Pretoria, South Africa (19 September 2025) – When 19-year-old Arthur Mathebula from Pretoria West, Gauteng, launched a BackaBuddy campaign on 15 September to attend his Matric Dance, he asked for just R2,500 to cover his ticket, outfit, and a few expenses. What followed became a story of generosity that captured the hearts of thousands of South Africans.
Now, Arthur has shared his first update — and the impact goes far beyond the dance floor.
From R0 to R19,000 in Days
Arthur’s campaign began quietly, with few donations at first. But everything changed when x-user Paballo Maseko came across his appeal and decided to share it with her followers. Her post encouraged South Africans to step in, and within hours, Arthur’s modest goal was met and exceeded.
Donations poured in, ranging from R20 and R50 to larger contributions of R500 and R1,000. By 19 September, 162 donors had given more than R19,000, ensuring Arthur could attend his Matric Dance, while giving him so much more.
Supporters left heartfelt words alongside their donations, including:
“I don’t have much but I hope this helps. All the best boyza.
“Enjoy the dance. Try to save some money for future endeavours. Remember, the world is full of kind people.”
“For iMcFlurry after matric dance.”
Arthur’s First Update
In his first campaign update, Arthur expressed his deep gratitude:
“I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible support I’ve received through BackaBuddy. When I started this campaign, I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but thanks to the kindness of so many generous people, I was able to raise over R10,000. This has given me the boost I needed to pay my school fees and continue my studies at Hoërskool Pretoria-Wes.”
Beyond his school fees, Arthur says the support also made it possible for him to attend his Matric Dance alongside his classmates.
“Being able to celebrate this moment with my classmates is something I never imagined would happen, and it’s all thanks to you.”
More Than Just a Dance
For Arthur, the campaign has brought more than financial relief — it has given him renewed hope for the future.
“Before this, I often felt stuck and unsure if I would ever make it, but your generosity has reminded me that I am not alone,” he shared. “Each donation, no matter the size, has changed my life in ways words can hardly express. I will carry this kindness with me and hopefully pay it forward one day.”
His story is a reminder of how powerful we are when we stand together. A single share inspired hundreds of people to rally behind Arthur and united they made a tangible difference in his life.
In July and August 2025, Nikita Van Rensburg (32) and her brother, Ricki Van Rensburg (38) rallied support for the Gatjie settlement (Cape Town) with a winter shoe drive and a follow-on crowdfunding initiative that is already changing daily life. The first drive launched on 17 July 2025, raising R21,500 and—together with sponsors—turning a hired hall into a day of dignity with hot meals and brand-new sneakers for children who’d been walking barefoot through winter mud. On 18 August 2025, she launched a second recurring donations campaign that has raised R22,500 so far toward a R200,000 goal to keep food on the table and repair leaking shacks. In total, 18 donors have given across both campaigns, including two anonymous R10,000 donations in the first three days, and many more partners have contributed goods, time, and heart. A surprise video call from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi on the day of the shoe drive also became a powerful spark for courage and belonging for the community of Gatjie.
A legacy of love, carried forward
“In 2018, my mom started handing out hot meals on a field in Diep River,” Nikita says. “She built deep relationships with the Gatjie community—hosting Christmas parties and fundraising for school supplies. She loved them, and they loved her back.”
When their mom passed away from a brain tumor, Nikita and Ricki promised to carry that legacy forward. The promise quickly turned into action: before a recent storm, they replaced roofs on a handful of shacks using their own funds.
“One elderly husband stepped inside to see the dry floor and collapsed, sobbing with relief. I’ll never forget that,” she recalls.
That moment—simple, human, unforgettable—captures the heartbeat of the campaign: practical love that keeps families warm, dry, and fed. It’s also why gestures like Siya Kolisi’s call matter so much—seeing a national captain show up for Gatjie tells every child their story is worth showing up for, too.
The August shoe drive answered an urgent need. Through a contact at Adidas, more than 80 pairs of brand-new sneakers arrived. New Balance added R10,000 and three pairs of socks per person—hundreds of pairs—so feet would stay warm and dry on muddy footpaths. With the funds raised online and meals donated locally, the team fitted little feet, served steaming plates, and reminded families that they are seen. All content and photographs from the shoe-drive event were captured and donated pro bono by Cape Town creative Ramon Mellett (Instagram: @ramonmellett).
“Some kids cried with happiness,” Nikita says. “One boy keeps his shoes in the box after school, so they stay nice.”
From shoes to shelter and supper
Shoes were the start, not the finish line. Cape Town’s winter rains turn thin, rusted roofs into sieves; mattresses, blankets, and clothing stay wet for days.
“We’ve made a priority list of homes needing repairs,” Nikita explains. “It costs about R2,500 to replace a roof, and some homes just need patchwork.”
Food is another urgent need. When storms close soup kitchens, children go to bed hungry.
“I’ll never forget a 3-year-old dipping her lollipop in water and saying it made her feel more full—because that day, they could only afford the lollipop.”
The plan now is year-round: provide meals, fix roofs, and host regular kids’ days filled with play, learning, and love—safe spaces where children can simply be children. The funds raised will go directly to food, clothing and blankets, and the materials and labour needed to repair shacks so families can sleep without fear that the roof will collapse.
Women’s Month, dignity and dreams
This Women’s Month, the work took on special meaning. On the day of the shoe handout, the children received a surprise video call from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. He spoke courage into a young boy who’d been bullied; that night the child told his mom he was going to dream about meeting his hero. Even one of the bully’s moms came forward to apologise afterwards.
“The kids kept asking why Siya would speak to them,” Nikita says. “They need to know they matter—that where they come from isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
Girls also left with more than footwear. The Cora Project joined to run a pad drive and a powerful conversation about periods, confidence, and choice. They offered discreet bags for carrying pads—yet several girls chose to walk out holding their pads in hand, proudly. For Nikita, moments like these echo her mother’s heart: show up, feed people, and restore dignity.
Why this campaign matters now Gatjie is a small settlement with big hearts—and daily hurdles. Without sturdy shoes, children slog through sand and mud just to reach communal toilets; without intact roofs, families take turns sleeping for fear of collapse. Hunger makes it hard to learn; lacking basics erodes confidence. And yet the resilience is unmistakable.
“You can show up with nothing but yourself,” Nikita says, “and the kids will run to you for hugs.” Her long-term hope is clear: “I want to see at least one child from Gatjie grow up, leave the settlement, and be able to support their family. We can get there with nutrition, school supplies, sport, and connection.”
How you can help Every contribution stretches far: R2,500 can put a dry roof over a family; any amount helps fund weekly meals, clothing and blanket drops, and the next kids’ day. Corporate partners can donate shoes, socks, roofing materials, or food. Volunteers can cook, deliver, mentor—or simply show up. To connect about goods or time, reach Nikita on Instagram at @triggrGood. If you want to give right now, both campaign pages are live: the winter shoe drive here:https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/winter-shoe-drive-for-the-gatjie-kids and the ongoing support drive here:https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/helping-the-gatjie-community-together.
In just weeks, these efforts have raised R31,500 in cash—plus generous in-kind donations—and built a blueprint for hope that is practical, personal, and profoundly local. It looks like a dry mattress, a warm bowl of food, a pair of laces tied tight—and a child who believes tomorrow can be better than today.
If you’ve ever wondered what Ubuntu means—this is it. And this initiative is calling on the African spirit, and you, to climb on board and get involved.
Brandon Amronski, 62, is many things: a talented artist and photographer, a self-taught chef, a skilled potter, a gentle musician, a creative spirit, and above all — a loving dad. For the last few years, he’s poured everything he has into one dream: building a home of his own in Kommetjie, Cape Town.
With no contractor and no big budget, Brandon has been building his house — quite literally — with his own two hands. Brick by brick, alongside two faithful workers, he’s created a structure filled with hope, resilience, and heart. The project has taken over five years to materialise, as he first had to battle years of red tape just to gain approval to start construction. One year ago, he finally laid the first brick.
Brandon’s daughter, Luna, now 16, is the heart behind the BackaBuddy campaign trying to help him finish it. “I’m reaching out with a full heart and a shared dream — to help my beloved dad, Brandon, to finally finish the home he’s been building with his own two hands,” she says.
Brandon’s journey hasn’t been easy. At just 19, he fought in the war in Angola — an experience that left deep emotional scars compounded by his work as a press photographer from 1989-1998/9. More recently, he’s battled depression and PTSD while trying to recover from the devastating financial impact of COVID-19, which cost him much of his work and stability. Since then, he hasn’t been able to regain stable employment. The house became his anchor — a personal mission to create something lasting.
“This house means everything to him,” Luna shares. “It represents a place of safety, dignity, and a space where I can visit and sleep over — something we haven’t been able to do in years.”
Brandon currently lives in a small, one-bedroom cottage with no space for guests or family. His older daughter, who now lives in the Netherlands, has helped support him financially, but the budget has run out — and the house remains just shy of completion.
As Brandon’s 62nd birthday approaches on 25 July 2025, Luna hopes to give him the one thing he’s longed for: a finished home.
Instead of traditional birthday presents, Luna has set up a BackaBuddy campaign, inviting friends, family, and strangers alike to contribute toward specific costs still needed to complete the home:
R2,200 – Garage Door
R2,000 – Bathroom Tiling
R2,500 – One Week of Labour Support
R18,000 – Electrical Finishing
R20,000 – Geyser Installation
“Every bit helps,” Luna says. “This is more than a house — it’s a chance for him to feel proud again, to have his space, and maybe even find the motivation to re-enter the world.”
With R10,478 already raised toward their R59,000 goal, the dream is within reach.
To support Brandon’s dream and help him move into his home at last, visit the campaign here:
Mandela Day, held on July 18th each year, encourages individuals to spend 67 minutes doing something positive in their communities. This initiative honours Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of public service, calling on all of us to do our part—whether it’s planting trees, donating blood, feeding the hungry, or supporting a meaningful cause.
In the spirit of Mandela Day 2025, we’d like to share a few heartfelt initiatives hosted on the BackaBuddy crowdfunding platform. Supporting these campaigns is a great way to do your bit this Mandela Day.
From placing senior dachshunds with elderly companions to running 67 kilometres for mental health awareness or feeding hungry children over the weekend, each initiative contributes to real change.
Save a Frosty Face for Mandela Day 2025
Cape Dachshund Rescue (CDR) is raising R40,000 this Mandela Day to cover one month of veterinary bills for 92 senior dachshunds in its care. Operating across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Southern Cape, the organisation runs a Frosty Face Foster programme, which matches elderly dachshunds with people between the ages of 60 and 80. Adoption fees are waived, and vet costs are fully covered, allowing for lifelong companionship without financial burden.
Each donation—especially in multiples of R67—helps ensure these senior pets continue to receive the care and love they deserve.
In Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, the team at Trulife is calling on the public to walk, run, or cycle 67 kilometres in July as part of the “We See You” Mandela Day Challenge. Their goal is to raise R6,700 per team to fund workshops and programmes that support learners navigating trauma, often without the tools or recognition they need.
So far, over R1,900 has been raised. Additional support will help expand Trulife’s reach, allowing them to provide critical life skills and mental health education across South Africa.
In the informal settlement of Promiseland in Palmridge, Gauteng, 47-year-old cleaner Nonkululeko “Nonny” Mda spends her weekends feeding up to 100 hungry children through her grassroots initiative, Ikhaya Lethu (Our Home). She started this mission in 2018 after witnessing the hardship children face when school meals aren’t available on weekends.
“Weekends are the hardest for children who rely on school meals. I can’t sit back and do nothing,” says Nonny. “I use my own income and rely on donations, even if it means I go without.”
Her campaign has already raised over R25,000 of its R60,000 goal, but continued support is essential to keep these children nourished every weekend.
In Bellville in the Western Cape, a team of MBA students from Stellenbosch University has launched a campaign in partnership with Goldilocks and the Bear, a nonprofit that provides free mental health screenings and early intervention for children in underserved areas.
“R670 covers the full journey for one child—screening, counselling, and referrals,” the students explain. “Mental health support should never be a luxury.”
Their goal is to raise R67,000 this Mandela Day so that more children can access the mental health care they need to thrive.
Have a cause close to your heart? You can start your own Mandela Day campaign on BackaBuddy and turn your passion into impact. Whether it’s a local clean-up, school supply drive, or a bigger community project, your 67 minutes can ripple far beyond the day itself.
In the heart of Kensington, Cape Town, a single mother’s determination and an unshakable dream are the forces behind a campaign that BackaBuddy holds close. Nicole Nicci Arrison, a Systems analyst, BackaBuddy team member, side-hustling snack box queen, social media boff and hands-on mom (Yes, we also started sweating), has set her heart on giving her daughter a sixteenth birthday gift rooted in love, culture, and family: a trip to Sicily.
Nicci doesn’t just juggle life — she flips it, spins it, and somehow makes it look effortless. She’s the kind of mom who you’d think has superpowers with the amount she juggles. And when she sets her heart on something — like tracing her family’s Sicilian roots with her daughter, Qiran — nothing is going to stand in her way. The two share an incredibly close bond, rooted in deep trust and mutual respect.
“There’s a mutual respect between us, and we’ve created a space where she can speak openly and trust that she’ll be heard without judgment. We’ve always been a team,” says Nicci. “Some of our most treasured moments are our daily car rides — that’s our 20-minute pocket of uninterrupted connection, full of deep chats or bursts of laughter.”
Qiran, now approaching sixteen, has always shown remarkable emotional maturity. Nicci recalls a moment she’ll never forget: after her father passed away, young Qiran wrapped her arms around her mom, held her quietly, and then softly said, “It’s going to be okay.”
“She has this quiet emotional intelligence that’s always been there. She makes me proud daily, in ways big and small,” Nicci says.
Another memory that speaks volumes: Even though Qiran’s team had just lost a sports match, she ran straight to the teacher of the winning team and gave her a hug to congratulate her.
“That’s just who she is — gracious, thoughtful, and humble. “Says Nicci
A Journey of Heritage and Heart
Family is everything to Nicci — and those roots run deep. At the centre is her grandmother, Ma Joyce, Qiran’s great-grandmother and the family matriarch, known for her legendary lasagna and unforgettable stories.
She’s the one who passed down not just a legendary lasagna recipe, but a legacy of culture, connection, and Sicilian heritage.
“My grandmother, Ma Joyce, is Qiran’s great-grandmother and the heart of our family. Her maiden name is Gamba, and she’s passed down both our lasagna recipe and two very different origin stories.
The more believable version is that the Gambas came to South Africa as missionaries — a legacy that lives on in our family today, with one of my uncles serving as an Anglican priest. But when she’s feeling playfully annoyed with us, Ma Joyce will claim that ‘Gamba’ is short for Gambino — and we can’t help but laugh. We don’t quite believe that one, but the stories, like the recipes, are part of our family’s beautiful and layered history.” – Nicci shares
For Nicci, the kitchen has always been a sacred space of connection for her and her family.
“Growing up, the kitchen was the heart of our family — it’s where everyone connected. If you were in the kitchen, you were either helping prep or waiting to lick the spoon, LOL.”
Like the kitchen, food has always been a way for the family to connect and be reminded of their Sicilian roots.
“For us, food — especially Ma Joyce’s lasagna — has always been more than just a meal. It’s part of every birthday, every family gathering, every moment that matters. If you asked me what it tastes like, I’d say it tastes like first love — but the kind that wraps you in warmth and never really leaves you.”
The family believes their roots trace back to Palermo, and now Nicci wants to take her daughter on a journey that will once again bring their heritage to life.
For Nicci, this trip is more than a holiday. It’s a tribute, a legacy, and a love letter — from mother to daughter, to the place where it all began.
“This trip is meaningful because it’s more than a birthday celebration — it’s a moment for her to connect with where our family comes from. It’s about giving her the gift of experience, culture, and family roots — something she’ll remember forever.”
The mother-daughter duo picture wandering through the bustling Ballarò Market, spinning under the ancient arches of the Cattedrale di Palermo, and tossing coins into the Fontana Pretoria. And through each experience, feeling a long-lost tug from the cobbled streets and vibrant Sicilian culture of their roots — maybe even spotting a cousin with those signature mischievous eyebrows.
This trip has been a long-time dream for Qiran and Nicci, and now — thanks to a crowdfunding platform Nicci contributes to daily(and is the go-to for tech queries that could stump a rocket scientist) — it’s finally starting to feel like a possibility.
A Campaign Close to Home
In May 2025, Nicci launched her campaign: Qiran’s Super Sweet Sicilian Sixteenth, hoping to raise R65,000 to cover flights, accommodation, visas, travel insurance, and — of course — some pasta and gelato along the way.
So far, 17 donors have contributed over R2,000. It may seem like a modest start, but for Nicci, each donation is a message of support and belief.
“We’ve been so moved by the support,” she says. “A friend even offered her massage services for our fundraiser — no questions asked. It’s things like that that remind me just how kind people can be.”
Even Qiran, who usually avoids the spotlight, had something heartfelt to share:
“I feel happy and surprised — honestly, I feel lucky. Thank you to everyone who’s helping, even if you don’t know me. I really hope this trip happens. I saw a message saying my mommy is working really hard to make it possible. I hope it works out — for both of us.”
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – On Sunday, 8 June 2025, Graham Wells will run his 8th Comrades Marathon — barefoot — to raise vital funds for the PMB Homeless Network (PMBHN). His mission? To raise R60,000 to provide 2,000 warm meals for those without food or shelter this winter in Pietermaritzburg.
The 2025 Comrades Marathon, covering 89.98 kilometres (55.95 miles) from Pietermaritzburg City Hall to Durban’s People’s Park, is a test of endurance — but for Graham, it’s also a powerful act of empathy.
“Running barefoot puts me, even briefly, in the shoes of those who don’t have any,” says Graham. “It’s uncomfortable, painful even, but it’s a reminder — every single step — of why I’m doing this. For those who walk the streets every day, cold and unseen.”
As of 28 May, Graham has raised R6,288 from 13 donors through his BackaBuddy campaign, Run for a Roof 2025. Each meal costs just R30, and the team’s aim is to serve 2,000 meals as a first step toward long-term support.
“We all understand the comfort of a warm meal,” says Graham. “This isn’t just about feeding hunger — it’s about restoring hope and dignity.”
Graham, who is 48 years old and currently based in the UK, began his charity running journey in 2009 at the New York Marathon. Since 2016, he has completed multiple Comrades Marathons for charity, running barefoot each year — except in 2019, when he ran in shoes to raise funds for Niqi During, a young woman living with cystic fibrosis, and in 2020, when he did not run due to injury, despite the race going virtual that year. In 2021, fully recovered, he completed a solo barefoot virtual Comrades from Mooi River to Pietermaritzburg, continuing his commitment to making a difference for others.
This year’s campaign builds on Graham’s long-running support of the PMB Homeless Network, the first initiative of its kind in the region. After years of fundraising to restore the city’s first permanent homeless shelter, he is now focused on the next critical step: making sure no one inside goes to bed hungry.
The PMB Homeless Network doesn’t just offer shelter — it provides a pathway out of homelessness. Through structured rehabilitation, reintegration, and community building, the network aims to rebuild lives from the ground up.
“We strive to build more than a shelter,” says the PMBHN team. “We aim to reconstruct lives, empower individuals, and shape a community where everyone has a place to call home.”
With the shelter now near completion and a vegetable garden already established, Graham’s 2025 goal is to help launch a feeding scheme that will supply 2,000 nourishing meals — meals that mean survival, but also dignity and care.
One moment that continues to inspire Graham came during a World Homeless Day outreach in 2022:
“A man — weak from low blood sugar — clung to a sealed ice cream like it was all he had,” he recalls. “I was simply trying to help him sit up more comfortably, but even then, he instinctively pulled it back. It showed me just how much trust is lost when someone’s lived on the edge for too long. That moment has stayed with me.”
Despite the physical toll, Graham returns to the road — barefoot — year after year.
“I’ve told myself many times I wouldn’t run barefoot again. But then I see the impact — the awareness, the donations, the people it touches. That’s why I keep going — until we’re no longer needed.”
Donations of any amount are welcome. Supporters wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution can request a Section 18A certificate by emailing [email protected]. For those who cannot donate, Graham asks only that they help by sharing the campaign.
“You don’t need money to make a difference. Even the smallest act of kindness can go a long way in someone’s life.”
