‘okay’ to being a single-income family is frightening and stressful,” she explained. Despite these challenges, Suzette wants to ensure her daughters have everything they need to heal and thrive.
The campaign has raised over R185,000 from 222 generous donors, with a goal of R250,000 to cover immediate and future expenses.
“What you have done by donating is give me and my girls one more day, week, and month, allowing us to heal our hearts instead of panicking about what we will do next month. Our life insurance did not pay out, so going from being “ok” to being a single income-earning family is frightening and stressful. Warren left behind three extraordinary and talented little girls. I want to make sure they have everything they need so that life does not burden them; they have already lost one of the most important people in their lives, and they do not need more stress at this young age”, Suzette expressed gratefully.
Picture above: Warren and his daughters, Mila, Emily, and Olivia.
She remains deeply moved by the support her family has received, adding, “I am eternally grateful to all the donors for their kindness. May you be blessed because you blessed someone else in their time of need.” The Meyer family’s story is a poignant reminder of the profound impact one person’s decision can have on the lives of many.
To support the Meyer family, visit their campaign here:
To register as an organ donor, visit the Organ Donation Foundation of South Africa atwww.odf.org.za or your local health department. By becoming an organ donor, you can help ensure that your legacy lives on through the lives you touch.
“How can you be unsure about saving lives? Seven to nine lives can be saved, and you can make a difference to up to 21 lives. You take nothing with you when you pass on; instead, you leave the gift behind for someone else to live,” says Suzette, offering these heartfelt words for those unsure about organ donation.
Musa, a young man known for his infectious smile and enthusiastic spirit, is no stranger to life’s difficulties. Bound to a wheelchair due to Polio, Musa is also an orphan who has never had the opportunity to attend school or experience the joy of reading and writing. He faces challenges in finding work, and on top of the daily struggles that come with navigating life on wheels, Musa finds solace and happiness in one thing that many South Africans hold dear, rugby.
As a dedicated member of a wheelchair rugby team in Mandeville, Musa plays under the guidance of his coach, Ilan Guest. Ilan has coached the team for many years and has a personal understanding of Musa’s plight, as his own brother is also wheelchair-bound. According to Susan Schaum, “He is a selfless and generous individual,” she said of Ilan.
Ilan further explains the extraordinary effort Musa puts into getting to practise each week, saying that despite his many challenges, he pushes himself to make the 10km round trip on busy roads to attend. Missing practice is a rare occurrence for Musa, even though his wheelchair was on the brink of collapse. “The frame is cracked. No welding can salvage it. At some stage, it will collapse with him in it, heaven forbid on a busy road and far from help,” Ilan said.
Determined to lighten Musa’s load, Ilan initiated a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to provide him with “the best chair he has ever had.” And the response from South Africans has been nothing short of astounding. In just two days, the campaign was fully funded, raising R30,000, and it didn’t stop there. The campaign had surpassed its goal, reaching an impressive R46,150, thanks to the generosity of 81 donors!
This means that not only will Musa get a new wheelchair, but he will also receive additional support for adult-based learning and essentials like shoes, a backpack, axles, and tyres.
The way South Africans rallied behind Musa’s campaign is a remarkable testament to the spirit of community and generosity that thrives in this country. It’s a victory that can stand proudly alongside any Springbok triumph-a reminder that when we come together, we can truly change lives.
Tom London, a well-known talk show host and activist from Johannesburg, recently found himself facing a life-threatening health crisis that took him from the wards of Helen Joseph Hospital to the screens of social media. His ordeal not only ignited a critical conversation about the state of South Africa’s public healthcare system but also revealed the incredible power of collective support.
Tom’s health crisis began with a simple chest cold, which escalated into a severe case of pneumonia and pleural effusion. He was admitted to Helen Joseph Hospital, where he experienced firsthand the challenges of the public healthcare system. Documenting his ordeal from his hospital bed, Tom shared raw and emotional videos on social media, expressing his frustration with the neglect and inadequate care he witnessed. “Doctors here, you are giving doctors in South Africa a bad name. I am so angry with you. This is the Helen Joseph Circus Hospital, where doctors experiment on you,” Tom said in one of his viral videos.
His candid accounts of the harsh realities inside the hospital, including the heartbreaking experience of witnessing a fellow patient pass away without immediate assistance, resonated with thousands of South Africans. Many shared similar stories of their own experiences within the public healthcare system, calling attention to the urgent need for reform.
Amidst the distress, something remarkable unfolded as South Africans from all walks of life united in support of Tom after a concerned South African, Alistair Jameson, took the initiative to launch a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign, closely following Tom’s journey, to raise the R300,000 required for his life-saving thoracic surgery. In an extraordinary display of solidarity, the goal was surpassed within days, with donations flowing in from across the country and beyond. Thanks to the generosity of 561 donors, Tom successfully raised R368,000, ensuring his surgery would proceed. BackaBuddy paid the funds directly to Morningside Hospital on the afternoon of Monday, September 16, 2024.
Within hours of sharing his urgent need for medical attention at a private hospital, donations began pouring in. “Thank you for everything today. You saved my life,” Tom expressed in gratitude after securing enough funds to transfer to a facility where he could receive the critical care he so desperately needed.
The surgery, discounted to R275,000, leaves the remaining funds to support Tom’s ongoing care and recovery. BackaBuddy CEO, Patrick Schofield, reflects on the overwhelming support, stating, “We’re just glad that we’ve been able to provide a platform for this immense community of people who’ve supported Tom. It speaks volumes about the love and respect people have for him. Our part was to ensure that support reached the hospital as quickly as possible so he could have the operation and focus on getting better.”.
While Tom’s battle with illness was deeply personal, his story sparked a broader movement, reigniting calls for change within the public healthcare system. His viral videos shone a spotlight on the shortcomings of the system, but they also underscored the strength of community when people unite for a common cause.
As Tom continues his recovery, his story remains a symbol of hope and a call for change. It highlights not only the challenges within the public healthcare system but also the profound compassion and generosity that defines South Africa.
Gift Zingora, a dedicated and passionate gardener, has achieved a monumental milestone. After two years of persistent saving and remarkable community support, Gift now proudly owns a fully-fledged garden service business. This accomplishment is not only a personal triumph for Gift but also a cause for celebration across the Bryanston community.
Gift’s inspiring journey began in November 2022 when he first garnered the attention of the Bryanston residents. Demonstrating unwavering commitment, Gift ingeniously converted his bicycle into a mobile gardening toolkit, tirelessly cycling between clients’ gardens. It was during this period that local resident Grant Zoghby noticed Gift’s dedication and struck up a conversation with him about his work. Deeply moved by Gift’s story and aspirations, Grant initiated a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign to help Gift realise his dream of expanding his garden service.
Back in 2022, Gift’s daily workload was limited to a single garden due to the constraints of cycling between clients. His vision was to extend his services to two or three gardens a day, which necessitated the acquisition of a bakkie and a team. With the help of Grant and another resident, Bridget Nortje, fundraising efforts through BackaBuddy raised enough money to provide Gift with essential safety gear, a cell phone, and some additional supplies, while the rest of the funds were saved for purchasing a bakkie.
Pictured above: (Left) Gift Zingora with his mobile gardening tool kit, (Right) Gift with Grant Zoghby and Bridget Nortje
“I’m sure many of you will remember the story of Gift, who Grant Zoghby and I met a few years back. He is a wonderful gardener who works 7 days a week and has made his own makeshift “bakkie” with his bicycle to transport his gardening goods to his workplaces and back home.” – Bridget Nortje
“The story grew and the reach was further than we could ever have imagined. Many of you contributed to a BackaBuddy fund and we managed to do repairs to his bike, supply proper lights, shoes, a helmet and safety equipment as well as buy a cellphone for Gift to communicate with clients. Gift’s ultimate goal and dream was to one day own a bakkie of his own to do his gardening work and transport his equipment to and from his home to his employers’ homes. With the money raised, this goal still seemed very out of reach. We explained to Gift that we would need to keep saving and help him get a driver’s licence for him to own this vehicle.” Bridget told Good Things Guy
Thanks to years of perseverance, diligent saving, and the generosity of the Bryanston community, Gift’s dream has finally come to fruition. Today, he proudly owns a bakkie, ready to elevate his business to new heights.
Image: Charity
Image: Let’s give back this #GivingTuesday
Pictured above: (Left) Gift Zingora with his mobile gardening tool kit, (Right) Gift with Grant Zoghby and Bridget Nortje