A life in service: building a global humanitarian force

In recognition of his extraordinary humanitarian work, Dr Imtiaaz Sooliman was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) on Monday, 30 March 2026 during the Faculty of Humanities’ second graduation ceremony. An honorary doctorate is the highest recognition the University of Cape Town confers, celebrating individuals whose lives and work have made a sustained and meaningful contribution to society.

Sooliman’s life has been defined by a singular principle: service. Raised in a household rooted in community, shaped by his mother’s insistence on dignity and care, and tempered by early experiences as a young doctor confronting hardship firsthand, his path has always been about people.

That commitment crystallised during a spiritual encounter in Turkey, sparking the creation of Gift of the Givers, founded on a radical yet simple ethos: help all, expect nothing. From a single staff member and a rented office, the organisation has grown into a global humanitarian network, delivering nearly R900 million in aid annually. Its reach spans disaster relief, medical interventions, hostage negotiations, and infrastructure support, making it one of the most comprehensive response teams in the world.

Yet behind the scale lies a quieter truth – a life given fully to service, often at personal and familial cost, with no expectation of recognition. For Sooliman, the work transcends legacy or acclaim. It is a relentless, unfinished call to responsibility: to serve where the need is greatest, always and unflinchingly.

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