Page 107 - KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK 2019

Founder, director and chairman of Gift of the Givers vaccines, anti-malarial medication, high energy and
protein supplements, food and water to millions of
MTIAZ SOOLIMAN is the founder, director people in 42 countries, South Africa included.
and chairman of Gift of the Givers, a disaster The organisation, due its staff and infrastructure, has
relief agency, which has been in existence for extended its activities beyond providing disaster relief
I27 years. Sooliman says that he is driven by to 21 categories of projects. The diverse activities
his motto and that of the Gift of the Givers which is include bursaries, agricultural self-sustainability,
simple. The motto states: “Best Among People are water provision, counselling and life skills services,
those who Benefit Mankind”.
entrepreneurship and job creation, establishment of
Thus far the Pietermaritzburg headquartered primary health care clinics and medical support to
organisation has disbursed in excess of R2,1 billion hospitals, winter warmth and supply of new clothing
in aid to needy individuals and communities. and shoes, sports development, feeding schemes
and food parcel distribution, supply of household
Dr Sooliman matriculated from Greyville’s Sastri
College in 1978, following which, he completed and personal hygiene packs, educational support
his medical degree at the then University of and toy distribution, provision of housing, care of the
Natal’s medical school. Dr Sooliman’s work as a physically and mentally challenged, orphans and the
humanitarian began while providing medical care elderly as well as intervening in hostage situations.
at the Nacala Hospital in northern Mozambique, These efforts have earned Gift of the Givers,
as part of the Islamic Medical Association’s relief 124 individual and organisational accolades and
work efforts. awards, including four Presidential awards.
Dr Sooliman explained that he was inspired Gift of the Givers is the only organisation in South
to assist others by the teaching of the Prophet Africa to have received awards from two successive
Mohamed who said that God will not answer your South African presidents, including the President’s
prayers if you neglect fellow beings. He added, Order of the Star of South Africa (the highest civilian
“I emphasize this because the person who has the award in the country).
greatest right over you is your hungry neighbour. In 2010, President Jacob Zuma honoured
The essence of all religions is love, its mercy and Dr Sooliman with the Order of the Grand Counsellor
human dignity.”
of the Baobab: Silver award. In 2016, Dr Sooliman
In addition, in 1992, while visiting Istanbul in was awarded the prestigious Global Citizen Award®
Turkey, Dr Sooliman was introduced to a Sufi by the international advisory firm Henley & Partners.
Sheikh, an Islamic mystic, who instructed him to Dr Sooliman commented that the work of the
form an organisation called the Gift of The Givers. organisation is done through him and not by him
The Sheikh said to him, “You will serve all people of and out of a sense of gratitude that he is not in a
all races, of all religions, of all colours, of all classes, situation of need. He says that he is driven by
of all political affiliations and of any geographical integrity, honesty and transparency. “Always keep
location, and you will serve them unconditionally.”
your promises and go beyond that what you said that
Over the following two years, his involvement you would do,” he added.
grew to the point that Dr Sooliman closed his Dr Sooliman believes that it’s the conditions of
medical surgery in 1994, to pursue his humanitarian others less fortunate than him that keeps him going.
commitments full-time.
“You want to help over and over when you see the
Gift of the Givers has delivered lifesaving aid in the pain and suffering of others. The most satisfying
form of search and rescue teams, medical personnel, thing is the smile on a person’s face when they are
medical equipment, medical supplies, medicines, lifted up.”

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