Latest news with #BackaBuddy
News24
20 hours ago
- Sport
- News24
SA opens hearts and wallets to smash R100K target for teen chess champ's global dream
Donors have raised in excess of R100 000 to help a Cape Town teen attend an international chess tournament. Imkhitha Joya asked for help to get her to the World Youth Chess Championships in Albania later this year. Imkhitha became the South African U14 girls' chess champion after an unbeaten run at the Junior Closed Chess Championships this year. It took only 36 hours for generous readers to make a 14-year-old's dream of representing her country at an international chess tournament in Albania come true. Imkhitha Joya became the South African U14 girls' chess champion after an unbeaten run at the Junior Closed Chess Championships this year. But a lack of funding has hampered her access to the international tournaments that could help her improve her chess rating. Her coach started a BackaBuddy for her, and the response has been marvellous. By Friday, Imkhitha surpassed the R100 000 target after news houses like News24, EWN, Good Things Guy and IOL all reported on her story. After News24's story alone, the figure jumped by R70 000 in 36 hours this week. See Imkhitha's BackaBuddy campaign The Nyanga child is one of South Africa's brightest young chess talents and has earned national recognition and international invitations – some of which she had to turn down due to a lack of funding. This year alone, Imkhitha was unable to represent South Africa at the African Individual Chess Championships, African Schools Championships, and FIDE Youth Olympiad. Her coach and mentor, Thando Hlakula, said those missed opportunities have been some of the toughest parts of her journey. READ | This Nyanga teen is SA's U14 girls' chess champ. Now she needs help to play overseas Now, she has been invited to represent South Africa at the World Youth Chess Championships in Albania in October and the African Youth Chess Championships in Algeria in December. To get to Albania, Imkhitha needed to raise R94 000, and generous South Africans banded together to make her dreams possible. Donations ranged from R15 000 to R50, with donors all wishing the young chess star well on her way to becoming a Grand Master – starting with her next international tournament, the World Youth Chess Championships in Albania in October. One donor, called Marlene, said: My late husband would be very proud of you, as he was a provincial chess player for WP. Another BackaBuddy donor added: 'You go, girl! You're a real Super Champ! Go out and get your medal!' Donor Megan Swart, who gave R50, said: 'I don't have much to give, but I believe in you and [I'm] so proud of how far you have come. Go get them, girl! Make South Africa proud!' Social media users also threw their support behind Imkhitha. On Instagram, Wendy Lee Mitchell said: 'Not just beautiful! Brains too! Well done, baby girl! I hope the government doesn't let you down!' Hlakula said that he had been left completely speechless by the outpouring of support. 'I don't even know what to say. I'm so happy, and it means so much. Now, Imkhitha just has to worry about playing chess, because the money is taken care of. We're very grateful,' he said. At the time of publication, Imkhitha was competing in an all-expenses-paid tournament in Russia and was not aware of the outpouring of support. 'I will wait until she gets back to South Africa to tell her,' said Hlakula. 'I don't like to bring up money and let her worry about it, especially when her focus should be on the chess competition. I'm sure she will want to make a video to say thank you.' News24 previously reported that earlier this year, Imkhitha was crowned South African U14 girls' chess champion after an unbeaten run at the Junior Closed Chess Championships. Her CHESSA rating stands at 1811, making her the top-ranked U14 girl and sixth overall among female players in South Africa. Imkhitha's story began in 2020 when she was introduced to chess through a school programme at Isigcawu Primary. She fell in love with the game almost immediately. Hlakula encouraged Imkhitha to compete in her first tournament three months after she joined the chess club, and despite losing all her matches, Imkhitha took to the sport with a passion. Some days, she trains for up to eight hours.
The South African
a day ago
- Politics
- The South African
Police commissioner Makhwanazi to be gifted two cows from public
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will be the proud owner of two cows, thanks to a BackaBuddy fundraising initiative. The gift follows the high-ranking official's bombshell allegations last week about the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu's alleged underworld dealings. On the X platform, notorious troll Chris Excel launched a crowdfunding initiative to gift Nhlanla Mkhwanazi two cows as a 'token of appreciation.' The mysterious social media profile encouraged his followers to dig into their pockets for the charitable cause. Soon enough, his BackaBuddy campaign had succeeded the R35 000 goal. According to Excel, he was currently dealing with formalities, pending the release of the funds, which would be used to purchase and transport two cows to Mkhwanazi in Durban. Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa will convene a 'public meeting' to give South Africans feedback on his response to Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations against high-ranking officials. The television briefing will take place on Sunday, 13 July at 19:00 and will be broadcast on various platforms. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Noordhoek's Karoline Hanks completes Chappies Challenge for Project Noordhoeked
Determined and driven — Karoline Hanks climbs Chapman's Peak as part of her 8,849 m elevation challenge to support Project Noordhoeked. Image: StephenC Photography Noordhoek's Karoline Hanks has successfully completed her self-imposed "Everesting Challenge" — running the equivalent height of Mount Everest, 8 849m, by repeatedly ascending and descending Chapman's Peak. Over the course of more than 30 hours, she tackled the route 13 times, braving fatigue, icy winds, and the mental toll of repetition — all to raise funds for the conservation-focused Project Noordhoeked. The effort, she said, was filled with a 'complete fruit salad of thoughts and emotions and memories'. 'I need to write it all up still — the groundhog day element, the mind games, fear (sometimes), elation, recognition of the intense privilege, love for that mountain, my community, my friends, my partner, my son. And so much gratitude,' she said. Hanks, who is the founder of Project Noordhoeked, said the route was brutal, but the mountain gave her gifts in return — from porcupines and snakes to jackal buzzards, fuzzy caterpillars, and 'million-dollar sunsets and sunrises". She described one of the most moving moments early in the challenge, during lap two, when she looked down from Chapman's Peak and saw a crowd of volunteers cleaning up Noordhoek Beach as part of a coordinated community effort. 'My heart literally burst,' she said. 'I wanted to be down there too, but I knew that Di Davis, Nic Davis, and my incredible Project Noordhoeked team had it all under control.' Project Noordhoeked is a grassroots initiative that employs a small team to care for Noordhoek's beach, wetland, and mountain areas. They are also responsible for Kakapo, the iconic wire whale sculpture filled with collected plastic. The challenge was launched in July with a fundraising goal of R80 000. At the time of writing, the project raised over R65 000 through BackaBuddy and additional direct donations. Hanks was joined for four laps by her son. She also shared laps with "Duracell" Filippo Faralla, who provided unwavering support. Many friends and supporters showed up throughout the challenge — some cheering, others bringing hot cappuccinos, smoothies, and vegan snacks. 'Cheryl Ann Carrick, you angel,' she said, naming just one of many who helped in quiet, generous ways. She also credited Tessa Oliver for keeping her laughing on the trail, and filmmaker Rudi Gremels, who captured the entire feat. Looking back, she said the event pushed her limits but left her filled with pride, not only for the physical achievement, but for the community that rallied behind it. 'I had great support from my partner and my son — amazing company on the route through the night and also just at my aid station,' she said. While she has completed tough endurance events before, Hanks said this one was different. It took place on her home ground, in one of Noordhoek's last wild places — a space she is determined to protect from threats like invasive Rooikrans and Port Jackson. As for doing it again? 'Would I do it again? No, not that particular challenge. I do think I'm going to give Chappies a big miss for a while,' she said. 'But I'm sure I'll find some other epic run — maybe next year. For now, I need to rest.' To support the project, visit: Cape Argus
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
NICU bills racking up for miracle baby Ayden
Ayden van Tonder was born prematurely at 25 weeks and weighed only 850g on June 7, and has since been receiving treatment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Life Midmed Hospital. According to Ayden's mom, Chané Janse van Vuuren, Ayden is still too fragile to be transferred to a government hospital, despite her little boy fighting valiantly for his life. The Middelburg Observer previously reported that Ayden is receiving oxygen due to his lungs not being fully developed, as well as treatment for a hole in his heart. Chané confirmed that Ayden is doing well, but had to undergo blood transfusions on Sunday. 'His oxygen levels take a dip every time he feeds, and we were told that the blood transfusions will help pick up his oxygen levels.' Since the Observer's articles about Ayden's fight for survival, Chané and Ayden's father, Elijah van Tonder, have seen overwhelming support from the community. Without medical aid, the couple have had no choice but to pay the mounting hospital bills every week. How to help According to Chané, last week's hospital bills are still outstanding, and the couple has to pay R193 771.43 for last week, in addition to another R180 000 for this week, by Friday. The couple have started a BackaBuddy profile for Ayden to raise funds for his medical bills. Anyone wishing to donate towards Ayden's hospital fees are welcome to visit the following link: Donors are also welcome to make contributions directly to Life MidMed Hospital under the reference number: *538036. Read more here: Baby Ayden born at 25 weeks and needs help At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Help Jaco beat cancer
Jaco Pretorius (48), a handyman, churchgoer and family man from Freeway Park, is urgently in need of the community's assistance. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, he is in a race against time to get the life-saving surgery that could restore his health. With limited access to public healthcare and rapidly worsening symptoms, Jaco's only hope now lies in the generosity of others. His family is calling on the community to support Jaco's BackaBuddy campaign to help fund the medical treatment he so desperately needs. A devoted family man's life changed When he is not fixing things, Jaco is actively involved in his church, Woord en Lewe Kerk in Boksburg. He loves spending time with his family, especially his 96-year-old grandfather, whom he regularly takes out for ice cream and walks. But in late 2024, everything changed when what Jaco initially thought was a dental abscess turned out to be something far more serious. Despite repeated treatments, his condition worsened and he sought a second opinion. After queuing at Johannesburg General Hospital from 03:00 in the morning, a specialist diagnosed him with squamous cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting his jaw. The struggle for surgery Due to a severe backlog at Johannesburg General Hospital, where only one operating theatre handles this type of surgery, Jaco faces a six- to eight-month wait for his operation. Meanwhile, his condition is deteriorating rapidly. He can no longer eat solid food and survives on a liquid diet via a PEG feeding tube. The pain is severe and he requires daily morphine and wound care through Hospice East Rand. Unable to work, Jaco is financially dependent on his family and donations to make ends meet. A ray of hope but more help is needed Thanks to kind donations, Jaco was recently admitted to Cintocare, where he received treatment for an infection and had a PEG feeding tube inserted. He spent five and a half days in hospital, and while this was a critical first step, the most urgent and expensive part—his reconstructive cancer surgery—is still ahead. To proceed, support is needed to help cover the costs outlined in a specialist medical quote facilitated by the Cancer Heroes Foundation. His sister-in-law, Taryn Pretorius, describes this as one of the most exhausting and emotional experiences of her life. 'Watching someone you love suffer while feeling helpless is heart-breaking. Learning how to manage Jaco's feeding tube has been deeply emotional. We are so grateful for every person who has donated or reached out—we couldn't have come this far without you,' she said. If you can assist, visit Also Read: Little girl with big heart fills her piggy bank for Chereez Also Read: Chereez Nel still cancer-free after three years At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
