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An Indian-origin South African, Imtiaz Sooliman, who founded the internationally-lauded Gift of the Givers Foundation, has been recently awarded the prestigious Global Citizen Award for his “innovative and visionary” contribution to the global community. Imtiaz Sooliman founded the internationally-lauded Gift of the Givers Foundation, which is Africa’s largest disaster relief organisation. “It will build faith and confidence in others to support African NGOs in the future”, said Sooliman.

He was honoured at the end of the 10th annual Global Residence and Citizenship Conference in London, the UK.  The award consists a specially-made commemorative medal, an award certificate signed by the president of the independent Award Committee and a $50,000 monetary prize, of which approximately 50% is contributed to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

 “This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the continent and all that we can do. Being honored with a prestigious award like this means we have the global stamp of approval which helps build faith and confidence in others to support African NGOs in the future,” said Sooliman on receiving the award .

Since his foundation’s beginnings in during early 90’s, Sooliman has grown the Gift of the Givers into Africa’s largest disaster relief organisation, raising more than ZAR 2 billion ($150 million) in life-saving aid for over 40 countries globally, including the war-ravaged states such as Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Bosnia. For his contributions, he has garnered several national and international awards, including National Orders from the President of South Africa.

by Ashwani Srivastava

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