A colorful school-themed birthday cake with lit candles
Est. 2011 · Johannesburg

Because Every Soul Deserves a Slice of Love

We bring birthday cakes to orphanages, old age homes, and worthy causes — because everyone deserves to know they matter.

"You matter, no matter…"

Hands carefully decorating a birthday cake with love and care
Our Story

A Journey That Began With One Cake

In 2011, the founders of T-Par-T Patisserie in Johannesburg asked themselves a simple question: what if a birthday cake could say "you matter" to a child who has never heard it? That question became a mission, and The Birthday Cake Project SA was born.

It started in a children's home in Rossettenville — one cake, one celebration, one child reminded that the day they came into this world is worth celebrating. The smiles that followed were proof that even the smallest gesture can leave a lasting impact.

Today, TBCPSA operates across 4 provinces in South Africa, building a nationwide network of orphanages and rallying communities — bakers, donors, and everyday South Africans — to ensure that no child or elderly person feels forgotten on their birthday.

2011
Founded
4
Provinces
100+
Lives Touched
As Seen On DW

Thabile's Birthday Cake Project

Deutsche Welle featured the inspiring story behind our mission — spreading joy one birthday cake at a time. Watch the full feature.

DW feature on Thabile's Birthday Cake Project
DW · 3:25
Our Impact
0

Birthday Cakes Delivered

Every number is a soul reminded they matter — delivered with love to orphanages, old age homes, and community centres across South Africa. And the count keeps growing, one celebration at a time.

How It Works

Three Steps to Spread Joy

Anyone can make a difference. It takes just three simple steps to change a child's world on their birthday.

1

Bake or Buy a Cake

Whether you're a professional baker, a passionate hobbyist, or simply want to buy a cake — your contribution matters. Each cake carries a message of love.

2

Find a Home Near You

We connect you with orphanages and old age homes in your area. Each contributor works within their own community, making the giving personal and meaningful.

3

Celebrate a Birthday

Your cake arrives at the right moment — a birthday celebration that tells someone: you are loved, you are recognised, you matter. The joy is immeasurable.

Volunteer Voices

Stories From Our Bakers

Hear from the volunteers who bake and deliver cakes to homes across South Africa. Their experiences remind us of the joy in giving.

Pinky Thabethe

"I baked a cake for a fundraiser supporting the Childcare Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital here in Johannesburg. Knowing that the funds raised would go towards caring for some of the most vulnerable children in our community made every hour in the kitchen worthwhile. When I saw people bidding generously and the cake becoming a symbol of hope, I realised that baking isn't just my hobby — it's my way of giving back. The Birthday Cake Project SA gave me a platform to turn something I love into something that truly matters for the children who need it most."

P

Pinky Thabethe

Baker · Johannesburg, Gauteng

Thamaine Moodley

"Baking for the children at Malvern Child and Youth Care Centre in Durban was deeply personal for me. As a home baker, I've always believed a cake is more than dessert — it's a message that says 'you are seen, you are loved'. When I handed the cake to the caregivers and saw the children gather around, some of them smiling for the first time in weeks, I understood the true power of what we do through The Birthday Cake Project SA. These children deserve joy just like any other child, and I'm honoured to play a small part in bringing it to them."

T

Thamaine Moodley

Baker · Malvern Child and Youth Care Centre, Durban

Krishnee Moodley

"By day I work as a pathologist, but my true escape has always been baking. When I heard about The Birthday Cake Project SA, I knew I had to combine my passion with purpose. I baked a birthday cake for the children at the Durban Child and Youth Centre in Glenwood, and the experience changed me. Walking through those doors with a cake in my hands, I saw faces light up with hope. Science teaches me about healing the body, but baking for these children showed me how a simple cake can heal the heart. Every child deserves to feel celebrated on their birthday."

K

Krishnee Moodley

Baker · Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Thabo Mokoena

"I started as a donor, but after my first delivery to an old age home in Pretoria, I knew I had to do more. The elderly lady hugged me and said it was her first birthday cake in 40 years. I cried all the way home. This project changes lives — mine included."

T

Thabo Mokoena

Volunteer · Pretoria, Gauteng

Zanele Msibi

"Baking a cake for the children at Rossettenville was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. Seeing their faces light up when the candles were lit — I will never forget that moment. It reminded me that something so small can mean so much."

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Zanele Msibi

Baker · Johannesburg, Gauteng

Karin Rademeyer-Pretorius

"I teamed up with Andrew Pohlman from Partwise, who generously sponsored the cakes we delivered to Lukhanyiso Safe House in Knysna. It was a beautiful business collaboration for good — proof that when local companies and bakers come together, real impact happens. I try to make the cakes age-appropriate and as special as I can for each child, and the smiles on the children's faces make my day every single time. The Birthday Cake Project SA gave me a way to use my professional baking to give back, and I'm grateful for every opportunity to do so."

K

Karin Rademeyer-Pretorius

Baker · Lukhanyiso Safe House, Knysna area, Western Cape

"To some a cake can never make a difference — but the symbolism is that we all can give what we can to make a difference, however small, in another's life."

TBCPSA
The Future Batch

Beyond the Cake — Building Futures

A birthday cake is just the beginning. Our long-term vision is to create programmes that carry these children from childhood into empowered adulthood. Every contribution brings us one step closer.

Seedling

School Uniforms

Help a child walk into school with dignity. Your contribution provides school uniforms for orphaned and underprivileged children.

Rising

School Fees

Education is the pathway out of poverty. Fund a child's school fees and open doors that might otherwise remain closed forever.

Nourishing

Feeding Scheme

A child who eats is a child who learns. We are building a feeding scheme to ensure no child studies on an empty stomach.

Empowering

Job Readiness

From building resumes to funding interview outfits and transport — we walk alongside young adults as they step into the working world.

Support a Programme

Every contribution, however small, makes a lasting difference.

Find Us

Birthday Cake Angels across South Africa

We operate in multiple provinces. Use the map to find an active branch near you, or let us locate the closest one.

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors

Active Branches

Coming Soon

TBCPSA East London (Coming Soon)

East London, Eastern Cape

Get Involved

Join the Movement

More hands make for lighter work. Whether you bake for a living, as a hobby, or simply want to contribute — there is a place for you. Communities, individuals, businesses, and corporates can all join hands in offering a birthday cake for someone who deserves to feel special.

Location

Johannesburg, South Africa — operating across 4 provinces

Email

info@birthdaycakeprojectsa.org

Phone

+27 (0) 11 000 0000

"We have seen how much more joy there is in giving than receiving."

Volunteer or Enquire

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