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IMTIAZ SOOLIMAN

mtiaz Sooliman is the chairman and founder home, and I’d speak to my wife about their needs. A CONSTANT BALANCING ACT
of Gift of the Givers. The origins of Gift of the For example, we realised some people needed
Givers are deeply spiritual. Imtiaz recalls that the counselling, so my wife set up our counselling Imtiaz commented, “The biggest challenge is that
Iinspiration came from a spiritual teacher who service.” Today the organisation provides services the requirements always exceed the resources.”
Requests come from hospitals, schools, communities,
contacted him on August 6, 1992. “At exactly 10 from educational bursaries to drought relief and and individuals, forcing difficult choices. “We often
p.m. on a Thursday night, my teacher spoke to me has provided aid worth over six billion Rand across find a compromise between where the donors want
fluently in Turkish, a language I don’t understand. 47 countries. to place their funds and where the need is greatest,”
But because of the spirituality of that event, I NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS he explains, describing a constant balancing act.
understood every word.”
Reflecting on his achievements, Imtiaz highlights “My inspiration to continue comes from my faith,”
The teacher said, “My son, I’m not asking you; I’m Gift of the Givers’ first project. “That night of August says Imtiaz. “The Prophet Muhammad, peace be
instructing you to form an organisation. The name 6, 1992, I was inspired to respond to the civil war upon him, served humanity unconditionally.”
in Arabic will be Waqful Waqifin, translated as Gift in Bosnia. Within that month, I took 32 containers According to Imtiaz, his team’s motivation is rooted
of the Givers.” Imtiaz was told that this organisation of aid into a war zone, alone,” he recalls. Just three in the work itself. “They’re motivated when they see
would serve people unconditionally. “You will months later, he led another convoy, carrying the impact of what they do,” he explains. Many feel
serve all people – of all races, religions, colours, winter supplies into the region. One of his most a deep sense of purpose and fulfilment from their
classes, and cultures, regardless of geographical notable achievements was creating the world’s work. “They’ll shut down their practices, take leave
location or political affiliation,” he explains. His first containerised mobile hospital in South Africa. from their jobs, and come back again because they
teacher emphasised that he would be serving “It was a product of South African engineering feel spiritually charged.”
without expecting anything in return, ‘not even a and technology – 28 state-of-the-art containers His family’s example has also influenced his path.
thank you’, adding that the directive was lifelong, including operating theatres, X-rays, ICUs, and a “My father and grandfather ran a general store
and that Imtiaz should, “Remember whatever you burn unit.” and would extend credit to struggling families.
do is done through you, not by you.” My mother started an employment bureau to help
Imtiaz worked in the mountains of Pakistan after a people find dignity.” Imtiaz’s in-laws have supported
Imtiaz’s purpose was clarified further: “You are here devastating earthquake in 2005. “The military general Gift of the Givers from its inception. “They offered
to serve mankind and humanity, focusing on the said, ‘Do you mind not going to that quake area?’ I their factory, vehicles, staff, and financial support
teachings of Islam.” He references a title given to agreed, and instead, we set up a 400-bed emergency before it was even formally established. They’re still
the Prophet Muhammad, “Rahmatul lil ‘Alamin,” hospital,” he recounts. Within 24 hours, his team had supporting us, 32 years later.”
meaning ‘a mercy to all creation’, which guides him revived an abandoned hospital, performing up to 75
to serve people of all faiths and care for animals, surgeries a day, earning a presidential award from Imtiaz’s vision for KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa is
the environment, and all creation. “That has been then-President Pervez Musharraf. rooted in community cooperation. Reflecting on the
my focus for 32 years with Gift of the Givers, and challenges faced, natural disasters, economic strain,
even before that in smaller ways,” explained Imtiaz. Another proud moment was in Haiti, during the and socio-political divides, he says, “Prosperity
2010 earthquake. “On January 20, eight days after comes when there’s good human relations.” Imtiaz
At the time, Imtiaz was a doctor with three the earthquake, my team heard sounds in the highlighted that there’s more willingness to engage
surgeries in Pietermaritzburg. Gift of the Givers rubble of a collapsed Catholic church. After three across diverse groups in recent years. For Imtiaz,
was born in 1992, and by June 1994, he had hours of digging, they pulled out a 64-year-old the road to prosperity also involves critical public-
closed all three of his practices. “It wasn’t possible woman alive.” Her first words to the rescuers were private partnerships. He calls on corporate South
to do two professional jobs at the same time,” powerful: “She said, ‘I love God Almighty. You’ve Africa to join in tackling infrastructure and service
he reflects. brought faith and hope.’” gaps, especially in sectors like healthcare, policing,
and education.
Imtiaz said that the teacher explained, ‘You will During the Covid-19 pandemic, Imtiaz and his team
know what to do.’ He added, “For 32 years, I’ve supported 210 hospitals across South Africa with Imtiaz summarises his philosophy with a personal
known exactly what to do, what not to do, what medical equipment, infrastructure upgrades, and motto: “The best among people are those who
to touch, and what not to touch.” Over the years, food parcels. “We built an entire high-care ward in benefit mankind.” For Imtiaz, a commitment to
disasters and crises have appeared, shaping the Makhanda, set up Covid-19 testing teams across the collective responsibility is essential for a prosperous
organisation. Gift of the Givers has expanded into 21 country, and distributed hundreds of thousands of South Africa, a stronger continent, and a brighter
categories of projects. “People would come to our food parcels,” he says. future for all.
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