'Gift of the Givers was a spiritual calling, not a choice' - Imtiaz Sooliman

Bongani Bingwa interviews Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder of Gift of the Givers.

Listen below.

31 years ago, Sooliman founded what is now the largest disaster response non-governmental organisation to come from Africa.

Since then, it has provided R4.5 billion in aid to 45 countries, relieving hunger and providing water, and education.

On Thursday 6 August 1992 at 10 pm, while in Turkey, Sooliman was given a spiritual instruction that would change his life forever.

Despite not understanding a word of Turkish, he understood the clear instructions given to him: he would serve everyone regardless of their age, race, culture, religion, political views or geographical location without expecting anything in return.

At the time, he was working as a doctor but chose to close his practice because he understood that Gift of the Givers was his life’s calling.

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"It was all in Turkish and I didn't understand a word of Turkish, but I understood every single word."

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder – Gift of the Givers

"Remember that whatever you do is done through you and not by you."

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder – Gift of the Givers

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