BI Phakathi

About

South African philanthropist, motivational speaker, life coach, and anonymous social media personality who has built a loyal online following by showcasing himself performing acts of kindness and generosity toward the underprivileged and other people experiencing homelessness throughout South Africa. His videos demonstrate an uplifting message of compassion and positivity, which has allowed his self-titled YouTube channel to establish an audience that exceeds 1.5 million subscribers. Despite the high profile of his platform, he has maintained anonymity by keeping his face concealed in videos and interviews. 

Before fame

At an early age, he was inspired by his parents' benevolence toward those in need. This sparked his lifelong passion for giving and belief that all humans are entitled to dignity. In the early 2000s, he began donating food and clothing to people experiencing homelessness in his community; however, it quickly became clear to him that there were many more people in need. Hoping to inspire others to follow in his footsteps, he began filming his altruistic deeds and sharing the videos on social media.

Trivia

In 2018, he established the Bi Phakathi Foundation. The foundation aims to assist the underprivileged by providing food, water, clothing, shelter, and other necessities. It also facilitates education and job training for its beneficiaries to achieve self-sufficiency.

Family life

He has preserved his anonymity by keeping nearly all personal details out of the public eye, including his real name and appearance. His alias, "Bi Phakathi," loosely translates to someone who "gives in public," and many have asserted that this commitment to privacy reinforces his image as someone who values impact over recognition.

Associated with

He and Zachery Dereniowski are both popular figures on social media widely recognized for their generous donations to people in need.