14/6/2025–|Last update: 11:29 (Mecca time)
In one of the restaurants of the city of Derban, I met Dr. Mamazim Suleiman, the founder of the “Waqf Al -Waqif” organization, one of the most prominent relief organizations in the south Africa. He had just finished a breakfast meeting with representatives of a company specialized in eye care, donated medical supplies of one million Rand to support the white water removal program that his wife is running within the organization.
One day before that, it was in Johannesburg to give up the “Titanium Award for Excellence in providing health care”, which was awarded by the South African Health Care Followers Authority, in appreciation of his organization’s efforts to strengthen the health system after the Kofid-19 pandem
Despite his crowded agenda, Dr. Suleiman does not know the meaning of rest, as he emphasizes: “I work 365 days a year. I do not like holidays, but I find them stressful.”
He sleeps only 3 hours per day, and the rest of his time is devoted to his large family, which includes two wives, 6 children, and 9 grandchildren. Even his 9 -year -old daughter, accompanies him in conferences, insists on her presence, otherwise he apologizes for participation.
The beginning of “stopping the stands”
The “Waqf Al -Waqif” organization was established in 1992, in response to the guidance of “Rouhi”. Türkiye. He remembers that moment, saying: “My spiritual guide told me: O son, I do not ask you, but I command you to establish an organization called in Arabic that will be ‘stop standing’.
At that time, he was a young doctor in the early thirties, running 3 clinics in his town of Petrurretburg. But he decided to respond to the Bosnia crisis, and sent 32 aid containers there. From that experience, he learned everything that he needs in humanitarian work: from logistics and financial transfers, to bureaucracy, shipping, aviation, risks, and diplomacy.
The following year, the organization designed a mobile hospital, and sent it inside containers from South Africa To Bosnia. “It was the first time in the world a medical product with African technology and sent to Europe,” says proudly.
Multi -faceted organization
After the establishment of the “Stop”, Suleiman was forced to abandon his medical clinics. He says: “The projects were added over time – there was a need, and people came to us, so we studied and implemented it.”
The Foundation started providing various services, including kitchens for food distribution, scholarships for students who are unable to pay fees, and advisory services to the needy.
For more than 3 decades, the organization has interfered in humanitarian crises in Rwanda, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Palestine, Mozambique, Nepal, and others. It also contributed to the liberation of South African hostages without paying a ransom, such as Yoland Corky and Stephen McGoan Yemen 2014, in Mali in 2017.
“Some organizations offer tents, food or medications. We offer everything: medical teams, field hospitals, psychological support, equipment, and even negotiations to free hostage. We can create a full hospital in Somalia Within 3 hours, or an operating room on a runway within 45 minutes. ”
Today, the organization includes offices in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Somalia, Yemen, Gaza, Syria, and Turkey, with more than 600 employees.
Suleiman’s vision of Africa
Despite the challenges, Suleiman believes that South Africa is the “greatest country in the world”, praising the freedom to express it, but he admits that corruption is And bureaucracy They obstruct progress. And it confirms that the government is cooperating with its organization transparently, despite the difficulties.
Recently, the president appointed him The serrious Ruminza Within a national committee that includes 31 prominent figures to lead the national dialogue in the country.
As for the African continent, Solomon calls for freedom from foreign influence, and says: “We have resources, and we have harmony. We must rebuild our continent with ourselves, with dignity and pride, without allowing any external force to dictate what we do.”
