, Introduction
This assignment critically examines the organisational communication practices of Gift of the Givers,
a South African-based humanitarian non-governmental organisation founded in 1992 by Dr Imtiaz
Sooliman. Recognised as the largest disaster response NGO of African origin, Gift of the Givers
operates across multiple regions in Africa and internationally, delivering disaster relief, healthcare
services, water provision, food security initiatives and community development programmes (Gift
of the Givers Foundation, official website). Given the scope and complexity of its operations,
effective communication is central to its sustainability, stakeholder engagement and service
delivery. The assignment explores key communication theories, including the transmission and
transactional models, and evaluates their relevance to internal organisational communication. It
further analyses organisational communication channels, brand communication strategies, and the
structural nature of the organisation as a non-profit entity. Finally, it proposes a decolonial
communication strategy aligned with African epistemologies and languages to strengthen
inclusivity and cultural relevance. Through theoretical application and contextual analysis, this
assignment demonstrates how strategic communication contributes to the effectiveness and
legitimacy of Gift of the Givers.
This assignment critically examines the organisational communication practices of Gift of the Givers,
a South African-based humanitarian non-governmental organisation founded in 1992 by Dr Imtiaz
Sooliman. Recognised as the largest disaster response NGO of African origin, Gift of the Givers
operates across multiple regions in Africa and internationally, delivering disaster relief, healthcare
services, water provision, food security initiatives and community development programmes (Gift
of the Givers Foundation, official website). Given the scope and complexity of its operations,
effective communication is central to its sustainability, stakeholder engagement and service
delivery. The assignment explores key communication theories, including the transmission and
transactional models, and evaluates their relevance to internal organisational communication. It
further analyses organisational communication channels, brand communication strategies, and the
structural nature of the organisation as a non-profit entity. Finally, it proposes a decolonial
communication strategy aligned with African epistemologies and languages to strengthen
inclusivity and cultural relevance. Through theoretical application and contextual analysis, this
assignment demonstrates how strategic communication contributes to the effectiveness and
legitimacy of Gift of the Givers.
