Celebrated across Africa and beyond, Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman is a South African physician who left private practice to found Gift of the Givers, now one of the largest humanitarian NGOs on the continent. In 2023, he was named African of the Year by Nigeria’s Daily Trust, a recognition of over 30 years of tireless, borderless humanitarian service.
🌍 A Life Led by Compassion
Dr. Sooliman studied medicine at the University of Natal. In 1992, inspired by a spiritual encounter in Turkey, he created Gift of the Givers, committed to serving “people of all races, religions, and nationalities – asking nothing in return.” Since then, the organization has responded to crises in more than 47 countries, including Bosnia, Somalia, Gaza, Turkey, and Libya.
🏆 Acknowledgements and Global Impact
He has received over 121 awards, including:
- Order of the Baobab in Silver from the South African presidency
- Daily Trust’s African of the Year (2023)
- Honorary doctorates from institutions like North-West University
Gift of the Givers is credited with over 6 billion ZAR (~$319 million USD) in humanitarian aid, and continues to expand its work in healthcare, education, clean water access, and food security.
❤️ A Humanitarian Giant
Key areas of intervention include:
- Emergency response (disasters, conflict zones)
- Free medical aid and mobile hospitals
- Food parcels, clean water projects, and well drilling
- “Seeing is Believing” program: free eye care across Africa
🔮 Looking Ahead
As of 2025, Dr. Sooliman’s mission continues. With natural disasters on the rise, Gift of the Givers remains a symbol of fast, effective, and compassionate response, reminding us that humanity knows no borders.
