Individual Philanthropy ANNUAL 2019

OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY

Perspectives and Stories of South African Philanthropy

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | A PROMOTING Promoting good philanthropic practice in SA SUPPORTING Supporting the growth and transformation of philanthropy in SA ADVANCING Advancing, supporting and promoting philanthropy in SA

We believe that committed and knowledgeable philanthropists can make a meaningful impact and facilitate change for the better in South Africa. By associating as IPASA, philanthropists and philanthropic foundations contribute to a learning agenda, enabling IPASA thought leadership amongst members, who come from diverse backgrounds and INDEPENDENT PHILANTHROPY ASSOCIATION SOUTH AFRICA practice. This facilitates collaboration and builds a culture of giving amongst South

Africans. The power of IPASA lies in its ability to bring organisations and communities EXTENDING THE REACH & IMPACT OF PHILANTHROPY together that would not otherwise connect.

To learn more about what we have to off er, visit www.ipa-sa.org.za

B |

IPASA A4 Ad-Draft 2.indd 1 2019/09/30 7:37 PM Editorial Board and Credits

ANNUAL 2019 Editorial Board Members

OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY Sarah Rennie Chair, Grindrod Family Centenary Trust and Chair of The Annual Review of South African Philanthropy is a the IPASA Council publication of the Independent Philanthropy Association South Africa (IPASA)

First published | October 2019 ISBN: 978-0-6399409-2-2 Mmabatho Maboya CEO, Cyril Ramaphosa Contact us Foundation Email: [email protected] Website: www.ipa-sa.org.za Tel: +27 83 276 9510 Address: Unit 307, 203 Park Corner, Cnr Bolton Road Bhekinkosi Moyo and Jan Smuts, Rosebank 2196, Johannesburg Adjunct Professor and Director, African Centre on Philanthropy Editor and Social Investment (ACPSI) Shelagh Gastrow at Wits Business School, Johannesburg Published by IPASA

Vuyiswa Sidzumo Consultant Editor Senior Programme Offi cer, Mark Paterson Southern Africa, The Ford Foundation Design and layout Michael Daries

Printing and binding Kult Creative Riaan Els CEO, The Carl & Emily Fuchs Foundation

This publication was made possible with the generous support of the Ball Family Foundation Linda Whitfi eld Trustee, The Harry Crossley IPASA Foundation INDEPENDENT PHILANTHROPY ASSOCIATION SOUTH AFRICA

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles contained in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily refl ect the position of IPASA.

Gail Campbell Copyright: The Independent Philanthropy Association South Africa. CEO, The Zenex Foundation You are welcome to copy parts of the document for non-profi t educational use, but the Annual Review of South African Philanthropy and the author of the article must be acknowledged in full.

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 1 Contents

Features

MESSAGE FROM THE RAITH PHILANTHROPY COUNTERING A 3 THE EDITOR 21 FOUNDATION 35 THROUGH SPORT 55 CULTURE OF IMPUNITY Social Justice Funder, Interview with Karl IN GOVERNMENT MESSAGE FROM Responsible Investor Westvig, Chair of the Philanthropy and 5 THE CHAIR OF IPASA and Shareholder JAG Foundation independent Activist journalism in support WHAT IS BOOK of democracy 7 PHILANTHROPY? 38 REVIEWS A Review of its Meaning and Purpose OUR FAMILY 40 PHILANTHROPY PHILANTHROPY JOURNEY 11 AND DATA Strengthening the Confronting the bond between family Silence DID YOU HEAR WHAT members through 24 I JUST SAID? foundation work TAXATION AND Developing 14 PHILANTHROPY Transformational THE LOVE OF Past, Present and Leadership in the 44 HUMANKIND Future Face of the Climate- Allan and Gill Gray’s change Crisis Philanthropic Journey THE POSSIBILITIES 18 OF DONOR STRENGTHENING IDEAS A JOURNEY OF COLLABORATION 29 PAEDIATRIC HEALTH 47 MATTER 58 LEARNING Infi nity Culinary CARE IN AFRICA The History of the Zenex Foundation’s Training The African Paediatric Oppenheimer Monitoring and Fellowship Memorial Trust Evaluation (M&E) Programme Experience COMMUNITY AN ARTISTIC DUET 50 PHILANTHROPY COMMENTS AND 33 Keeping Cape Town’s Supporting local 63 QUOTES opera and orchestra organisations and Thoughts from IPASA alive initiatives members

2 | Editorial Comment

Raising awareness of the work of independent philanthropy in South Africa

simple charitable giving towards a broadcast the contributions made by more strategic approach to the domestic corporate sector through transforming the systems that underpin its social investment programmes, but modern life and which many analysts philanthropy is, in its essence, private view as contributing to many of the money and therefore relatively little socio-economic challenges that we information about its activities has continue to face. In addition, although been disseminated through the media, traditional forms of philanthropy other than the occasional big story persist, such as giving by high-net- about high-net-worth individuals who worth individuals and private have committed a portion of their independent foundations, new forms of wealth to philanthropy. This lack of philanthropy have arisen, as may be coverage is partly due to reticence on seen in the growth of online giving the part of the “givers” who tend to platforms which enable many refrain from exposing themselves to individuals to participate and support the public, especially given the high issues and activities about which they levels of need in many South African are passionate. communities. But the lack of exposure By Shelagh Gastrow may also be caused by the media’s There has also been growth in the news values: good news is hard to sell. number of community foundations ORKING IN THE PHILANTHROPY with a local focus which seek to raise SECTOR OVER THE YEARS, it was resources to provide fi nancial support There has been growth always evident to me that for initiatives in their own communi- W in the number of community there was very little information ties. In addition, there has been a available to government, the corporate change from an instrumentalist foundations with a local sector, civil society, the media, approach to grant-making to an focus which seek to raise academia and the public at large about acknowledgement that there are many resources to provide fi nancial the state of philanthropy in South complex layers involved in producing Africa. This has resulted in change and that philanthropy is only support for initiatives in their misunderstandings about the role of part of that continuum. own communities. philanthropy and how it works, as well as expectations that philanthropic Against this complex backdrop, this money can simply be diverted to fi t Annual Review of South African In addition, many of the stories with government policy or the needs of Philanthropy is published by the associated with philanthropy don’t specifi c sectors. In addition, Independent Philanthropy Association really directly concern the givers as philanthropy has come under South Africa (IPASA) in the belief that much as the recipients. These are the increasing scrutiny globally around the work undertaken through the stories of what takes place on the issues of accountability and even philanthropic sector in South Africa is ground among the myriad possible abuse. Philanthropy and its broadly “good news” and should organisations and institutions practice continually evolve in the accordingly be made available to all supported by philanthropic funding. fast-changing, complex world in which stakeholder groups. Signifi cant These bodies can range from small we live. There has been a shift from resources have been made available to welfare organisations and non-profi ts 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 3 in diverse sectors, to think-tanks and the tip of the iceberg. There are many about the true moral value of current large anchor institutions such as hundreds more. Accordingly, the aim philanthropic practice. The Review universities. In addition, there is a here has been to off er a selection of further includes some personal stories growing trend towards collaboration accounts that, by focussing on of families who have made the decision with other entities. An increasing diff erent sectors in the national to formalise their giving in the form of number of collaborative projects community, provide a sense of the structured philanthropic foundations. bringing together philanthropy and great variety of philanthropic civil society, business and government endeavour in South Africa. I would like to take this opportunity to bodies have been established. In this thank the IPASA Editorial Board for context, the main purpose of this This Review includes an anchor article their guidance and support in this Review is to raise awareness of the about philanthropy by Bhekinkosi Moyo project. They include the Chair of the work and nature of independent of the African Centre for Philanthropy IPASA Council, Sarah Rennie of the philanthropy in South Africa; to provide and Social Investment (ACPSI) at Wits Grindrod Family Centenary Trust; a voice for philanthropy; and to Business School. It then explores Bhekinkosi Moyo of ACPSI; Mmabatho stimulate a giving culture through stories of how philanthropy has Maboya of the Cyril Ramaphosa showcasing role models in philanthropy. engaged in diff erent sectors such as Foundation; Vuyiswa Sidzumo of the Rather than adopting a highly academic health, education, sport, training, the Ford Foundation; Linda Whitfi eld of approach, this volume has deliberately arts, social justice and the environment. The Harry Crossley Foundation; Gail chosen to focus on stories of South In addition, the Review includes articles Campbell of the Zenex Foundation; African philanthropy to provide pertaining to issues that philanthropy is and Riaan Els of the Fuchs evidence through a rich tapestry of exploring such as its tax status in South Foundation. In addition, many thanks case studies that creates a picture of Africa; the shortage of data on to Louise Driver, IPASA Executive the possibilities and scope of giving. philanthropy across the country; the Director, and Lauren Roderick for their role of philanthropy in relation to ongoing assistance. The idea is that the value of these impact investment and shareholder stories will create interest and provide activism; the role of community Kindly note that the views expressed in a platform for philanthropy that is foundations; and the importance of this Review may not be IPASA’s own. SG both intentional and strategic. These monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in stories illustrate how some leveraging philanthropy’s eff ectiveness. Shelagh Gastrow is the Editor of The philanthropic initiatives are This volume also features reviews of Annual Review of South African implemented. However, they are just books asking fundamental questions Philanthropy.

The main purpose of this Review is to raise awareness of the work and nature of independent philanthropy in South Africa; to provide a voice for philanthropy; and to stimulate a giving culture through showcasing role models in philanthropy.

4 | Message from the Chair

A dynamic space

practical and innovative approaches and grant-making strategies that can to addressing the uncertainty, social achieve the greatest impact. Simply divides and unacceptable levels of put, more is expected from inequality and poverty that continue philanthropy – both from the to aff ect South Africa. philanthropists themselves and from the sectors within which they work. Philanthropy and giving are as old as The depth and urgency of history. They are rooted in a recognition contemporary multiple societal and of people’s shared humanity and, environmental problems demand this. increasingly, of humanity’s shared and There is a need to be well informed, to co-dependent existence with the self-evaluate and to innovate. This natural world. However, a more cannot be done in isolation. Networks institutional kind of philanthropy, in the like IPASA off er managers of form of foundations and trusts with philanthropic funds the opportunity to strategies, investment approaches, learn from each other in an By Sarah Rennie advisors and measured impacts is a environment of trust and mutual relatively recent historical respect and change their practices and phenomenon. The development and perspectives accordingly. In this regard, INCE ITS FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT IN growth of IPASA is rooted in this more IPASA is for the curious; for those 2015, IPASA has built on the recent context. willing to learn and wishing to deepen S legacy of the network forged by their understanding of their socio- the Private Philanthropy Circle to Globally and locally, the philanthropy economic contexts; and for those provide support and advice on, and sector is becoming more complex, seeking to improve their practices advocate for, philanthropy in South sophisticated and professional. Few through exposure to better ones. Africa. It has further sought to provide philanthropists now adopt a mere However, IPASA’s mission extends a platform for learning and “cheque-writing” approach to giving. beyond its function as an information networking among its members; Increasingly, philanthropists rely on resource enabling members to stay situate domestic philanthropy in the experts, researchers, evaluators and up-to-date in their thinking and broader African and international other professionals to advise them approaches to philanthropy. At its philanthropic contexts; and explore about how to forge sound investment heart, philanthropy is about a love of 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 5 humanity and off ers a profound sense the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation as its jointly produced by the Zenex of human connectedness. In line with interim chairperson. Shelagh Gastrow Foundation and Bridge. IPASA has also this philosophy, IPASA enables a and Amanda Bloch helped to run the sought increasingly to explore the coming together to talk, share, new institution’s programme and wider context in which South African collaborate, challenge, learn and aff airs from the offi ce of GastrowBloch philanthropists work, addressing, for change. This modus operandi both Philanthropies. Bringing with them example, the uncertainty, social divides expresses IPASA’s mission and why its PPC’s institutional memory, they and unacceptable levels of inequality members engaged in the practice of provided an invaluable source of and poverty that continue to aff ect the philanthropy in the fi rst place. knowledge and advice to the country. Speakers at its annual organisation’s newly elected council. symposiums have challenged The realisation of the need to establish By early 2016, IPASA comprised 26 delegates on some critical issues. In a national philanthropy association in members and was running a 2016, under the theme “Risk, South Africa dates from a donor programme of three peer-learning and responsibility and relationships”, conference which was held in Cape -sharing days each year, as well as an speakers and delegates explored how Town in 2010. Convened by the annual symposium. Most recently, in philanthropy could be disruptive. In non-profi t organisation (NPO) May 2019, IPASA took the next step in 2017, under the theme “Choices and Inyathelo: The South African Institute growth by appointing Louise Driver as resources”, symposium participants for Advancement with the support of its executive director. considered the kinds of choices that The Atlantic Philanthropies and other may be made in allocating resources. In donors, the meeting brought together 2018, under the theme “Philanthropy 90 people representing a broad range Since its inception, the unusual”, the discussion centred on of local and international foundations innovative approaches that may be involved in private philanthropy across association has continued to adopted by donors and grantees. The the country. A key outcome of the grow and explore ways in common thread running through the conference was the decision to which it can operate as a annual meetings has been the establish a network of local, private relevant, useful platform for importance of deepening the grant-makers, which would be funded philanthropic sector’s understanding of by members. Inyathelo was tasked learning and networking the country’s social problems and how with convening the group; and among its members. best these may be addressed. Amanda Bloch, who had organised the original conference, joined IPASA is a dynamic space. It has Shelagh Gastrow, then Executive Since its inception, the association has produced some important Director of Inyathelo, in coordinating a continued to grow and explore ways in publications, including submissions to Private Philanthropy Circle (PPC). which it can operate as a relevant, SARS on the tax breaks that should be useful platform for learning and off ered to philanthropic endeavours For the next four years, the PPC was networking among its members, and and the key document on donor run under the auspices of Inyathelo. situate South African philanthropy in collaboration by the Zenex Foundation The organisation sought to nurture a the broader African and international and Bridge. In addition, some fruitful community of independent local philanthropic contexts. The collaborations have been forged foundations and philanthropists and association’s early meetings focused among members, and many small but contribute towards the creation of a on donors’ internal practices and helpful moments of valuable sharing philanthropic movement in the country. building trust among its initial have occurred in the form of It did this by providing opportunities members. Common issues aff ecting introductions, projects, tools and for peer-learning and networking. It donor practice such as monitoring and ideas. Broadly, IPASA has remained explicitly sought to foster a evaluation; capacity building and true to the PPC’s original mission; to homegrown network of local, South grantee administration costs were extend the reach and impact of African philanthropists and foundations discussed. Formal submissions to the philanthropy in South Africa by although a number of international South African Revenue Service (SARS) building a thriving local philanthropic donors with offi ces in South Africa also and the National Treasury on the tax community; and the association’s became valued members of the group. issues aff ecting private philanthropy council and executive director remain The natural next step, to create a more were developed and submitted. In passionate about continuing to formal, permanent structure for the January 2016, the association implement this mission. SR group, was taken in May 2015, when facilitated the publication of a key the Independent Philanthropy document called “Learning and Sarah Rennie is the Chair of the IPASA Association of South Africa (IPASA) Working Together: A Framework for Council and Chair of the Grindrod was founded with Anthony Farr from Donor Collaboration”, which had been Family Centenary Trust

6 | A Review of the Meaning and Purpose of Philanthropy

What is philanthropy?

services in promoting development, in and defi nition of philanthropy depends addition to the benefi ts that may on the social norms and values of the accrue from fi nancial donations, particular society in which it is requires acknowledgment. A broad practised. Yet, like all substantive working defi nition of “philanthropy” in things, there remains an essential Africa should include acts performed at aspect to the practice that does not the community level, as well as by change from one society to the next. organisations in the non-profi t and What is this universal element? To an private sectors, that are geared extent, it may be revealed through our towards the public good. diff erent stories about how we have each tried to be of service to humanity Discussions on philanthropy, whether which represent our understanding of they are held in South Africa, the rest philanthropy and illustrate how we By Dr Bhekinkosi Moyo of the continent or elsewhere, generally have each expressed it.  end up as intellectual debates about semantics rather than philanthropy’s N CONSIDERING THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS purpose, mission and vision. The A broad working OF PHILANTHROPY, it is important to try meaning of the term “philanthropy” defi nition of “philanthropy” Iand reveal its essential nature while can get lost as a result. So, what do we in Africa should include acts considering how it relates to the understand by philanthropy and how various social milieux in which it is does our understanding of this practice performed at the community practised. In the African and South shape our responses to our daily level, as well as by African contexts, the division between societal challenges? There is no doubt organisations in the non- what are elsewhere regarded as either that everyone has had an encounter profi t and private sectors, “philanthropic” or “charitable” activities with philanthropy in some form or tends to collapse; and the role played another and can thus tell a story about that are geared towards the by the exchange of in-kind goods and it. Across the world, the understanding public good.

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 7 The Meaning of Philanthropy

In trying to defi ne philanthropy, it is useful to go back to its etymology, looking at the origins of the word and tracing how its meaning has changed over time. The word philanthropy comes from Greek philantropia, which is derived from philo – meaning loving – and anthropos – meaning mankind. Accordingly, we have come to understand philanthropy as meaning kindliness, humanity, benevolence, and love for mankind or love of humanity among other iterations. Over the years, this understanding has shifted and the modern use of the term refers to the altruistic concern for human welfare, which may be expressed through donations of money, property, goods, services or work to needy persons. The defi nition has also been extended to describe organisations that are devoted to helping others or are established for the public good. Robert Payton, founder nature; while philanthropy is used of the Lilly Family School of broadly to refer to eff orts, institutions Many people in Africa struggle with and actions that are meant to improve the term “philanthropy”. They may Philanthropy in the US, the quality of life of humanity. As a prefer words such as “giving”, defi nes philanthropy quite result, acts that relieve immediate “sharing”, “kindness”, “solidarity” and broadly as voluntary action human suff ering tend to be treated as “charity”. However, the reality is that for the public good. charity, for example, the humanitarian none of these words captures the responses to natural disasters and richness of the phenomenon. A name emergencies; while actions to promote is important to the extent that it activities and institutions that today development are viewed as identifi es something, but a name can would be considered “philanthropic”. philanthropy. This has also led to also fall short in that it does not tell us Philanthropy only replaced charity in institutions either being viewed as much about the phenomenon’s nature. the Encyclopedia of the Social charitable, for example, the Gift of the In Africa and South Africa, diff erent Sciences in 1967. And, in law, the terms Givers; or philanthropic, such as those communities have produced a range “charity” and “charitable that work in health and education, and of terms in their local languages to organisations” are still widely used. the recreational and cultural spheres. refer to philanthropy. However, the fact that philanthropy is named The distinction between the terms Another commonly held view of diff erently by diff erent communities “philanthropy” and “charity” has philanthropy is that it is primarily does not change what it is. emerged over time. The word “charity” concerned with the distribution of comes from Latin, caritas, which funds and grants. However, in the Charity and Philanthropy means love of others. In Hebrew, an African context, although money is equivalent is the term tzedakah, which important, it is not the only crucial It is also important to take account of is also translated to mean commodity that may be given. African the historical and cultural changes righteousness. African traditional resources that may be exchanged to that have shaped the use of the term religions and other religions across the promote development can include “philanthropy” and its meaning. There world have similar terms to defi ne acts in-kind goods and services, as well as was a time when the term was of kindness. Today, there are clear money. This must be taken into account synonymous with “charity”. In the attempts to distinguish charity from in defi ning and framing philanthropy in United States (US), for example, the philanthropy. Charity is now viewed the African context. One of the word “charity” was for many years the narrowly as representing only those implications of this is that the defi nition most widely used to describe the eff orts that are of an ameliorative of philanthropy should include a

8 | A Review of the Meaning and Purpose of Philanthropy

broader spectrum of eff orts, from acts foundations; endowments; support for Dr Bhekinkosi Moyo is Adjunct of simple charity to those that enhance the arts; buildings; special events; Professor and Director, African Centre the quality of life. In the South African fundraising; scholarships and awards. on Philanthropy and Social Investment and African context, philanthropy may Under Payton’s defi nition, the (ACPSI) at Wits Business School, best be viewed as actions taken by the non-profi t sector in South Africa may Johannesburg non-profi t sector and other actors be termed philanthropic. operating outside the state and the References marketplace for the public good. Philanthropy and the Non-profi t Sector Acting for the Public Good • African Grantmakers Network (AGN) By focusing on the kind of stakeholders (2013). Sizing the Field. Frameworks for a and their purpose, this defi nition of By contrast, Lester Salamon, Director New Narrative of African Philanthropy. philanthropy encompasses the full of the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Johannesburg: AGN. spectrum of private actions that may be Society Studies in the US, gives a • Payton, R. L., and Moody, M.P. (2008). taken to improve the human condition, narrow defi nition of philanthropy. He Understanding Philanthropy. Its Meaning from those that ameliorate to those sees the practice as a part of the world and Purpose. Bloomington and Indiana: that transform. Such a defi nition of non-profi t organisations, which he Indiana University Press. encompasses both actions that may be defi nes as formally registered; private • Salamon, L.M. (1999). America’s defi ned as “charitable” such as those to as opposed to governmental; not Non-Profi t Sector: A Primer, second relieve the suff ering of others by profi t-distributing; self-governing; edition. New York: Foundation Center. meeting basic needs for food, shelter voluntary; and of public benefi t. Only • Illife, J. (1987). The African Poor: A History. and clothing, as well as those that have the last two features of his defi nition of Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. come to be defi ned as “philanthropic”, philanthropy coincide with Payton’s. • Reich, R. (2018). Just Giving: Why that is, eff orts to improve the quality of Philanthropy is Failing Democracy and lives of others in the community by How It Can Do Better. New Jersey: providing new cultural, educational, In the African and South Princeton University Press. recreational and other opportunities. African context, a working • Powell, W.W., and Steinberg, R. (2006). Under this broad defi nition, many South The Nonprofi t Sector: A Research Africans engage in philanthropy as defi nition of the practice of Handbook, second edition. New Haven individuals or as part of organisations, philanthropy should include and London: Yale University Press. foundations and companies. acts performed at the • Fieman, S. (1998). “Reciprocity and community level, as well as Assistance in Precolonial Africa”, in Voluntarism and Philanthropy Ilchman, W.F., Kartz, S.N., and Queen II, by organisations in the E.L. (eds.) Philanthropy in the World’s In this regard, two of the world’s non-profi t and private Traditions. Bloomington and leading thought-leaders in the sectors, which are geared Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, academic study of philanthropy off er towards the public good. pp. 3-24. contrasting views on how the practice • Gregory, G.G. (2014). The Rise and Fall of and its purpose may be defi ned. Robert Philanthropy in East Africa: The Asian Payton, founder of the Lilly Family According to these contrasting views, it Contribution. London: Transaction School of Philanthropy in the US, is possible to defi ne philanthropy either Publishers. defi nes philanthropy quite broadly as as broadly encompassing all non-state • Moyo, B. (2013). “Trends, Innovations and voluntary action for the public good. and non-market eff orts to promote the Partnerships for Development in African Under his defi nition, philanthropy public good or as little more than a Philanthropy”, in Aina, T.A., and Moyo, B. includes actions such as voluntary constitutive element of the non-profi t (eds.) Giving to Help, Helping to Give: The giving and voluntary service. The sector. However, both views indicate Context and Politics of African implication is that one can give of that philanthropy is defi ned according Philanthropy. Dakar: TrustAfrica and money or goods, as well as giving of to how it is experienced by individuals Amalion Publishing, pp. 37-64. time, intellectual capital and networks. in a particular social milieu. In this • Moyo, B. (2010). “Philanthropy in Africa: Giving and service occupy key regard and in the African and South Functions, Status, Challenges and positions in this defi nition. Payton also African context, a working defi nition of Opportunities”, in Macdonald, N., and De includes voluntary association as a the practice of philanthropy should Borms, L. (eds.) Global Philanthropy. vehicle or instrument for giving under include acts performed at the London: MF Publishing, pp. 259-269. the defi nition of voluntary action. community level, as well as by • Habib, A. and Maharaj, B. (2008). Giving Accordingly, the practice of organisations in the non-profi t and and Solidarity: Resource Flows for Poverty philanthropy can encompass gifts; private sectors, which are geared Alleviation and Development in South grants; volunteers; trustees; towards the public good. BM Africa. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 9 ACPSI Ad-Draft 1.ai 1 2019/08/20 4:05 PM The Size and Scope of Philanthropy

Philanthropy and Data: Confronting the Silence

including a lack of transparency on tax”, that is how those with fi rst- the part of the fi nancial, legal and generation wealth give to their families other professional entities that control and home communities. many philanthropic funds; the reticence of philanthropists There have been a number of attempts themselves and the confi dentiality of to measure philanthropy and giving in the information provided to the South Africa. Nedbank Private Wealth government for tax purposes. has regularly produced The Giving Report, which reviews the giving Capturing data around the size and practices of high-net-worth individuals. scope of philanthropy, which has been In 2016, the National Treasury an ongoing eff ort globally, usually commissioned a Review of Philanthropy entails major research projects which Within South Africa in an eff ort to seek to estimate the scale and kind of establish the scope of the practice; philanthropic giving in diff erent understand private contributions to countries. Within this research, the development projects in the country; By Shelagh Gastrow defi nition of what constitutes and assess where opportunities for philanthropy itself is often contested. collaboration with the government Some researchers focus on all forms of could occur. NUMBER OF EFFORTS HAVE BEEN giving, while others focus on more MADE TO ASSESS THE SIZE AND formal grant-making by various entities The Charities Aid Foundation produced ASCOPE OF PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS including the corporate sector, private a global report in 2018 which included IN SOUTH AFRICA. However, although the philanthropists, community foundations South Africa. Inyathelo: The South reports that have been produced as a and even government agencies. In African Institute for Advancement result have revealed some interesting addition, there is a shift in the way produces an annual report on data about philanthropy nationally, people are viewing philanthropy, philanthropic giving to South African they have largely failed to provide a particularly in Africa, with increasing universities. There have also been other comprehensive picture of the scale interest in community giving; “gifting”; attempts to unpack what is happening and nature of the practice across the self-help; the concept of ubuntu and its in the sector, including a report country. Several factors have inhibited application in communities, especially in produced by GastrowBloch the compilation of such data, times of crises; and the idea of a “black Philanthropies in 2016 entitled Form 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 11 and Function: A View of the Financial The Charities Aid Foundation’s and Operational Practices of South World Giving Index, 2018 African Private Philanthropic R1.71 billion Foundations. While not providing a This global research report asked three RECEIVED BY THE ELEVEN UNIVERSITIES IN 2017 completely comprehensive overview, basic questions: 5,4% these eff orts have helped to reveal • Have you helped a stranger? 1,9% trends in South African philanthropy • Have you donated money to a over time. charity? • Have you volunteered your time? 8,3% Nedbank Private Wealth’s The Giving Report, 2016 However, the index reported little useful 7,9% information for South Africans other n = 10 49,4% This report, which was the third such than that the country ranked 40th focussing on the giving practices of overall globally, although researchers South African high-net-worth individuals, may pore over the pages of detailed 22,7% provided some interesting statistics: data in the index relating to the three • There were about 105 000 high-net- questions to assess how individual countries were rated according to each and whether their score had improved 4,4%

or not from one year to the next. In PHILANTHROPIC FUNDING BY PURPOSE – 2017 relation to the overall rankings, a ±105 000 n Student funding (49,4%) n Teaching and learning (8,3%) Infrastructure (4,4%) Unencumbered (1,9%) HIGH-NET-WORTH INDIVIDUALS IN 2015 number of other African countries n n n Research (22,7%) n Other initiatives (5,4%) scored higher than South Africa, n Community engagement (7,9%) worth individuals in 2015. including Kenya (8th), Nigeria (16th), SOURCE: Inyathelo, 2018 Annual Survey of Philanthropy in • Overall, 88% of them donated time, Liberia (19th), Sierra Leone (20th), Higher Education money or goods that year. Zambia (21st) and The Gambia (31st). • Social and community development The report indicated that: (69%) and religious institutions (41%) Review of Philanthropy Within • A total of R1.71 billion was received were the causes most commonly South Africa by the eleven universities in 2017, of supported. which private philanthropy • 64% of the support provided went to This 2016 study requested by the contributed R1.1 billion (up from non-profi t organisations, while only National Treasury and undertaken by R435 million in 2013). 3% went to advocacy groups and International Consulting Expertise with • 9 357 donors made contributions to political parties. funds from the Delegation of the the eleven institutions. • Nearly half of the givers supported European Union (EU) to South Africa, • 72% of the total came from South benefi ciaries for longer than fi ve estimated that 35 million South African sources, a major shift from years and 22% supported them for Africans over the age of 18 donated a previous reports which showed that their entire lives. total of R22 billion a year “to a wide the majority of funding came from • 5% of givers had established giving range of recipients from faith-based abroad. vehicles, such as a trust or foundation. organisations and schools, to charities • Traditional universities comprised and individuals”. 64% of the sample, but received 91% of the funds. 2018 Annual Survey of • 42% of the funds came from trusts Philanthropy in Higher Education, and foundations, the largest published by Inyathelo proportion of the funding. BENEFICIARIES • The corporate sector contributed Social and community development (69%) and religious institutions (41%) were the causes This research focused on eleven South 25% of the total in 2017, compared supported most often and which received the most funding (33% and 17% of total funding respectively). African universities and how much with 14% in 2013. funding they received from donors. • Individual donations increased from

5% Although the title refers to philanthropy, 4% of the total in 2013 to 20% in 2017. the funds came from a wide variety of • 49% of the donor income was sources including individuals; bequests; tagged for student funding; 23% for FORMALISED STRUCTURES businesses; trusts and foundations; research and 8% each for Only 5% of givers executed their giving bilateral funding; multilateral aid and community engagement and through a trust or foundation. development funding; civil society; and teaching and learning. 4% was

SOURCE: Nedbank Private Wealth, The Giving Report III, 2015 religious organisations. allocated for infrastructure.

12 | The Size and Scope of Philanthropy

Form and Function: A View of Although the research eff orts detailed country is massive and individuals do the Financial and Operational above off er a number of interesting not want to be overwhelmed by Practices of South African facts, they generally failed to provide requests for money. As a result, little, if Private Philanthropic a broad understanding of the scale any, publicity is produced to highlight Foundations, published by and nature of philanthropy in South individual giving. Some independent GastrowBloch Philanthropies Africa. There are a number of reasons foundations have websites, but even on why it is so diffi cult to undertake a these, there is little or no data about the This report, undertaken in 2016, comprehensive, accurate refl ection of scale of their giving although they may provided a snapshot into the workings independent philanthropic giving in identify focus areas for grant-making. of 21 private foundations in South South Africa, separating this practice As a result, researchers have largely Africa. It explored foundation from corporate social investment failed to obtain solid data about governance; fi nancial management; (CSI) and the support provided by structured philanthropy. and grant-making practices. It made a other grant-making entities such as number of key fi ndings: the lotteries. Third, South African tax information is, • The collective annual grantmaking by law, confi dential. In other countries spend of the 21 participating First, a great number of philanthropic it is possible to undertake research foundations was R763.8 million, of funds are held by banks; fi nancial using information gleaned from tax which R193.5 million came from services companies; auditors; lawyers returns, but not so in South Africa. In unendowed foundations. and other professional entities. These this regard, it might be possible for • Annual grant-making spend for the often take the form of trusts the South African Revenue Service individual foundations ranged from established through a bequest or (SARS) to undertake research by R300 000 to R125 million. within family offi ces. There is little looking at non-profi t tax returns, but it • On average, endowed foundations paid transparency as to how many of these is unclear whether they are able to out between 4% to 5% of their capital. are managed; the amount of funding distinguish between operational • All of the foundations funded held by the companies concerned; non-profi t organisations and grant- grantee operational costs. whether grants are actually made from making bodies. • 66% of them provided for general these funds and, if and when they are, purposes/undesignated funding. to whom they are issued. It can be Solid data on South African • 66% had a permanently invested diffi cult, even impossible, to source the philanthropy may well continue to capital base. list of trustees safeguarding the use of evade future research attempts. • 12 of the foundations funded these funds, who are paid for their However, it is to be hoped that the education projects; six supported services from the capital sum held in establishment of organisations such as health initiatives; six funded social trust – although all of these funds will the Independent Philanthropy justice work; three fi nanced feature at least one professional Association of South Africa (IPASA) environmental organisations; fi ve representative from the holding will, in time, encourage a level of supported entrepreneurship; seven company among their trustees. transparency that would enable some funded welfare programmes; and useful research to emerge that could fi ve fi nanced the arts. Second, many South Africans prefer to inform and guide all stakeholders who keep their giving anonymous. Often, have an interest in philanthropy in the even within the same social circles, little country. As the pressure grows for discussion takes place around personal increased transparency, it will be R193.5 million philanthropy. Part of the reason for this important to undertake an integrated, GRANTS FROM UNENDOWED FOUNDATIONS is that the need for resources in the comprehensive research initiative.

A key benefi t of good research on the 4.5 size and scope of philanthropy and its 4 4 4 4 impact on South African society, 3.5 3 would be the ability to showcase its 2015 COLLECTIVE 3 3 3 ANNUAL 2.5 outcomes and thereby encourage the GRANTMAKING 2 growth of a strong philanthropic 1.5 movement in the country. SG SPEND 1 0.5 R763.8 MILLION 0 Shelagh Gastrow of Gastrow Consulting < 3m 3-10m 11-20m 21-50m 51-100m > 100m provides advisory services to the philanthropy, higher education and civil SOURCE: GastrowBloch Philanthropies, Form and Function: A View of the Financial and Operational Practices of South African Private Philanthropic Foundations, 2016 society sectors.

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 13 Taxation and Philanthropy: Past, Present and Future

language for their defi nitions. to address social needs, but would also Commencing in 2001, South Africa have the eff ect of facilitating introduced innovative tax legislation redistribution of wealth without which was amongst the fi rst to adopt recourse to coercion or expropriation. the notion of “public benefi t organisations” and “public benefi t Once upon a time, no one paid income activities”. These phrases are the subject tax. In ancient Greece and ancient of detailed statutory defi nitions, which Rome, various taxes were levied, have replaced inherited, obscure, particularly in time of war to pay for the colonial tax laws governing charities and military. These taxes were based on philanthropic endeavour. However, headcounts; levels of consumption; net notwithstanding subsequent legislative worth; and even imported goods, which amendments, South Africa’s tax laws was perhaps a precursor of customs By Richard Rosenthal still contain a number of drafting duty. But there was no tax on income. anomalies which prejudice NPOs, particularly such as are involved with South Africa’s tax laws OR CENTURIES IN MANY COUNTRIES the arts, music, theatre and the heritage TAX EXEMPTION HAS TRADITIONALLY sector. They also serve to discourage still contain a number of FBEEN EXTENDED TO RELIGIOUS AND rather than encourage the raising of draſt ing anomalies which PHILANTHROPIC ORGANISATIONS. However, funds through enterprise initiatives and prejudice NPOs, particularly most tax laws have diffi culty in defi ning their own eff orts. The tax structure also such as are involved with the precisely what is meant by “religion” needs to give greater recognition and and “charity”, and until recently have support for volunteerism and arts, music, theatre and the largely relied upon antiquated vague philanthropy. This would not only serve heritage sector.

14 | Taxation and Philanthropy

as “charitable, educational and benefi t”. The report continued: “As a ecclesiastical institutions of a public result of the application of this character”. The same mantra was medieval language, and in the absence repeated in successive tax laws for of any statutory defi nitions, the the best part of the following 100 interpretation and implementation of years, although the term these provisions has imposed a “ecclesiastical” was eventually substantial interpretative burden upon substituted with the term “religious”. the Commissioner.” (I should confess that I am the unrepentant author of In 1998, South Africa’s new democratic this masterly understatement.) government, mindful of the need to review, adapt, and modernise It is no exaggeration to say that the apartheid-era legislation, appointed a resulting amendments to the country’s commission under the chairmanship Income Tax Act, which came into eff ect of Professor Michael Katz. Part of the in 2001, represented a sea change and commission’s brief was to consider were the fi rst substantive attempt by and advise the government with the South African legislature to reference to possible changes to fi scal reformulate ancient, basic fi scal legislation to achieve “a more concepts aff ecting “charities” which supportive fi scal environment for were fi rst drafted in England four Non-Profi t Organisations”. In its Ninth centuries earlier. In the interim, the Interim Report, the Katz Commission courts of various countries, including drew attention to the “antiquated South Africa’s, had continued to refl ect In fact, income tax is a relatively recent language” of the existing tax laws, upon the meaning of the original text innovation, fi rst introduced in 1799, which, in its view, “no longer refl ect a of Britain’s Charitable Uses Act of 1601, when Britain’s then-prime minister, contemporary understanding of which was enacted during the reign of William Pitt the Younger, declared that development, altruism, or public Elizabeth I. Jurists across the world  it was necessary as a “temporary war measure”. Thereafter, apart from a moratorium between 1816 and 1842, The resulting amendments to the South Africa’s Income Tax when the new form of tax was briefl y abolished, this fi scal plague has been Act, which came into eff ect in 2001, represented a sea change continuously visited upon us; and and were the fi rst substantive attempt by the country’s governments now rely on it as the legislature to reformulate ancient, basic fi scal concepts primary means to satisfy their aff ecting “charities” which were fi rst draſt ed in England four prodigious fi nancial appetites. centuries earlier. Interestingly, when the British Parliament enacted its first Income Tax Act in 1799, trusts established “for charitable purposes” were exempted. The principle of fiscal immunity for philanthropic endeavour was subsequently replicated throughout Europe and enthusiastically adopted by the United States and Canada. It was also introduced in Britain’s colonies, and what were euphemistically described as “the dominions beyond the seas”, which included the Cape of Good Hope, and its eventual successor, the Union of South Africa. Accordingly, section 5(c) of South Africa’s first post-Union Income Tax Act, No. 28 of 1914, exempted what were described

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 15 pored over the increasingly dated text Commission. Thus, in 2000, it enacted the like will probably continue to be of the Preamble to this Act, which a highly innovative tax dispensation for excluded from the benefi t of tax- defi ned “charitable” as meaning: charities, which were henceforth to be deductible donations, which is described as “public benefi t generously granted to other PBOs the relief of aged, impotent and poor organisations (PBOs)” whose good working in areas such as animal people, maintenance of sick and works were henceforth to be described welfare, and even the education of the maimed soldiers and mariners, as “public benefi t activities”. public regarding fi nancial services and schools of learning, pre-schools, and products. Moreover, the obscure SARS scholars in universities, repair of rules which militate against PBOs bridges, ports, havens, churches, South Africa’s tax deriving income from what is termed seabanks and highways, education structure needs to give impermissible “trading” are likely to and preferment of orphans, relief, remain in place, at least until the stock or maintenance for houses of greater recognition to the present adverse economic conditions correction, marriages of poor maids, importance of encouraging have abated. aid or ease of any poor inhabitants ... and rewarding voluntarism and philanthropy, thereby More broadly, a number of fi scal In 1891, seeking to clarify the meaning proposals have been suggested for of “charitable purpose”, a certain Lord also facilitating a process of fostering growth, job creation and MacNaghten in a landmark case redistribution without greater economic equity. Some have recognised four categories of reliance upon expropriation; called for bolder interventionist fi scal charitable activity which were to be strategies, which could include a granted exemption, namely: “the relief and giving greater meaning wealth tax; an income tax surcharge; an of poverty”; “the advancement of to the promise of “a better increase in VAT; or even some kind of education”; “the advancement of life for all”. restitution levy. For others, the religion”; and “other purposes priorities are to maintain fi scal benefi cial to the community”. One discipline and economic equilibrium, learned commentary, The Law and Almost 20 years have passed since the and to instill confi dence among Practice relating to Charities (Hubert enactment of the PBO legislation domestic and foreign investors, as the Picarda, 1999) commented that regime, which has subsequently been best means of growing the economy, although the law of charities has amended a number of times, and has increasing tax revenues, and progressed considerably since the days periodically been scrutinised by addressing the critical need for jobs. of Lord MacNaghten, fi ndings in the several fi scal luminaries and case of Income Tax Special Purposes commissions, the most recent of It has also been argued that, apart Commissioners v Pemsel, “It is still not which was the Davis Tax Committee. from levying new and increased taxes possible to give an exhaustive list of This committee commented on a against income, capital, and charitable objects.” The commentary number of diffi culties and anomalies consumption, South Africa’s tax added that “any attempted which had been identifi ed by SARS structure needs to give greater classifi cation will include a sweeping- and by the submissions that had been recognition to the importance of up head to cover miscellaneous objects presented to Judge Dennis Davis. It encouraging and rewarding which have been held to be charitable”. remains to be seen what legislative voluntarism and philanthropy, thereby It continued: “No substitute defi nition changes may follow from the also facilitating a process of has ever been proposed that has committee’s recommendations, but redistribution without reliance upon commanded general approval, and given the dire fi scal drought and expropriation; and giving greater even were such a defi nition to be economic crisis that currently faces meaning to the promise of “a better enacted, there would always be frontier our government, it is unlikely that life for all”. RR territory where disputes would arise.” there will be any material tax concessions made to the philanthropy Richard Rosenthal is an attorney who Introduction of the term Public sector in the immediate future. has recently retired after more than half Benefi t into legislation in a century of specialisation in the fi eld of South Africa Examples of anomalies which philanthropy and the non-profi t sector. surprisingly persist in the tax legislation Undaunted by such semantic include the discrimination which References misgivings, South Africa’s new currently prejudices “youth leadership democratic Parliament embarked on a and development programmes”. • Picarda, H. (1999). The Law and Practice brave, new fi scal enterprise in line with Similarly, “cultural” PBOs, which focus relating to Charities, third edition. the recommendations of the Katz on music, art, libraries, museums and (London: Butterworths).

16 |

The Possibilities of Donor Collaboration

Infinity Culinary Training (ICT), a Cape Town based non-profit chef blessing. We held yard sales in the U.S. school, has been supported through a collaboration of donors from I asked every friend, American and the philanthropic and corporate sectors. South African, for whatever they could spare. Our meagre bank balance strengthened our resolve, compelling wrong people can ruin any worthwhile us to press on with our ideas and our story, and any story can be made round-the-clock eff ort to value our better when working with kindred human capital over fi nancial capital. spirits. The magic happens, of course, when both come together, and a We concentrated on the structure of powerful, profound story is realised by the organisation, ensuring that every a creative esprit de corps. That has action we took focused on the been my great fortune in my work with individual needs of each student, Infi nity Culinary Training (ICT). We, while ensuring that they were versed together with our supporters and and equipped with the established contributors, provide students with the standards and practices of the basic cooking skills, professional tools, professional kitchen. Each student, and essential life skills necessary to after careful vetting, had to be gain immediate employment in the admitted tuition-free, otherwise none hospitality industry. After just twelve could aff ord to attend. The most weeks, our students become able to important key, however, was that each By Barry Berman support their families and can begin student received the necessary moving toward long-term self-reliance. personal guidance, attention and nurturing to allow him or her to PRIMARY AND ONGOING COMPONENT ICT began in 2009 with a grant of R18 embrace the ICT culture that was TO ICT’S SUCCESS IS THEIR 000 from The Gavin Relly Educational being created: a culture of eff ort, APHILOSOPHY OF BUILDING AND Trust. The initiative had no business fortitude, aspiration, failure-as-a- NURTURING A COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT plan or proof-of-concept. The money learning-tool, achievement and, as a between themselves and the was off ered on the basis of the idea’s result, empowerment. philanthropic and corporate sectors appeal, along with the faith established who support them. In 10 years, ICT has through my new friendship with graduated over 500 students. This case Georgina Hamilton, one of the trustees. Too much money at the study shows what can be done through start of a project can stifl e a collaborative approach. We found a free, temporary space in innovation, while enough Cape Town’s District Six. Friends money at the right time The legendary American fi lm director, brought pots and pans. Eleven John Frankenheimer, once said to me: students who wanted to learn how to propels innovation. “It’s more important who you work cook – and who desperately needed to with than what you work on.” work – were gathered. Twelve weeks I quickly learned an invaluable lesson: later, eight of the eleven had graduated too much money at the start of a John was in the twilight of his career. I with jobs. Some of them today have project can stifl e innovation, while was in mid-career as a Hollywood travelled the world and are head chefs. enough money at the right time screenwriter, still operating in the belief One has started his own successful propels innovation. There have been that the story one tells is what matters business. Throughout ICT’s fi rst six three main “right times” in ICT’s history. most. John’s point was that, in a years, we scraped by on very little The fi rst came in 2015, when the Mary collaborative art form, working with the money – which turned out to be a Oppenheimer & Daughters Foundation

18 | Infi nity Culinary Training

granted us a crucial, one-time The highest goals of and support of all Woolworths donation, that allowed the school, for philanthropy are achieved departments and personnel. We were the very fi rst time, to plan more than over the moon! six weeks ahead. It allowed us to when true partnerships conceive of a future. blossom through shared Our third monumental blessing came purpose. Not for a moment when one of our board members, The second moment came after a did we view these respected lawyer Jill Singer, introduced friend introduced me to Zyda Rylands, us to Bernard Osrin, who, in turn, then Woolworths’ Managing Director: burgeoning relationships as introduced us to Linda Whitfi eld of The Foods. I was overseas at the time, so mere resources. Harry Crossley Foundation. By that we spoke on the phone. After 30 time, we had relocated to the Woolies minutes of discussion, during which Building on Adderley Street, which Mr she learned the brief history of ICT, Ms Osrin and Ms Whitfi eld visited. Almost Rylands made a bold decision on the immediately, the foundation committed spot. “Woolworths wants to supply all – and has remained committed – to of your food,” she said. Imagine that. much needed, substantial support. Suddenly, not only was 25% of our operating budget paid for, but our The highest goals of philanthropy are students would now be working with achieved when true partnerships some of the highest quality ingredients blossom through shared purpose. Not available in South Africa, enabling them for a moment did we view these to produce the best meals possible. burgeoning relationships as mere Woolworths executives visited ICT and resources. We were working with the participated in many joyful interactions people of the Mary Oppenheimer & with the students. We had by then Daughters Foundation, Woolworths moved to the masonic lodge in and The Harry Crossley Foundation, Pinelands, where we rented our kitchen who, along with our other caring and classroom. The Freemasons were contributors such as Africa Spice, Core great to us. But transport for the So, what did the Woolies people do? Catering Supplies, Nashua Tygerberg, students, mostly coming from the Cape They off ered to build us a new home: Crocs SA, and Ecolab, to name a few, Flats, was a challenge, and the building 200m2 of fully equipped premises in all of whom are helping to pull the oars itself provided no physical room to Cape Town’s CBD at no cost to us, rent through the water. And we are all expand the school. and rate-free, with the full kindness getting somewhere together.

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 19 In ICT’s early days, we graduated outset. No waste. Take nothing for ICT is a story that started small, but 30-40 people a year. Today, we are granted. By producing results, and which has fl ourished into the stories of graduating 80-100. We foresee that with full transparency, our school 500 young South Africans who now number doubling again within the next earns the trust of our contributors on have new hope and belief in three years. In September 2019 we will a daily basis. We believe strategic themselves and are equipped with the celebrate our 10th birthday and the fiscal conservatism promotes tools to aff ect the course of future graduation of our 500th student! maximum human achievement. generations. And there are many more stories to come. Our teachers are ICT graduates, Not only have Woolworths and The providing incomparable leadership to, Harry Crossley Foundation now made I’ll never forget my time with Mr and acting as role-models for, each multi-year fi nancial commitments to Frankenheimer. He taught me that the new student. Megan Kruger, Jill ICT, American fi lm star Denzel story must be important. But that Singer and I have been members of Washington also recently made a without the proper people to execute ICT’s pro bono Board of Directors ten-year commitment, which was it, it may never be told. since day one. Melinda Wiggins, our followed by ongoing commitments Director of Operations & Culinary from a number of other American Accordingly, we off er our deepest Arts, has been with the organisation contributors, including The Jay Pritzker gratitude to all who are, or who have since 2011. We remain in touch with Foundation. Our fundraising eff orts been, part of ICT’s quest for a growing nearly all our graduates to provide continue, of course. Now in our and stronger South Africa. BB ongoing career, business, and life eleventh year, we see no end to our counselling. An enduring part of ICT’s possible reach, and to the many more, Barry Berman is ICT’s Co-Founder, philosophy is to spend money now warm, mutually benefi cial relationships Executive Director, and a member of its and forever exactly as we did at the with contributors who are yet to come. Board of Directors.

ICT is a story that started small, but which has fl ourished into the stories of 500 young South Africans who now have new hope and belief in themselves and are equipped with the tools to aff ect the course of future generations.

20 | Responsible Investment

The RAITH Foundation Social Justice Funder, Responsible Investor and Shareholder Activist By Audrey Elster resources that it was able to dedicate broadly in the social justice sector. The to promoting responsible investing (RI) belief was this was the best way to AVING DECIDED IN 2010 TO FOCUS ITS – the foundation remains primarily a make lasting change for a better world FUNDING TO PROMOTE SOCIAL grantmaker, rather than an activist in South Africa. For RAITH, social HJUSTICE, THE RAITH FOUNDATION body – RAITH soon came to realise the justice means building a more became increasingly aware of the need importance of building strategic equitable society, where everyone has to address the contradiction between partnerships and advocating its access to the same opportunities and is the goals of its grantees and the position through the media, as well as treated fairly and with dignity. RAITH practices of some of the fi rms from the need to continue to engage and spends approximately R70m on grants which, as a shareholder, it drew its persuade corporates to adopt more in the sector annually. These funds are wealth. Accordingly, it adopted the role sustainable approaches. derived from its investments, which are of an activist shareholder, interrogating primarily held on the Johannesburg the actions of the, at times, secretive The RAITH Foundation is a private Stock Exchange (JSE). companies in which it had a say and South African philanthropy, established seeking to exert pressure on them to in 2001. After initial investments in From the outset, the potential adopt responsible environmental, scholarships, arts and culture, and contradictions of funding for social social and governance (ESG) practices. technology, the decision was taken, in justice and investing in companies In order to leverage the limited 2010, to focus the foundation’s funding listed on the JSE were clear to the 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 21 foundation. The most obvious example precisely in order to become a process for which it enlisted the support being its funding of environmental shareholder activist. Divestment is often of consultants to assist in the review justice work, while investing in one of not a useful tool when you are a small and highlight any areas of concern. the biggest polluters in the world: the shareholder, though it can be if you are South African fuel supplier Sasol. It was part of a bigger divestment action; the Second, RAITH set an agenda for therefore inevitable and even necessary latter is a relatively new approach in engagement with companies in its for RAITH to decide on an approach South Africa. For RAITH, an important portfolio in an eff ort to encourage which would attempt to mitigate the fi rst step to becoming a shareholder accountability and transparency, risk of its investments negatively activist was to take back the voting particularly in relation to ESG issues. impacting on the progress made power it had given over to its asset This has included writing to, and through its funding. managers. This required adopting a meeting with, mining companies such as African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), Responsible shareholding South32 and Impala Platinum, as well For RAITH, an important as the banks. The foundation has However, responsible, or mission- fi rst step to becoming a requested copies of annual general aligned, investing was not an area of shareholder activist was to meeting (AGM) minutes from the expertise in the foundation and so take back the voting power it mines in an eff ort to hold them more began a process of engagement with accountable for the promises they many independent and leading had given over to its asset make. It has also asked for copies of thinkers in the fi eld, including those managers. This required their Social and Labour Plans (SLPs) in from the impact-investing and adopting a principled order to share these with its social-impact spaces. position to guide its voting at environmentally active grantees. It became clear to RAITH, from its What was learned was that there are shareholder meetings. interactions with the mines, that they many diff erent ways of being a were generally not willing to be held to responsible shareholder and the choice account or provide transparency in of intervention is often based on the relation to their operations. In most specifi c interests and expertise cases, RAITH was expressly forbidden available in and to the foundation from publishing any of the documents concerned. Doing nothing was not an with which it was supplied, even option. Drawing on substantive though these should have been widely experience in Britain and the rest of available. Foundation representatives Europe and in the US over the past 25 have also attended and adopted an years, the foundation concluded that activist position at many AGMs. For divesting and shareholder activism example, RAITH recently successfully constituted two of the most impactful brought attention to bear on the avenues for action. principled position to guide its voting at negative impact of a potential shareholder meetings. RAITH chose the investment to be made by Standard Accordingly, two key objectives were UK Financial Council’s Stewardship Bank in coal-fi red power stations. At agreed: to support the foundation’s Principles to guide its voting, although the same time, what has been grantees in their work through these are not nearly detailed enough to particularly striking to RAITH in its shareholder activism and to encourage guide every decision that needs to be activist role is how shareholders, in others to become shareholder activists, made. RAITH has since expanded on general, do not appear to take an with the long-term goal of making these principles, adapting its practice active interest in their investments and companies more accountable for the according to the votes it has been are happy to leave decisions about the sustainability of their operations and asked to make. This has been a learning sustainability and ethics of these to for the current and long-term health of experience in the past four years for asset managers - damaging the the communities in which they work. both the Board and staff but has proved businesses and communities in which an important way of gaining a true they work as a result. Shareholder Activism understanding of the companies in which the foundation is invested. To raise the profi le of shareholder RAITH had taken a decision early on in Supplementing this approach, RAITH activism as a practice and a cause, an its social justice funding to divest from also sought to review the important element of RAITH’s strategy alcohol, tobacco and gambling. Environmental, Social and Governance has been to spread the word. The However, it maintained investment in (ESG) reports for the companies in foundation’s eff orts in this area have some potentially egregious companies which it invested – a time-consuming included communicating its own work

22 | Responsible Investment

on responsible investment in order to one. Its role as an activist shareholder encourage others, and providing does not constitute its core business. information to its grantees to assist Accordingly, the foundation had to ask them in their advocacy work with itself, with no staff dedicated to this companies. The foundation has also work, how it could intervene in a way coordinated with journalists to publish that was strategic and, most articles in Business Day on issues about importantly, supported the overall which it feels particularly strongly. So mission. It is important in this regard to far, it has had 15 articles published in be guided by technical expertise, a the nearly three years that it has been clear policy and a focused action plan. active in this space. These have The foundation has also had some garnered signifi cant attention and have success in taking its message of the helped to move along the important One of the greatest need for more responsible investment discussion on responsible investing (RI) misperceptions in to the media – an advocacy activity in the investment community and which is not resource-intensive but can among the public at large. responsible investment is be extremely eff ective. Another the idea that if a learning has been that it is essential to Another important focus of RAITH’s shareholder divests or have partners. Managing partnerships communications work has been to becomes an activist, they can be time-consuming but with the understand and engage with asset establishment of a resource such as managers more eff ectively to help are likely to lose value on Just Share, RAITH has managed to them to understand the broader their portfolio. extend its infl uence beyond the implications of some of their foundation and provide the support investments and to try and infl uence that many NGOs need to take on the them accordingly. Most asset managers RAITH grants, which challenged power of the corporates. Finally, it is can have signifi cant infl uence over the corporates for their negligence or important to engage with those conduct of companies, due to the negative impacts on communities. corporates who aim to be more collective size of their investments and Accordingly, after many discussions responsible and responsive to ESG their understanding of the businesses with the concerned NGOs, a new body issues and see themselves as leaders in concerned. In the past fi ve years, there called Just Share was established with the fi eld but have many vested has been a signifi cant increase in the dual aim of helping to support interests jockeying for control over interest from asset managers in issues these organisations and providing a their resources. Even a small of ESG, as they have become coordinated response in the sector to shareholder can help push them in the increasingly aware of the risk issues of responsible investment. Two right direction, making it easier for associated with ignoring the important years later, Just Share has moved from them to make unpopular, but environmental, social and governance strength to strength and was pivotal in responsible, fi nancial decisions which requirements for a thriving, sustainable the recent RAITH/Theo Botha success do not negatively impact on the business, as well as the risk associated in having a shareholder resolution sustainability of our planet or the with fl agrant human rights abuses that presented and passed at the Standard communities that inhabit it. may be associated with some Bank AGM. corporate actions. An example of such Of course, as with any philanthropic advocacy for more responsible Impact and learning intervention, whether via grant-making investing may be found in Allan Gray’s or responsible investing (RI), there are successful intervention in the One of the greatest misperceptions in limits to the systemic change that can governance and management of Net1, responsible investment is the idea that be achieved and, in this case, especially a company that came under the if a shareholder divests or becomes an to the changes required to transform spotlight for its bad-faith conduct in activist, they are likely to lose value on what remains an exploitative economic the payment of social grants to many their portfolio. This hasn’t proven to be framework. However, foundations can poor, vulnerable South Africans. the case for RAITH and is not borne out make a diff erence by highlighting some more widely by any research into the of the worst off enders, holding them to However, it was never going to be issue. Indeed, many of the ESG-type account and, little by little, encouraging possible, nor was it envisaged as funds now made available by asset others. RAITH’s experience both in its

RAITH’s role, to provide direct support management companies are thriving. grantmaking and in RI shows that. AE for the work of the many non- governmental organisations (NGOs), However, RAITH is essentially a Audrey Elster is the Executive Director some of which were recipients of grant-maker, albeit an, at times, activist of The RAITH Foundation.

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 23 Did you hear what I just said? Developing Transformational Leadership in the Face of the Climate-change Crisis

professionals who could advance the change as the global crisis it is. In cause of biodiversity and help forge South Africa, it remains a moot point sustainable, inclusive growth in a whether the country has the kind of low-carbon economy. In pursuit of mature leadership that is required to these goals, the GreenMatter Fellowship change the country’s socio-economic has off ered bursaries, mentoring and and energy systems and implement structured networking to enable the viable and sustainable alternatives. On more than 150 “Fellows” that have so one hand, Barbara Creecy (2019), far been inducted in the project to Minister of Forestry and Fisheries and advance academically, fi nd appropriate Environmental Aff airs, has sought to employment and create a groundswell promote a Just Transition to a By Lindy Rodwell van Hasselt of support for environmentally friendly low-carbon economy via a sustainable, policies and practices. environmentally sound growth path. On the other, Gwede Mantashe (2019), ECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE OF Last year, a 15-year-old Swedish girl Minister of Mineral and Energy ACHIEVING SYSTEMIC CHANGE TO confronted world leaders. Greta Resources, recently announced RADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS Thunberg (2018) stood up in the greenfi eld exploration in coal mining facing the planet and the imperatives European parliament in Brussels at the and promoted the environmentally for transformation in South Africa, United Nations’ annual climate change damaging exploitation of shale gas. GreenMatter was established in 2010 as conference, COP24, and at the World a partnership between the Lewis Economic Forum in Davos, and blamed, Despite the country’s at times Foundation and the South Africa shamed and challenged everyone contradictory political leadership, National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), present, including global business and behind the scenes there have been to produce a cadre of black political leaders, to approach climate teams of dedicated people developing

24 | Transformational Leadership

a workforce capable of fulfi lling Developing Human Capital for Creecy’s vision. This engine for change Biodiversity Conservation and is being created in the form of a cause Management: A Public-Private brand: GreenMatter. The organisation Partnership was co-created by the Lewis Foundation and the South African The Lewis Foundation’s engagement to National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) establish GreenMatter stems from its in 2010. Under its banner, system-wide core purpose, which is to conserve, interventions have been put in place rehabilitate and protect the natural across a network of organisations and environment. Lewis was founded in institutions. These bodies work 1995 and until 2008 channelled collectively to train and support sponsorships through recognised passionate young people, bringing conservation organisations such as The them into careers in conservation. The Endangered Wildlife Trust and the initiatives promoted by GreenMatter World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). A include the provision of support for new era for the foundation began in teacher education and higher 2008 when the trustees agreed that, in education programmes, as well as the future, its eff orts needed to be more establishment of bursaries, internships, strategic. Accordingly, the Lewis Siviwe Babane, MSc. Marine Biology (University of KwaZulu Natal), BSc Biological Sciences (Walter Sisulu University) and and organisation-building to ensure Foundation surveyed key stakeholders BSc.Hons. Zoology (Walter Sisulu University). that workplaces are welcoming and about their priorities. 80% of supporting on-going career respondents raised the issue of the lack Transformative Leadership for development in the fi eld of biodiversity. of skilled, professional capacity to Sustainable Futures, Eureta Rosenberg manage and conserve South Africa’s and Sibusiso Manzini (2014) noted: “GreenMatter has expanded my world valuable biodiversity. “Although … [contemporary] young and provided me with a community of people were spared the naked violence others. Not only does it provide of legislated apartheid, they fi nancial support (for post-graduate GreenMatter has nevertheless have to contend with its studies and professional development), expanded my world and bitter legacy. Two decades into but it goes the extra mile in leadership provided me with a democracy, South Africa is plagued by development training, particularly by community of others. poverty, inequality and unemployment. providing lessons that equip us to be All these affl ictions refl ect a racial bias strategic and ethical leaders,” said and are thus not disconnected from our Thabo Hlatshwayo, a GreenMatter The National Biodiversity Strategy and apartheid past. In spite of these Fellow currently completing his Masters Action Plan and the National challenges, new graduates are boldly (MSc) in Conservation Ecology at the Biodiversity Framework issued by the stepping forward to ‘make a diff erence’.” University of Venda. government in 2005 and 2007 respectively, prioritised the Siviwe Babane is one of these ”new development of human capital for graduates”. Siviwe was the fi rst born of biodiversity conservation and a family of six and grew up in the rural management and gave SANBI a lead area of Ngxakaxha in a small town role in driving coherent sector-wide called Dutywa in the Eastern Cape. initiatives in this fi eld. SANBI and Lewis There were no formally educated role formed a public private partnership in models in the local community but 2009 to lead the development of a Siviwe’s family encouraged him to stakeholder-based Biodiversity Human study further and he left home to study Capital Development Strategy (BHCDS) for a BSc (Biology) at the University of and the Lewis Foundation decided that the Transkei (now Walter Sisulu implementation of this strategy would University). His academic journey was be its focus for the next decade. In 2010, not easy. There was limited access to the implementation plan for the BHCDS resources such as computers, the was branded “GreenMatter”. internet and library textbooks for assignments. “We also had very few Writing about GreenMatter in their role models and mentors that we could contribution to the book, relate to,” he said. “Some students even Thabo Hlatshwayo, MSc Conservation Ecology candidate (University of Venda). Intergenerational Learning and quit biological science.”

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 25 Despite the odds, Siviwe graduated with a BSc in 2006, knowing he wanted to study marine biology. His family, however, expected him to get a job and take on family responsibilities, including supporting his siblings’ education. Siviwe managed these pressures and enrolled for an Honours in Zoology in 2007. Towards the end of that year, he sought MSc study opportunities and paid work as a back-up option. He struggled to fi nd anything until his supervisor and mentor, Dr Motebang Nakin, stepped in and introduced Siviwe to an opportunity to both study and work in aquaculture with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Once in the system, Siviwe was able to complete an MSc (Aquaculture) in 2016. With support from GreenMatter, he then enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal where he completed another MSc, achieving his long-held dream of becoming a marine biologist. Siviwe is currently employed at the Irene campus of the Agricultural Strengthening Leadership that are themselves in many ways less Research Council (ARC) doing what he through Mentorship and Career ‘connected’. This continued loves most: research and the Guidance marginalisation contributes to a implementation of aquaculture disproportionate percentage of black projects. In so doing, he contributes to GreenMatter soon recognised that the students not advancing into post- South Africa’s fastest growing quality of the leadership and mentorship graduate studies, and not fi nding food-production sector. in the biodiversity sector needed to be suitable employment.” strengthened. Not only were there too “[GreenMatter’s] new cadre’s mission few mentors, but, in many organisations In response, GreenMatter sought to is nothing short of transformational,” the mentoring was undermined by racial strengthen its networking, mentoring said Rosenberg and Manzini. “They and political distrust and the diff erent and career guidance. It was also must pioneer ways to work across expectations of diff erent generations. “It proposed the kind of leadership traditional disciplines like engineering, also became apparent that … outside of being promoted should be for ecology, economics and education. the mainstream of highly educated and biodiversity, as distinct from They must overturn a history of employed society, youth from remote leadership in diversity. It was further ‘conservation versus people’ and chart rural and equally marginalised township agreed that biodiversity needed to be a new course in which caring for the schools were fi nding it diffi cult to move brought into the academic Earth tangibly benefi ts the poor.” successfully from fi rst degrees to further mainstream. Rosenberg and Manzini education and into suitable workplaces, noted that: “One of the most helpful However, as GreenMatter moved from despite having fi nancial support,” noted approaches to leadership planning its strategy to Rosenberg and Manzini. “Many young development is that articulated by implementation, it became evident, South Africans are the fi rst in their [German academic and innovator] Rosenberg and Manzini noted, “that community to pursue an environmental Otto Scharmer who asks what while numbers and qualifi cations were career. They have limited access to resources and connections our new important goals (for example, to academic and professional networks generations of leaders will need so increase the number of black and career guidance and the legacy of that, when they are ‘thrown into the post-graduates in the fi eld) some apartheid presents them with a eye of the storm’, they would be able subtle, less tangible aspects were also challenge to access the existing to ‘respond in innovative ways rather highly signifi cant”. networks. Many of them have no option than resort to the reactive responses but to attend rural-based universities of the past’.”

26 | Transformational Leadership

The GreenMatter Fellowship Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) The Power of Networks, bursary, he enrolled at the University of Connectivity and Mentorship In order to overcome the leadership Venda for a BSc. In 2015, he graduated. challenges for biodiversity in South A National Research Foundation “GreenMatter made me realise the Africa, GreenMatter developed an bursary took him through honours and power of networking, collaboration and ambitious Fellowship programme with a then he hit a wall. He could not access creating a plan … for my life,” said focus on leadership development. The funding for a Masters. After spending Thabo. “I connected with people who programme, according to Rosenberg 2016 at home, he took the only are all sharing a common vision and and Manzini, “off ers fi nancial support for opportunity on off er, a diploma in mission and with whom we could very post-graduate studies, but emphasises agriculture. Determined to pursue his likely foster fruitful collaboration camaraderie, community and peer dream he developed an MSc proposal projects that may help address learning, while encouraging individual and sent it to the Department of biodiversity problems. It improves excellence. It off ers a range of Conservation Ecology and Entomology connectivity and that’s how it all structured, professional development at Stellenbosch University, where it begins.” GreenMatter provided Thabo opportunities and mentoring.” The landed on the desk of Rhoda Malgas, with his “fi rst exciting experiences to mentors help bursary recipients who was a lecturer in the department. explore places and meet with fellow network, not only with peers, but also Recognising Thabo’s potential, she students, facilitators and researchers with established professionals and contacted him, off ered to be a mentor from diff erent institutions. potential employers. and encouraged him to apply for a “This exposure to diff erent GreenMatter bursary. He was selected backgrounds and circumstances The story of Thabo Hlatshwayo as a GreenMatter/Mapula Fellow and enabled me to share and exchange illustrates the crucial role that proper registered for his Masters in research ideas and experiences with mentoring can play in academic Conservation Ecology at the University other fellows, and to learn about advancement in the South African of Venda in 2018. GreenMatter available research, training, context. Thabo grew up in the small changed his life. employment opportunities and career rural village of Bhuga near Kabokweni, prospects. I developed better which is situated between Nelspruit GreenMatter made me interpersonal skills and emotional and the Kruger National Park in intelligence, greatly improved my Mpumalanga. He loved nature and realise the power of public speaking and confi dence. I hiking in the mountains and was known networking, collaboration and learned to work in a team and under in his family as the “caretaker” of their creating a plan for my life. pressure and outside my comfort zone; domestic animals. In high school, he to learn and acquire new skills; and to was encouraged by his teachers to fi nd purpose and grow. The network study further and to become a teacher opened many study and employment or a nurse, professions that they knew opportunities with the result that I did and understood. Deep down, Thabo not struggle to fi nd job off ers. I am still knew he wanted to do something with in contact with GreenMatter’s core nature, but no one was able to advise team and attend professional him appropriately. He was told by his workshops, seminars, forums and teachers that because he had not taken prestigious events through which I gain geography as a matric subject, he was access to important opportunities and not eligible to apply for an networks within the science fi eld.” environmental science degree. In recognition of the importance of “Growing up in a village that does not intergenerational learning and have information centres and no one providing appropriate access to social able to guide or mentor me to achieve capital and networks, the process of my dreams nearly hindered me from fi nding and interacting with mentors is enrolling for the degree I was carefully structured and supported by passionate about,” he said. His life GreenMatter. Thabo’s mentor/ changed when he attended a careers supervisor, Wendy Collinson of the guidance session set up by the local Endangered Wildlife Trust, noted: Department of Education. To his “GreenMatter engages with me on a delight, he learned that he was eligible personal level, they understand what I to apply for an environmental science do and work with me to secure the Thabo Hlatshwayo doing fi eld work in the Soutpansberg, Vhembe degree. Funded through a National District, Limpopo. calibre of student I am after. They 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 27 initiative to scale. Lewis’s mission is to use the modest amount of funding it disburses to catalyse ambitious programmes and leverage support. Three other Foundations have made a signifi cant contribution to the Fellowship programme: The Harry Crossley Foundation, the Mapula Foundation and the Nedbank Foundation. Accordingly, Thabo, Siviwe, Gregg and Dr Hanks, are just four members of a cohort of 156 Fellows that have been inducted in the GreenMatter Fellowship programme. Their stories are inspiring, their passion is infectious and their

infl uence is growing. LRH

Lindy Rodwell van Hasselt is GreenMatter works managerial level either in policy or Relationship Director of The Lewis towards unlocking the decision-making where I can use all my Foundation, which funded and helped skills to formulate and create ideology, to found GreenMatter. environmental, social and ideas and management plans that will economic potential of our push the environment to the fore.” References country, through the Seven years on, Gregg is now the development of suitably Deputy Director of the Green Economy • Creecy B. (2019). “Minister Barbara Creecy Programme in the Western Cape’s delivers the Environmental Aff airs’ skilled biodiversity Department of Economic Development 2019/20 Budget Vote in the National specialists, researchers and and Tourism. He said: “The most Assembly”, 11 July. Available at https:// professionals. valuable outcome was the professional www.environment.gov.za/mediarelease/ development aspects of the Fellowship. barbara-creecy-delivers-2019-20- recognise the value of not only having These included networking skills, budgetvote strong academic/research supervisors interview tips, and advice on how to • Mantashe G. (2019). “Minister Gwede but career mentors who can expose promote your personal brand. Many of Mantashe: Mineral Resources Budget and introduce their students to the the soft skills now come naturally to me Vote”, 10 July. Available at https://www. world of work and the bigger picture and the confi dence I developed during gov.za/speeches/speech-minister-mineral- beyond their just getting their degrees the Fellowship is still evident in my resources-and-energy-honourable- and qualifi cations.” Thabo said: “With professional engagements.” samson-gwede-mantashe-10-jul-2019 Wendy’s encouragement, I submitted • Rosenberg E. and Manzini S. (2014). an abstract that was accepted for the Dr John Hanks is a senior GreenMatter “Leadership for biodiversity in South International Conference on Ecology Fellow and has mentored dozens of Africa: transformation and capacity and Transportation (ICOET) in young people during his 60-year development in the GreenMatter California. The training has also career in conservation. He said: “One programme”. In Corcoran P.B., equipped me with the skills to become of the most valuable components of Hollingshead P.B., Lotz-Sisitka, Wals A.E.J. a mentor to other youngsters in my GreenMatter’s work is assisting and Weakland J.P. (Eds.) Intergenerational institution and community.” graduates negotiate the often diffi cult learning and transformative leadership for transition from their academic studies sustainable futures, pp. 269-278. Gregg Brill was selected as a to employment.” Wageningen Academic Publishers. GreenMatter Fellow in 2012 – enrolling • Scharmer, O. 2009b. Theory U: Leading for a PhD at UCT. When interviewed in Donor Collaboration from the Future as it Emerges. Berret- 2012 about his ambitions, he said: “A lot and Partnerships Koehler, San Francisco. of policies have not taken the • Thunberg G. (2018). “Greta Thunberg environment into consideration; I need At the same time that GreenMatter’s addressed the COP24 Plenary Session to step up to the plate and my role in implementation model was being put December 12 2018”. Available at https:// life is to be the person that drives that in place, the Lewis Foundation was www.fridaysforfuture.org/greta- change. I would love to be at a looking for partners to take the speeches#greta_speech_dec12_2018

28 | Child Health

Strengthening paediatric health care in Africa The African Paediatric Fellowship Programme

By Helen Meintjes, Jo Wilmshurst, local health needs and priorities in the institutions to develop a cadre of highly G Heidi Grundlingh and trainees’ own countries. Upon their skilled paediatric health leaders for the Melissa Morrison return home, graduates expand access continent. The initiative was to paediatric clinical services, establish established as gains in reducing child and/or strengthen paediatric training at mortality across the continent HE AFRICAN PAEDIATRIC FELLOWSHIP leading universities, and provide unleashed rising demand for mid- to PROGRAMME APFP OFFERS AFRICAN leadership and advocacy for resources high-level paediatric services. Child TSOLUTIONS FOR AFRICAN PROBLEMS, and policies to transform care for mortality rates fell from 77.1 per 1 000 seeking to build a strategic mass of children. A further benefi t is that, in the live births in 2000 to 39.1 in 2017 clinical and leadership expertise in the interim, these visiting senior doctors largely as the result of an intensive area of child health across a number of provide important additional capacity focus on basic and preventive primary countries on the continent. Partner within South Africa’s overstretched healthcare. However, with 16 000 institutions in African countries where paediatric health-care system. children continuing to lose their lives no equivalent paediatric training exists every day – almost half of these in refer fellows to South African tertiary The aim of the APFP is to transform Africa – the journey is far from over. teaching hospitals for training and Africa’s child-health capacity through 10% to 20% of children presenting at placements which are aligned with the targeted collaborations with training their local health centres require a 

Sandra Kwarteng Owusu (leſt ), paediatric pulmonology fellow, Komfo Anokye Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, UCT 2016-2018. (Photo credit: Karin Schermbrucker)

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 29 trainees who are identifi ed and nominated by peer universities in other African countries. In this regard, a key learning has been the need to establish institutional partnerships with peer universities across the continent to identify the areas in which faculty capacity-building can reap the greatest benefi ts and to ensure that these institutions select their most talented practitioners for training in South Africa. In response to the programme’s success and growing demand, The ELMA Foundation has supported the expansion of APFP in 2018 to the University of the Witwatersrand (APFP -Wits) and the University of KwaZulu- Natal (APFP-UKZN).

The APFP works with teaching hospitals and training institutions in

Mohammed Mekki, paediatric neurology fellow, Sudan, UCT 2016-2018. (Photo credit: Karin Schermbrucker) other African countries to identify and equip health professionals with the higher level of specialist care than is skills and expertise needed to optimise being off ered. With an average of just If the trend towards patient care; foster new service 0.8 paediatricians per 100 000 people improved child survival is to developments; establish independent in Africa – compared with the global in-country training programmes; and average of 32 per 100 000 – the continue, the number of build an evidence base for paediatric resources simply are unable to meet paediatricians who can care in low-resource settings. The demand. Most of the children referred provide specialist care and programme has trained more than 115 to specialist centres are treated in guide and coordinate paediatric healthcare professionals adult settings ill-equipped to care for from 15 African countries, with over 70 them, and many lose their lives practices across diff erent enrolled in the three participating South unnecessarily as a result. If the trend health service platforms in African universities in 2019 (see Plate 1). towards improved child survival is to Africa needs to grow. Although enrolment and demand have continue, the number of paediatricians increased year-on-year, the APFP has who can provide specialist care and sustained a high completion rate of guide and coordinate practices across In this context, The ELMA Foundation 98%. In addition, 98% of the diff erent health service platforms in together with the Children’s Hospital practitioners who have graduated from Africa needs to grow. Trust, the Harry Crossley Foundation the programme have continued and other donors, supported the working in Africa (see Plate 2). The ELMA Foundation identifi ed University of Cape Town in partnership building a workforce to support with the Red Cross War Memorial The programme has also made great children in South Africa and the region Children’s Hospital, the largest strides in fostering increased paediatric as a focus area for its philanthropic dedicated children’s hospital in clinical, research and training capacity investment. The foundation recognised sub-Saharan Africa, to launch the in partner centres. For example: that while providing scholarships to APFP in 2008. • A partnership with the Malawi increase the number of child health College of Medicine has produced professionals could strengthen After more than a decade, The ELMA 10 specialists, with more in the paediatric care, good donor practice Foundation continues to identify the pipeline, and has led to the required the adoption of a broader APFP at the University of Cape Town establishment of the country’s fi rst approach, one in which the capacity of (UCT) as a key partnership for general paediatrics training course, key training institutions could be transforming children’s health care in which, for the moment, includes a expanded to improve the quality of South Africa and the region. Since the 15-month placement at UCT to training and to sustain increased project’s inception, donor support cover sub-speciality rotations not production of the health workforce. provides for full scholarships to yet off ered in Malawi.

30 | Child Health

• An increasing number of Kenyan Programme expands to Kenya representation by African child health paediatricians (27 as of 2018) trained experts. These alumni have acted as in 13 sub-specialties placed the The critical mass of sub-specialists in catalysts for long-term change in child country on the cusp of becoming the Kenya presented a strategic investment health – driving initiatives from direct next continental hub for paediatric opportunity, and The ELMA Foundation patient care, to service delivery and sub-specialty training. Other approached various paediatric broader policy developments locally, service-based achievements in stakeholders to develop a suite of nationally and internationally. Looking Kenya have included the complementary workforce grants. forward, as the programme’s alumni establishment of the country’s fi rst Subsequently Kenya has launched the and partners move closer to being able paediatric intensive care unit (PICU); Kenyan Paediatric Fellowship to establish their own local paediatric a renal dialysis programme; and the Programme to train paediatric sub- training programmes, the pace at overhaul of neonatal services. specialists and paediatric nurses at four which the continent’s paediatric skills academic institutions and associated defi cit can be addressed will increase. Alumni of the APFP teaching hospitals. As the programme is APFP is creating a ripple eff ect that has established in-country and donor the power to cascade and transform programme have gone on support grows, fellows from other East thousands of lives across Africa. to occupy key leadership African countries will be able to undergo roles in their institutions; in training closer to home. African Solutions for African Problems national/regional paediatric Programme Alumni in Leadership associations; and increa- The programme is also a progressive singly on international Alumni of the APFP programme have example of an initiative that has committees where they gone on to occupy key leadership roles designed and implemented African in their institutions; in national/regional solutions for African problems. have expanded represen- paediatric associations; and Partnerships to train healthcare tation by African child increasingly on international professionals are not new. But eff orts health experts. committees where they have expanded to address the challenges of limited

Charlyne Kilba, paediatric critical care fellow from Korle Bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana, UCT 2015-2017. (Photo credit: Karin Schermbrucker)

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 31 in-country capacity have often been paediatric services. With APFP trainees of Paediatric Neurology at the Red led by high-income countries, constituting about one third of all Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, employing educational models that registrars and senior registrars at the UCT, and Director of the APFP; G Heidi have been established to meet their Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Grundlingh is Programme Offi cer, socio-cultural demands and address Hospital, they provide the backbone of Health, and Melissa Morrison, the particular nature of their disease the institution’s clinical services. These Programme Offi cer, Health, at The Elma burdens. However, APFP seeks to experienced health-care practitioners Philanthropies Services. leverage and optimise African skills, from across Africa not only gain skills in expertise and resources within an South African hospitals, they also African context. Curricula are tailored extend systemic service capacity, as to student needs, the conditions they well as bringing a wealth of invaluable face, and the resources available in knowledge and expertise gleaned from their home-country health services. other African contexts to bear on South Africa’s particular health Long-term strategic partnerships with challenges. The APFP philosophy is teaching hospitals ensure that the that African medical practitioners are programme not only improves the skills stronger together, developing child of a select group of individuals, but health care practices for the whole also fosters the establishment of continent, including South Africa. APFP multidisciplinary paediatric departments and professional Helen Meintjes is Programme Manager associations, supporting the of the African Paediatric Fellowship development of paediatric clinical Programme at the University of Cape services, health systems and training Town (UCT); Jo Wilmshurst is the Head capacity in a number of countries across the continent. The content of the training that is off ered by the 20 18 programme is aligned with local health 16 priorities in the trainees’ home 14 Working in Africa countries; and the body of expertise 12 Le Africa forged by the initiative is retained in 10 Further study, APFP the continent, with the programme 8 Further study Fellow died building a generation of clinicians, 6 educators and leaders who can 4 transform child health in Africa. 2 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Support for South Africa’s PLATE 1: Where are they now? By exit year Paediatric Health Care Services

In addition to building the child health services of other African countries, the programme has produced immense benefi ts for South Africa’s overstretched and under-resourced paediatric health care services. The growth in the number of suitably qualifi ed and experienced healthcare practitioners has not kept pace with the growth in demand for ever more sophisticated health-care services. In addition, as state budgetary provision has tightened, South African clinical services have been placed under even greater strain. In response, the APFP training model provides an innovative PLATE 2: Career paths taken by APFP graduates from 2007 to 2018 approach to bolstering South African

32 | Arts and Philanthropy

An artistic duet Keeping Cape Town’s opera and orchestra alive

Both the Cape Town Orchestra and With an initial donation from her By Tamra Capstick-Dale the Cape Town Opera have faced husband, Raymond Ackerman, who is diffi cult fi nancial challenges. So, when a generous philanthropist in his own the Cape Town Orchestra achieved a right, Wendy Ackerman soon began ONGTIME SUPPORTER OF THE ARTS, remarkable 100-year milestone in conversations with other potential WENDY ACKERMAN, HAS PUT A 2014, but found itself in a diffi cult donors to build the fund. The goal LSIGNIFICANT EFFORT INTO CREATING AN fi nancial state, she made the decision was to ensure that the capital could endowment for the arts in Cape to step in and form the Duet grow suffi ciently to provide ongoing Town, specifically for the city’s opera Endowment Trust which would help income to its joint benefi ciaries and and orchestra. With R60 million secure the future for both these support them as vital parts of the raised so far, this story of giving and globally esteemed bodies. She cultural life of Cape Town, as well as the arts shows the leverage that indicated that “Something had to be important contributors to the national philanthropy can bring to provide for done to secure the future of these cultural heritage. the long-term sustainability of key historic institutions.” cultural endeavours. Through her intense networking, other “The problem was that neither the philanthropists and corporations, such Wendy Ackerman has always been orchestra nor the opera were receiving as Investec and Naspers (and former passionate about music and the arts. promised National Lottery support on Naspers chairman Ton Vosloo in his You only have to watch her face at an time. Support from local government personal capacity), soon came on opera or orchestral performance to was also patchy, and not suffi cient to board and the Duet Endowment Trust see the pure joy it gives her. Her keep these two great cultural was launched in August 2014. The other well-known passion is for active institutions safeguarded for the Duet Trust is chaired by Wendy philanthropy. future,” she said. Ackerman herself, and the directors of 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 33 the orchestra and the opera serve on Accordingly, she also has a close one of the major professional highlights the board by invitation. “It’s important personal interest in the music for any artist. And when he sings, he that we always protect the trust, but departments at the three universities in sings for us and the world. Through the we are also resolved not to interfere Cape Town, encouraging these faculties trust we can ensure that the Cape with the running of these two to continue providing South African Town Opera and the Cape Town institutions apart from holding regular talent to the orchestra. Philharmonic Orchestra fl ourish and are meetings with the directors.” sustainable for generations to come.”

The mechanism of the trust is a simple Through the trust we Wendy Ackerman’s philanthropic one: money was raised from can ensure that the Cape eff orts have seen the Duet Trust raise philanthropists and corporations, and R60 million. “I said I would step down equal contributions of R3m came from Town Opera and the Cape as Chairman of the Trust when we both the orchestra and the opera, Town Philharmonic Orchestra reached R50 million, but I haven’t been which makes them equal partners. The fl ourish and are sustainable allowed to,” she jokes. “Now I hope that money Wendy Ackerman has raised for for generations to come. we will reach R100m as we attract the trust has been invested for fi ve more interest in supporting these great years, and only once that investment assets of our city and South Africa.” has matured will the interest from the “It’s a great achievement for Cape Town She remains as determined to grow the capital be paid out to the orchestra and to have an orchestra that is 100 years old. Duet Trust as when she initially launched the opera. This is expected to begin in Many famous orchestras overseas have it fi ve years ago, and encourages 2020, and equal amounts will go to not reached that milestone yet,” she says. investors wishing to support the arts to both organisations in tranches. “When I hear people saying that opera get in touch with the Trust. and orchestras have no place in Africa, I It is an expensive business to stage an get very angry as it is simply not true. The Ackerman family’s passion and opera, with costs of around R4 million a Music is a global language and some of commitment to philanthropy are performance. The Cape Town Opera the great opera singers and orchestra well-known, particularly in the form of makes money on overseas tours, but leaders have come from Africa.” the Ackerman Family Education Trust. two were cancelled last year because Now, with the Duet Trust, Wendy the buildings in which they were to “[The soprano] Pretty Yende and [the Ackerman is making a great perform were not ready. That was a tenor] Sunnyboy Dladla are both contribution to supporting the arts and huge fi nancial blow and one that will glittering stars in the world of music demonstrating that she is a passionate hopefully be addressed once the trust and are both patrons of the Duet Trust. philanthropist with a level head and the begins to pay out. It is important for Sunnyboy has made such a success of determination to see a plan succeed. TCD Wendy Ackerman that South Africa’s his career, and he is a real ambassador extraordinary musical talent is for Cape Town and South Africa. He Tamra Capstick-Dale is Managing celebrated, advanced and preserved. sings at the London Proms, which is Director, Corporate Image (Pty) Ltd.

Wendy Ackerman, Founder and Chair of the Duet Trust

34 | Philanthropy through Sport

there is a huge depth of talent in South Africa which only required A builder at heart opportunity in order to excel. This realisation led to a partnership with an An interview with Karl Westvig organisation that creates just such opportunities for young people from disadvantaged communities. By Shelagh Gastrow Westvig is essentially “a builder at heart”, seeing possibilities for change HAT BRINGS TOGETHER AN and taking them to fruition. While INDIVIDUAL AND A NONPROFIT acknowledging that everyone wants to WORGANISATION IN A MUTUALLY be fi nancially secure and independent, rewarding and fulfi lling relationship? he pledged that on reaching a personal This interview with Karl Westvig, Chair target that he estimated would provide of the JAG Foundation, explores how such security and independence for an individual’s personal passions can himself and his family, he would then take him on a journey that changes become active in various causes. In the the lives of others by off ering them past ten years, much of Westvig’s focus new opportunities. Karl Westvig, Chair of the JAG Foundation has been on others and, in particular, the JAG Foundation. Karl Westvig’s central passion is sport, in he therefore always ran with people particular running. Running as a sport from other communities and economic The founder of JAG, Greg James, has been integrated for longer than any backgrounds. This experience invested heavily in the organisation on other sporting code in South Africa and contributed to his understanding that a personal basis. As the organisation 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 35 grew, he required more support and transport is provided to enable youth to Using JAG-trained mentors and the organisation itself needed participate. The sports backed by the facilitators, who come from the same restructuring to ensure long-term programme include rugby, running, communities as the children, these sustainability. Westvig assisted in cycling and netball. The Foundation also programmes are carefully monitored by reorganising JAG, including by provides an anti-bullying course, namely the foundation. Schools themselves ensuring compliance with all the BullyProof. Since 2006, JAG’s provide the safe spaces required for the necessary registration requirements; programmes have been rolled out in 14 activities, particularly in Bonteheuwel. forging a strategic plan; and providing communities, mainly on the Cape Flats. Safe transport is provided to take the cash-fl ow forecasts and a cost participating children to and from their structure for the foundation. This led activities on a daily basis. to increased fi nancial security for the organisation and Westvig became The programmes off er mass Chair of the JAG Board. participation and include JAGRunners, the Foundation’s fi rst initiative, which The JAG Foundation utilises sport and was started by Olympic silver medallist play as educational tools in high-risk Elana Meyer. This programme off ers communities in the Western Cape. cross-country and road-running for These neighbourhoods are unsafe with children and opportunities for local rampant crime and drug abuse in many runners to become coaches. JAGRugby families. Young people face danger is a schools-based programme across every day, walking to school or visiting seven communities in the Western friends. They are under continual peer Cape off ering coaching, mentoring and pressure to take drugs and join gangs, The JAG Foundation matches for children twice a week. which often leads to serious criminal utilises sport and play as JAGRiders, which is based at Bergsig activity, prison and even death. Primary School in Bonteheuwel and is In contrast to the surrounding educational tools in high- led by former professional South community, JAG’s sport programmes risk communities in the African cyclist, Graham Hector, off ers take place in safe spaces; and safe Western Cape. opportunities for mountain-biking and

36 | Philanthropy through Sport

road-cycling which are often out of reach for children who cannot otherwise aff ord the travelling costs and bicycle transfers. The programme off ers a 1km mountain-biking cross- country course laid out across the school’s grounds. JAGNetball is assisted by former South African netball star Vanessa Lingevelt and now has about 500 participants at primary school level assisted by educators who help with transport, kit and coaching.

Some real stars have emerged from JAG’s programmes. Some of the foundation’s graduates have been off ered places in the Western Cape’s rugby, netball and athletics teams or have taken up cycling at the national or international level. Nic Dlamini from Capricorn Park is a case in point, as a JAGRunner turned cyclist. The story of people with opportunity is also a key Dlamini’s fi rst years at World Tour level Karl Westvig’s value. His company, Retail Capital, in 2017 has been an exciting one. He philanthropy is two-fold, provides fi nance for small businesses, won the King of the Mountains jersey at off ering loans not on the basis of both the Tour Down Under and the Tour both fi nancial and as a guaranteed assets, but rather by of Britain. His personal motto is volunteer off ering his time tracking turnover and levying daily #LiveYourDream, something he and skills. This combination repayments accordingly. In addition, continues to do at the highest level of of fi nancial support and the business funds the Retail Capital cycling as a member of the international Langa Running Club, providing apparel, Dimension Data World Tour team. personal involvement is in transport and coaching. Westvig’s line with growing trends in running partner, Aubrey Isaacs, who JAG students are mentored and individual philanthropy. hails from the Eastern Cape is Chair of coached by individuals who can the Langa Running Club and was a relate to them because they come long-standing Committee Member of from, and live in, the same these build joy, self-esteem and hope. the Gugulethu Running Club. The pair communities. The programme trains The programme’s benefi ts have link learners who are part of the JAG these individuals to become accredited included a reduction in school programme to these clubs. sports coaches, providing them with absenteeism among participants and a additional life opportunities. bringing together of communities on Westvig’s philanthropy is therefore the Cape Flats, which can be kept apart two-fold, both fi nancial and as a In addition to the sports element of the by territorial gangs. By providing safe volunteer off ering his time and skills. JAG programme, the project also runs transport and uniting children across This combination of fi nancial support an anti-bullying initiative in school divides, the initiative helps to build and personal involvement is in line with classrooms. This focuses on physical social cohesion. On JAG family day, growing trends in individual bullying and on issues relating to gang rivalry seems to be set aside as philanthropy. Such personal exclusion/inclusion, using super-hero supporters from across communities involvement brings personal reward – analogies. At the senior level, the focus join parents in watching their children the feeling of knowing that a job has is on cyber-bullying, which has been compete and demonstrate their been well done and that a contribution known to lead to suicide in some cases. sporting prowess. has been made to changing lives. SG Sporting activity contributes to an environment conducive to learning. In a For Westvig, the engagement in Shelagh Gastrow of Gastrow positive setting, sport and play produce making a diff erence by off ering new Consulting provides advisory services positive values such as tolerance, opportunities extends beyond his role to the philanthropy sector, higher integrity, respect, discipline, teamwork, as Chair of the Jag Board. In his education advancement and non- accountability and goal-setting. In turn, business life, his passion for linking profi t sustainability.

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 37 Book Review

Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom To Heal Divides and Restore Balance by Edgar Villanueva

experiences in the philanthropic sector, and where and how these are Villanueva seeks to bring a new directed, are duty-bound to refl ect perspective to bear on the practice of on their own beliefs and values. Their philanthropy, asking both donors and aim should be to close the gap benefi ciaries to refl ect on how they between the haves and the have- fulfi l their roles in order to address and nots, the funders and the resolve the unequal power relationship benefi ciaries, which has largely been between them. The book outlines shaped by the racialised, unequal some of the fatal fl aws underpinning distribution of wealth historically modern philanthropy and proposes a promoted by colonialism. To address new approach that borrows on the this issue, the boards and executive Reviewed by Mmabatho Maboya traditional practices of indigenous management teams of philanthropic Americans. Villanueva advocates organisations need to be greater diversity in the leadership of transformed and made diverse. NEW VOLUME BY EDGAR VILLANUEVA philanthropic organisations and other ON PHILANTHROPY PLACES IT IN THE bodies controlling money fl ows in • Philanthropy must transform its A CONTEXT OF HISTORICAL, COLONIAL order to dismantle and transform modus operandi in order to create a practices that produced wealth for a historically unequal colonial power more equitable society. Patterns of small, mainly white minority at the relations. The book advances the wealth distribution which found their expense of the rest of the world. following arguments: justifi cation in the idea of white Accordingly, the book challenges supremacy are reinforced by philanthropy to heal racial divisions, • Philanthropy must seek to heal racial philanthropic practices that perpetuate social inequality and injustice by divisions, and social inequality and historical power relations, eff ectively redistributing this wealth. However, to injustice. Those who have ingraining rather than dismantling challenge the socio-economic forces accumulated capital and colonial socio-economic systems. shaped by and perpetuating historical consolidated wealth should inequity, philanthropy must look to acknowledge the historical privileges In the second part of the book entitled how it is also shaped by these forces that have enabled such acquisition “How to heal”, Villanueva outlines and hand over greater power in its and how these have come at the seven steps towards healing which operations to grantees and transform expense of a large proportion of the individuals and organisations may take, its governance and management population who suff er as a result of although he acknowledges that mechanisms to ensure diversity. the continued unequal distribution of following these may not resolve all wealth. The author asks the outstanding issues of socio-economic Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous important question: “What if wealth inequity promoted by philanthropy. Wisdom To Heal Divides and Restore can be used to heal the societal The steps are: grieve; apologise; listen; Balance considers the disproportionate divides?” and promotes the idea that relate; represent; invest; and repair. This power wielded by philanthropy to the recipients of giving should have book is a great aid in shaping infl uence society in a post-colonial a greater say in how philanthropic conversations on transformation of the world. Although the book, which was wealth is distributed. practices of philanthropy professionals published in 2018, mainly refl ects on and leaders tasked with overseeing the

American philanthropic practices, its • Philanthropy has a duty to direct mission of philanthropy. MM fi ndings have a global application. In giving towards causes that would particular, it highlights the advance society beyond the norms Mmabatho Maboya transformation and diversity issues dictated by its overseers. is CEO of the which are often sidelined in considering Accordingly, philanthropic leaders, Cyril Ramaphosa the role and impacts of philanthropy. that is, those tasked with managing Foundation Drawing on his personal lived the distribution of philanthropic gifts

38 | Book Review

Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas

betterment of our overall civilisation”. market way of looking at things and He describes how the economic system the bypassing of government.” in America and around the world has been “organised to siphon the gains In a series of chapters, Giridharadas tells from innovation, upwards, such that the stories of individuals who believe the fortunes of the world’s billionaires they are making the world a better place. now grow at more than double the He unpacks their “save the world” pace of everyone else’s. And the top thinking through social-impact investing, 10% of humanity have come to hold market-driven solutions, entrepreneur- 90% of the planet’s wealth.” ship, sustainable capitalism, philanthro- Reviewed by Lindy Rodwell capitalism, social entrepreneurship and van Hasselt Worldwide economic inequality has win-win solutions which are “All reached an all-time high and with it a programs that do anything other than plethora of social, political and fundamentally question the rules of the NEW VOLUME BY ANAND environmental issues have arisen. Enter game or advocate changing their own GIRIDHARADAS CONTENDS THAT philanthropy as one of the elite players behaviour to lead the change required to A WITHIN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC working to “do good” or “make a reduce the damage of the winner takes system “progress” is little more than a diff erence”. So how, asks the author, all mentality.” guise for the enrichment of a small, “can there be anything wrong with wealthy global elite. He argues that trying to do good?” Giridharadas challenges all the “elites” philanthropy, which is broadly working for a better world to consider undemocratic and controlled by this if they are, at best, chipping away on elite, helps to preserve the status quo 10% of humanity have the fringe, confi ning their eff orts within through a range of conservative, come to hold 90% of the a damaged system rather than tackling market-driven approaches. the system itself. This book is essential Accordingly, he challenges planet’s wealth. reading (or listening) for all aspiring philanthropists to try and change the “change agents” wanting to take a dominant economic system which Giridharadas contends that the long, hard look at the role they play or produces and sustains inequity rather corporate and philanthropic elite of the who have an appetite for than merely operating within it. world have come to dominate eff orts fundamentally questioning the rules of to wage war against inequality and the game. And for those who don’t, I This book, or at the very least the fi rst injustice in a way that in fact preserves off er the quote that kicks off the book and last chapters, should be prescribed the status quo, rather than pushing for and which has stuck with me. reading for anyone working in systemic change which may threaten philanthropy. It may resonate with you the social order and the positions of “I sit on a man’s back, choking him and or it may make you angry and the privileged. He maintains that some making him carry me and yet assure uncomfortable. Whatever your of these elites not only want to be part myself and others that I am sorry for response, it will act as a spur for some of the solution, but they also want to him and wish to lighten his load by all introspection around the why and how take ownership of it “taking on social means possible, except by getting off of your philanthropic endeavours. change as it if were just another stock his back.” – Leo Tolstoy writing on civil

on their portfolio, or division in their disobedience and non-violence. LRH In the fi rst chapter of this volume, corporation to restructure. The which was published in 2018, initiatives mostly aren’t democratic, nor Lindy Rodwell van Giridharadas documents how three and do they refl ect collective problem- Hasselt is the half decades of progress and solving or universal solutions. Rather Relationship Director at innovation has “failed to translate into they favour the use of the private The Lewis Foundation broadly shared progress and the sector and its charitable spoils, the

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 39 Our Family Philanthropy Journey

This article has been submitted way or another, taken part in civil We knew that we were anonymously by a family that has society activities, whether this entailed making some sort of recently created a family foundation. involvement in student organisations; sitting on the board of not-for-profi t diff erence, but recognised organisations; or pursuing careers in that our collective impact ECOGNISING THAT THE VARIOUS impact-related fi elds. was neither strategic nor PHILANTHROPIC CONTRIBUTIONS MADE optimal. We also recognised while The reasons for our engagement were RBY THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, the growing infl uence of sizeable, were not achieving the often personal and included: desired strategic and optimal impact, • A recognition of the very unequal family philanthropy. this family came together to workshop society in which we live, particularly a new, more collective approach. As a as South Africans; making some sort of diff erence, but result, a public benefi t organisation • An understanding of the unique role recognised that our collective impact trust was established which ascribes of private philanthropy, particularly was neither strategic nor optimal. We clearly defi ned roles and its ability to be more responsive, also recognised the growing infl uence responsibilities to the various family bold and nimble than corporate or of family philanthropy. As a result, we members in choosing and managing institutional funding; and spent some time together as a family the various projects to be supported. • Admiration for the men and women refl ecting on what we would like to who have dedicated their lives to achieve from a philanthropic point of As is the case with many families in uplifting vulnerable South Africans, view, and where we felt we would be South Africa and around the world, our and a desire to support them. able to make the greatest positive family had always been eager to make impact. This refl ection took the form of a contribution to the society in which In 2018, our philanthropic engagement a self-facilitated workshop, at which we we lived. This took myriad forms, from as a family had reached a point at agreed we needed to decide: small grants to organisations that we which, although the various knew, to support for children who were contributions were signifi cant, they • How much money we would like/be at school or university with our own. remained somewhat haphazard and able to set aside for philanthropic Each member of our family had, in one disorganised. We knew that we were endeavours each year;

40 | Family Philanthropy

• What the funding mechanism should opportunities and have leveraged these • A grant update document providing a look like, for example, Public Benefi t in a way that has resulted in a position template for relevant family members Organisation (PBO) Trust, etc; of signifi cant privilege. to give updates regarding grants for • What focus areas should be which they are responsible; considered for support; Why should we carry out • What the role of each family philanthropic initiatives? • A budget tracking template monitoring: member should be; We recognise that we live in a deeply - Grant recipients; • What level of formality should be divided society and that our privilege - Documents received, such as required in the distribution of funds, allows us to make an impact and create proofs of bank account and PBO and reporting as to the use of these meaningful opportunities for others. certifi cates; funds; and - Liaison and contact details of • Which other stakeholders we would In terms of a high-level strategy, the organisations; and want to involve and what their roles family also agreed on the principles - Dates and amounts of grants would be. outlined in the table below. A family disbursed. member was allocated responsibility In order to prepare for the workshop, for each of the goals and a budget was • A process document outlining the some desktop research was carried out allocated to each. Other documents various steps that should be taken to regarding family philanthropic activity that were developed from the identify, propose, agree and disburse in South Africa, and important trends. workshop included: grants; the receipt and provision of We also created a short questionnaire reports; and the frequency of on the fi nancial, structural and • A policy document covering: foundation meetings. mandate concerns detailed above to be - Budgets and budget allocations; completed by each member of the - Budget approval processes; Opportunities/Proposed family. The responses were then used - The allocation of responsibility for next steps as a key input at the workshop. The managing funds and projects; workshop produced a shared - The geographical focus of In parallel to the fi nalisation of the understanding as to why we could and activities; and process for formalising and should continue, expand and formalise - Funding guidelines. coordinating the family’s philanthropic our family philanthropic activities. activities, we have offi cially set up a • A grant proposal document PBO structure and a corresponding Why can we carry out philanthropic providing a template for any new trust deed, and have confi rmed the initiatives? grants proposed by family members appointment of three trustees: one of We have had the benefi t of numerous (see next page); whom is a family member; one of 

Vision To acknowledge and leverage our privilege in a way that gives us a sense of purpose and leave a meaningful legacy of reducing inequality contributing to a thriving South African society.

Goals 1. Support the 2. Contribute towards 3. Contribute towards the 4. Use influence to affect 5. Ensure that family advancement of families improved education for creation of a thriving positive change and members are engaged close vulnerable society in areas of family ensure meaningful members of South to ours South Africans interest national debate African society

- To reduce the financial - To contribute towards To ensure that areas of - Increase access to - Remain engaged in burden placed on family improved educational family interest are funding by causes that issues of national interest Objectives employees outcomes in supported and continue we believe in - Ensure that the family is - To ensure that the South Africa to thrive - Increase the perceived to be relevant families of our employees - To remove financial sustainability and and has a voice in critical are increasingly barriers for capable independence of national conversations financially resilient young people in reaching investigative journalism their educational and advocacy potential organisations

Activities - Ad hoc support for - Early Childhood Support of South African - Supporting NGO’s that - Representation on NGO employees and their Development NGOs that align with carry out activities in boards family members - Scholarships and personal interests of investigative journalism - Assigning - Ongoing engagement Bursaries family members and advocacy responsibilities for family with beneficiaries - Support of Education - Ongoing engagement philanthropy amongst NGOs with other South Africans family members encouraging them to support worthy causes

Success All beneficiaries engaged Improved educational Contribution to building Attraction of funding to Sense of purpose and in meaningful education access to and performance a thriving South African causes of family interest contribution or work of beneficiaries society Vibrant national debate

Principles Catalytic impact | Involvement from family | No public advertisement | Sound due diligence

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 41 Over time, family • Our growing involvement in the • We are becoming more aware of the members change and philanthropic space has increased our many things we don’t know and are awareness of the signifi cant levels of excited at the possibility of program priorities change; activity that take place in all areas of continuing this learning journey what holds the family and family focus, and has heightened our alongside other families and its philanthropy together is desire to increase the linkages among civil-society stakeholders in the the legacy of its values. This relevant stakeholders in order to philanthropy space. decrease both gaps and overlaps, and legacy provides continuity ensure eff ective collaboration as far As a family we are grateful for the and our donor family as possible; bonds that have been strengthened believes it is that continuity between family members through the – the family values – that • We have found that establishing a work of our foundation, as well as the formal PBO structure can be a relationships we have developed with gives the family philanthropy diffi cult task, to which we should the organisations and communities its special character. have allocated more time and we support.  BRUCE SIEVERS IN LIVING THE LEGACY: THE VALUES resources; and OF A FAMILY’S PHILANTHROPY ACROSS GENERATIONS

Family Foundaon: Grant Proposal Document whom is a business associate closely linked to the family; and one of whom is a specialist in the fi eld of Name of beneficiary/beneficiary philanthropy. All funding decisions, organisaon which will be proposed by the family, should ultimately be approved and Representave of beneficiary organisaon signed off by the trustees. Family member responsible

Although we are less than two years Province into this process, we feel that we have made some important progress, and Associated strategic goal have also learned some valuable Proposed grant amount lessons which we intend to integrate into our foundation’s strategies and Site visit carried out in the past 12 months processes. Some of the most relevant learnings have included: Financial sustainability of organisaon

• We have found it diffi cult to reach Governance of organisaon our budget targets in some focus Management capacity of organisaon areas. This has been due to a lack of Strategic alignment capacity among certain grantee organisations in managing large Catalyc impact donations, as well as our eagerness Monitoring and evaluaon to gain a deep understanding of an organisation before allocating funds towards their activities; Descripon of organisaon

Descripon of project for which proposed • Many of the organisations with funding will be used which we have worked have valued the opportunity to collaborate with Amount, nature, duraon and condions us on deciding how the grant in of proposed funding

question should be spent. We have Risks and migaon plans welcomed this opportunity and recognise the benefi ts of aff ording Monitoring and evaluaon indicators the leaders of grantee organisations against which reporng will take place the ability to allocate funds to their priority needs;

42 |

The love of humankind Allan and Gill Gray’s philanthropic journey

HE ALLAN & GILL GRAY FOUNDATION of another year, a brief one-page was established in 2015 as the communication was sent to the clients Tculmination of a number of of the Allan Gray and Orbis groups of philanthropic ventures undertaken by companies, marking the beginning of a Allan and Gill Gray. In essence, this new global philanthropy: the Allan & foundation was endowed with the Gill Gray Foundation. family’s controlling interests in the Orbis and Allan Gray asset The establishment of the foundation management groups, as well as a represented the culmination of a portfolio of market securities. This remarkable 60-year-long journey brought to fruition the family’s between two soul mates, Allan and Gill long-held intention to devote most of Gray. A journey that, from its humble their wealth to philanthropic purposes beginnings in the Eastern Cape, leaving their descendants rich in touched many parts of the globe humanitarianism rather than material without ever losing the values of its assets. On 31 December 2015, while place of origin, values rooted in a deep By Anthony Farr most of the world was pre-occupied belief in the essence of ubuntu, a love with personal celebrations at the end of humankind.

44 | Family Philanthropy

On this journey, Allan Gray attended Fellowships at HBS in 1991. In 2005, Key milestones in the journey Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape Gray decided to take his philanthropic and then went on to qualify as a activities to the next level. “I wanted to 1973 Allan WB Gray founds the Allan chartered accountant. Increasingly be more strategic and to make an Gray Investment Counsel which fascinated by the world of investment, active, sustainable long-term later becomes Allan Gray Limited he then headed to Harvard Business contribution.” This led to the School (HBS) with a view to establishment of three trusts, each 1979 Allan and Gill Gray create the Allan introducing professional asset formed with the shared vision of & Gill Gray Charitable Trust management in South Africa. He seeking to foster an entrepreneurial, worked for Fidelity Investments in the equitable South Africa and forge 1989 Founding of Orbis Investment United States (US) for longer than meaningful employment Management in Bermuda expected after graduating from HBS, opportunities. before he and Gill returned home in 1991 Funding Allan Gray Orbis Fellow- 1973, when he founded what became The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation drives ships at Harvard Business School Allan Gray (Pty) Limited, initially as a the Allan Gray Fellowship, which sole proprietor. The Cape Town-based selects young South Africans with 2005 Founding of Allan Gray business prospered and was followed, entrepreneurial potential and helps to Orbis Foundation in 1989, by the founding of Bermuda- fund their university education, as well based Orbis Investment Management, as off ering comprehensive support and 2007 Formation of E2 and Allan Gray which was established to manage mentoring to help them with their Orbis Foundation Endowment global assets. studies and promote their entrepre- neurial and leadership skills as the start 2011 Establishment of Allan Gray Centre From the beginning, Gray took a of a career-long journey towards being for Values-Based Leadership at the holistic view of business, seeking to responsible business entrepreneurs. University of Cape Town’s create benefi t for all stakeholders Graduate School of Business rather than simply seeking to maximise The Endowment Trust underwrites this shareholder value. “I wanted to make a long-term commitment to students. 2013 Establishment of Allan Gray Centre positive diff erence in my daily work, by Meanwhile, E2, a South African for Leadership Ethics at Rhodes excelling on behalf of clients and Broad-Based Black Economic University earning their trust and confi dence, Empowerment (BBBEE) Trust, off ers thereby creating demand so that our end-to-end business support and 2015 Founding of Allan & Gill services would only be bought and long-term capital to Allan Gray Gray Foundation never sold,” he explained. Fellows starting their own fi rms.

This approach extends to the family’s philosophy on philanthropy. Rather than viewing the practice as a way of “giving back”, the family considers philanthropy a natural extension of what the Orbis and Allan Gray fi rms already do every day in trying to make a positive diff erence.

The ethos guiding the businesses is to create long-term value. In so doing, they make a broader contribution to society. Their philanthropy similarly operates along this continuum of trying to contribute – widening the scope of the same underlying intention to make a positive diff erence.

The family’s fi rst public philanthropic eff orts included creating the Allan & From the beginning, Gray took a holistic view of business, Gill Gray Charitable Trust in 1979 and seeking to create benefi t for all stakeholders rather than simply funding the Allan Gray Orbis seeking to maximise shareholder value.

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 45 Then, in December 2015, the Allan & Gill philanthropic acts undertaken in the Philanthropy, which means “the love of Gray Foundation was established and public interest and for common mankind” in the original ancient Greek, endowed with the family’s controlling good, and by everyday efforts in is a passion that Allan and Gill share interests in the Orbis and Allan Gray which individual skills are deployed with their entire family. Indeed, the asset management groups, as well as a to enhance the quality of other establishment of the foundation was portfolio of market securities. peoples’ lives. only made possible with the enthusiastic support of their off spring. As Allan and Gill believe that their Allan and Gill believe the free Adding value for the long term and descendants are the best stewards of enterprise system is much more being of service to others is a family their values, the foundation’s eff ective than other economic systems legacy that will extend well beyond governance structure involves the in improving general living standards Allan and Gill’s own joint journey. AF family, giving them control of this and benefi tting humankind. However, humanitarian inheritance for they also hold the view that the survival Anthony Farr is the Chief Executive generations to come. The governance of this economic system depends upon Offi cer (CEO) of Allan & Gill Gray structure also provides for the the few whom it rewards particularly Philanthropy Africa management of the Orbis and Allan well investing in improving the welfare Gray groups to be delegated to their of their fellow citizens to help them respective executive management realise their full potential. We want to develop teams. The perpetual nature of the programmes that enhance foundation empowers the executives The foundation will therefore focus on to focus entirely on securing the active philanthropy, primarily pursuing the skills of young Africans long-term interests of their clients, internally developed programmes, to empower them to lead free from the short-term pressures initially with a focus on Africa. “We their citizenry and nations to that third-party ownership can bring. want to develop programmes that a brighter future, which enhance the skills of young Africans to The dual philanthropic and client- empower them to lead their citizenry is certainly within their centred purposes of the foundation and nations to a brighter future, which grasp. embody Allan and Gill’s belief that is certainly within their grasp,” said humanity is best served by Allan Gray.

Impact of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation

46 | Family Philanthropy

Harry Oppenheimer

HE OPPENHEIMER MEMORIAL TRUST was established by Harry TOppenheimer in 1958 in memory Ideas matter of his father, Sir Ernest, who had occupied a dominant position in the History of the Oppenheimer South African gold and diamond industries for fi fty years. The Trust has Memorial Trust a long history of involving independent trustees along with family members on By Clare Digby and Bobby Godsell its Board and stewardship of the Trust has now extended to four generations 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 47 of the Oppenheimer family. Over the of this company at that time. He characteristics not only informed the past fi ve years, distributions made by remained in this role and as Chairman intent of the Trust and its activities but the Trust have ranged from R100 million of Anglo American until his death forty also motivated his decisions to establish to R130 million annually with roughly years later. the Anglo American Chairman’s Fund, 60% allocated to higher education as the De Beers Fund, and The Urban part of a sustained eff ort to build the Harry Oppenheimer, Ernest’s son, joined Foundation, among other important local academy. The Trust also funds the boards of Anglo American and De social investment initiatives. basic education and early childhood Beers in 1934 and for six decades development initiatives, as well as presided over many successful The founding Trustees included socially agencies actively engaged in the arts, developments domestically and conscious businessmen, as well as policy research and advocacy work. internationally, including the opening up experts in education. Bill Wilson and of the Free State goldfi elds; gold mining Harry Oppenheimer were instrumental The Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial operations on the far west in developing the ethos of the Trust and Trust (EOMT) was established by Harry Witwatersrand; and the expansion of other key fi gures played a prominent Oppenheimer in 1958 to honour and copper mining interests in Zambia. A few part in its evolution through the 1960s celebrate the life of his father, Ernest years after his death in August 2000, the to the 1990s, including Richard Hagart, Oppenheimer who, in 1902 at the age EOMT was renamed the Oppenheimer Ian Haggie, Thomas Stratten, Keith of 22, immigrated to South Africa. Memorial Trust (OMT) to honour his Acutt, GR Bozzoli, Richard King, Mary Ernest became one of this country’s memory. Both men were characterised Slack, Helen Suzman, Bobby Godsell, leading business-statesmen, founding by an unusual combination of Nicky Oppenheimer and Michael the Anglo American Corporation in entrepreneurial success, philanthropy O’Dowd. Subsequent appointments to 1917, a major new Johannesburg-based and a deep commitment to civic duty the Board included Charles van mining fi nance house which built a and nation-building. Between them, they Onselen, Jennifer Oppenheimer, Zanele dominant position in gold mining and served 25 years in Parliament. Like his Mbeki, Thero Setiloane, Wieland the diamond industry. The Corporation father, Harry was known both for his Gevers, Margie Keeton, Trish Trahar, became the single largest shareholder business acumen and his enlightened Jessica Slack-Jell, Polly Carr, Mamphela in De Beers by the end of the 1920s approach to the role of business in Ramphele, Cheryl de la Rey, Jonathan and Ernest assumed the chairmanship society. From the outset, these Jansen, Devi Rajab, Leigh Bregman, Nomhle Canca and Loyiso Nongxa.

The Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (EOMT) was established by Harry Oppenheimer in 1958 to honour and celebrate the life of his father, Ernest Oppenheimer who, in 1902 at the age of 22, immigrated to South Africa.

Today, Harry’s daughter and son, Mary Slack and Nicky Oppenheimer, continue as leaders of the Trust; and with the involvement of two of their children, Jonathan Oppenheimer and Rebecca Oppenheimer, on the 12-strong Board, the OMT now refl ects the energy and interests of four generations of the family. Endowed at inception, the OMT has a long tradition of investing in education and other

Harry and Ernest Oppenheimer in Amsterdam in November 1945. (Source: Wikipedia) public-interest activities. The

48 | Family Philanthropy

Over the past fi ve years, the Trust has distributed of the order of R100 million to R130 million annually, with allocations to higher education constituting roughly 60% of the total in keeping with the Trust’s consistent focus on this sector and its eff orts to contribute to building the local academy.

agenda. The South African Institute of Race Relations is one of the longest standing such bodies but there are many other agencies actively engaged in the arts, policy research and advocacy work that promote values central to the Trust’s vision that have benefi tted from the OMT’s support since inception.

The Trust’s founder believed that ideas matter and the Trust has clear guidelines for all of its activities. It has, however, consistently sought to apply these guidelines in a spirit of wise judgment rather than bureaucratic compliance.

The continued, active involvement of

From leſt to right: Nicky Oppenheimer, Mary Oppenheimer-Slack, Rebecca Oppenheimer and Jonathan Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer family members has ensured a dynamic connection to the Oppenheimers donated an additional scholarships at postgraduate level and life and values of Ernest and Harry sum of R1 billion to the OMT in 2012, grants for high-level training, Oppenheimer, while the signifi cant underlining the family’s commitment to knowledge production and academic involvement of the independent contributing to making a positive excellence. The fl agship Harry trustees ensures that these values diff erence to South African society. Oppenheimer Fellowship, which carries connect to the challenges of

a monetary value of R2 million and contemporary South Africa. CD BG Over the past fi ve years, the Trust has which ranks as one of Africa’s most distributed of the order of R100 million prestigious research grants, is a regular Clare Digby is Chief Executive Offi cer to R130 million annually, with of the OMT’s annual giving. More and Bobby Godsell is a Trustee of the allocations to higher education recently, the Trust has become a Oppenheimer Memorial Trust constituting roughly 60% of the total in signifi cant funder of resource and keeping with the Trust’s consistent training organisations active in early focus on this sector and its eff orts to childhood development and the basic contribute to building the local education sector. academy. Funding for higher education at public universities in South Africa The Trust also has a proud record of includes support for undergraduate supporting non-governmental education for capable students from organisations which contribute to the poor backgrounds, merit-based public discourse and the national

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 49 Supporting local organisations and initiatives Transforming power and improving quality of life in communities By Joanne Harding

OMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS AND produce a more inclusive, sustainable, fi nancial and technical resources. COMMUNITY GRANTMAKERS stable model for growth in sub- Imagine a society in which C empower local communities to Saharan Africa, where elites can exert communities determine their own shape their own agendas and address relatively unaccountable control over priorities and ensure that these are what they see as their development societies and economies and addressed so that their needs are met priorities. In so doing, they transform development has been characterised and they fl ourish. In this picture, people the discourse between those in power by inadequate consultation with local are empowered with money and and the people who the money is communities which have been technical expertise to determine their intended to help. This is crucial to aff orded only limited access to own destinies. Marc Broere (2019), in

A women sewing project in the Eastern Cape.

50 | Community Philanthropy

an article titled “Shift the Power”, says the call to transform the power balance in development cooperation is growing ever louder and that the time has come for more local leadership. Development funding should not be about who can write the best proposal. It should be about mobilising and building a strong local base. In a world in which the space for civil society is shrinking, innovation and new ways of thinking will be required to champion and embed such a narrative.

Power and Control in Development

Consulting grantees at a SCAT workshop. Development in sub-Saharan Africa has been characterised by inadequate Community foundations/grantmakers consultation with local communities What sets community also change the discourse between which have been aff orded only limited foundations and grant- those in power and the people the access to fi nancial and technical makers apart from other money is intended to help. They have a resources. Those with money and power deep understanding of the values, have generally operated according to types of organisation in the cultures and assets in a community the belief that the kind of expertise that development arena is their because they have invested time and enabled a minority to enjoy massive commitment to building trust resources in engaging with the local wealth is the same as that required to whilst consulting with and people and their cultures. In sub- address poverty and underdevelopment. Saharan Africa the principle of ubuntu is Accordingly, in South Africa, despite a empowering local people to a core value and interventions shaped Bill of Rights and a progressive identify their assets, by this principle can be welcomed. Constitution, there has been a lack of determine their priorities, and Accordingly, Ikhala Trust, an meaningful engagement with local plan their own futures. organisation working in the Eastern communities by those in power. In Cape in South Africa, has been Zimbabwe, civil society is silenced championing asset-based community through violence and intimidation. An based organisations which raise funds development (ABCD) in their approach absence of trust and the widely held from the community, businesses and to philanthropy. This methodology helps view that poor, vulnerable people are larger philanthropic entities which are communities and organisations to incapable of managing resources has then re-granted to organisations and identify both their tangible and meant that money is seldom passed to projects in the local community. intangible assets and then assess what community organisations by Community grantmakers are local, can be done with these to improve lives. international NGOs, business and indigenous organisations which raise government, thereby enabling people to funds for specifi c focus areas and work African Models of Community determine their own priorities and with local community agencies. Both Foundations agendas. In this context, it is therefore kinds of institutions do more than pass perhaps unsurprising that there are high on money; they also build the capacity Few community foundations in Africa levels of anger and confl ict in of community-based organisations to mirror those found in the Americas and communities which is often expressed manage themselves and respond to some parts of Europe, either in their through violent, destructive protests. community needs more eff ectively. institutional formation or methods. What sets community foundations and However, community philanthropy is The Role of Community grantmakers apart from other types of well developed and practised in Africa, Foundations and Grantmakers organisation in the development arena for example in the form of “stokvels”; is their commitment to building trust diaspora remittances to families; skills Community foundations and whilst consulting with and empowering exchanges; the provision of food and grantmakers have an important role to local people to identify their assets, clothing to the disadvantaged and play in addressing this challenge. determine their priorities, and plan those in crisis; and emotional support Community foundations are locally their own futures. groups. Such philanthropy can help 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 51 A feeding scheme in Ceres run by the Witzenberg Rural Development Centre.

Working where the Community foundations/grantmakers Catalysts for Change can also provide loans in the form of people are, community start-up capital for new businesses and Working where the people are, foundations and grant funding for projects which community foundations and grantmakers are able to act address socio-economic needs not grantmakers are able to act as catalysts as catalysts for change. They being serviced by the government. For for change. They move money to the example, the Community places where it is needed most. For move money to the places Development Foundation Western example, the Social Change Assistance where it is needed most. Cape (CDF) in Cape Town works in Trust (SCAT) reaches thirty impoverished, gang-aff ected communities in four provinces in South families to hold events like weddings communities on the Cape Flats; Africa, providing grants, organisational and funerals; off er support to students supports women’s initiatives and development training, mentorship and seeking to graduate; provide relief in promotes a healthy environment. The support. Raising funds from times of crisis; and enable individuals to projects funded and supported by international and local funders in both purchase larger assets. It can off er a CDF provide respite from persistent the business and government sectors, safety net for the vulnerable. gang violence, which has intensifi ed in using funds generated by its own Additionally, this type of philanthropy 2019 leaving many people in fear for endowment and moving this money can bring welcome relief and their lives. Similarly, the Uluntu into communities, SCAT is able to limit sustenance in low and middle-income Community Foundation in Bulawayo, the infl uence of external agendas on countries and emerging democracies Zimbabwe, funds and supports groups the locally-based and run organisations recovering from the ravages of living in extreme poverty, equipping that it supports. Accordingly, the local colonialism, civil war and environmental them with business management and development agencies supported by crises, in which governments are unable other skills, and providing farming SCAT address genuine community to meet the needs of their populations. equipment and seedlings. needs rather than off ering

52 | Community Philanthropy

disconnected responses designed by Resource Mobilisation Taken together, such fundraising eff orts far-removed development experts. In can form the basis for establishing a addition to the provision of fi nancial Mobilising fi nancial resources and foundation and building longer-term and technical backing, SCAT provides technical assistance is a key function of fi nancial sustainability. training and organisational community foundations. For the most development support to ensure that part this means building an Corruption and the looting of community organisations are well-run endowment. This can be done in government coff ers pose a signifi cant and eff ective, and that their leadership various ways. Most foundations will challenge in contemporary South is developed. SCAT, like community keep some of the donations received Africa. Such practices are fuelled by foundations, is also able to act as an from the community and external greed and the desire to amass wealth intermediary for funders who wish to sources to build up the endowment on the part of a small group of reach local organisations but lack the which is then invested to maximise privileged individuals. By contrast, the capacity and understanding to do so. returns without compromising values. funds held by community foundations mostly comprise voluntary donations Action research conducted by An example of such a mechanism is from the community, which are then community foundations enables Ditikeni Investments, which is a given back to the community through international funders, government broad-based black economic local organisations and initiatives. By agencies and NGOs to reach a better empowerment (BBBEE) investment- design and in its essence, this funding understanding of the problems they holding company with a track record of model fosters accountability to the are trying to address. For example, acquiring investments and distributing community that contributed the funds. Community Chest in the Western Cape the profi ts from these to its As a result, it also promotes high levels recently conducted a survey at ten benefi ciaries which are non- of transparency. Community schools on the Cape Flats to governmental organisations (NGOs). foundations, grantmakers and investigate patterns of absenteeism Ditikeni was established 20 years ago community-based organisations due to menstruation and other by a number of non-profi t (CBOs) report to the communities and sex-education and female-health organisations seeking fi nancial funders that provide the resources, issues. The knowledge that it acquired sustainability. NGOs use some of the detailing how the funds are spent and as a result will help to forge funds produced by the vehicle for their how the endowments which have been  interventions that take action where it is needed most.

Community foundations can also support the vital work of local organisations by publicising their activities to attract external resources. In this regard, community foundations play an important impartial, connecting role, standing outside the uncoordinated eff orts of churches, government bodies, corporate social investment (CSI) funders and large development agencies, all of which tend to act in isolation in pursuit of their individual agendas. As an entry point to communities, community Programme Offi cer Vuyo Msizi in Qongquotha in the Eastern Cape talking to men working in an agricultural project. foundations play a key role in co- ordinating local plans, bringing a day-to-day running costs and may broad-brush approach to the specifi c re-invest some of the dividends to Community foundations development challenges encountered. build its endowment. Adopting another can also support the vital The community foundations/ approach to building some fi nancial grantmakers’ capacity to bring local sustainability, community foundations work of local organisations community resources to the table also may start small by holding local events by publicising their activities strengthens their hand in the broader which generate a profi t and bring the to attract external resources philanthropic environment at the same community together to raise funds at and play an important time that it empowers the local the same time as they approach fi rms communities themselves. and individuals to make donations. impartial, connecting role.

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 53 accrued are used. Trust, underpinned Local philanthropy is important safety-net gaps in society and the by accountability and transparency, is because it fosters resilience. Local inequalities caused by the crucial to the relationships between communities can ensure that their organisation of societies. In South community foundations, communities own agendas are not lost to Africa, where the levels of inequality and funders. In order to promote local fl uctuating political priorities. In times are among the greatest in the world, it philanthropy, SCAT holds a fund that of crisis, local residents do not have to is increasingly important to contribute can provide R5 for every R1 made from wait for external resources to come to to campaigns that seek to change the local fundraising. This encourages their rescue, since community way in which resources are accountability between the local foundations are responsive and can distributed. In this context, community development agencies supported by ensure that the money is moved to foundations/grantmakers are a useful SCAT and the communities in which where it is required timeously. In vehicle which can contribute to they are based. places that have been hit by fl oods, building a strong, vibrant, truly

earthquakes, fi res and other natural inclusive civil society. JH Trust, Relationships and Local disasters, it is often community Philanthropy foundations/grantmakers that have Joanne Harding is the Director of the played the intermediary role to ensure Social Change Assistance Trust (SCAT) One of the most valuable contributions the funds reached the places where made by community foundations/ they were needed most. For example, References grantmakers is the legacy of historical the Community Foundation for the trust and social relationships that they Western Region of Zimbabwe • Broer, M. (ed.) (2019). “Shift the Power! build over time. This legacy helps mobilised resources to assist people local ownership of the local agenda”. sponsored projects to take root and who lost their homes and land during Change the Game Academy Special, Vice have an actual impact. In addition, fl oods caused by Cyclone Idai in 2019. Versa: Journalism on Global Development, community foundations support the Spring. Retrieved from: https://www. development of local leadership through Like all organisational forms, changethegameacademy.org/wp- capacity building and by promoting community foundations change over content/uploads/2019/05/VV19DRM_ shared responsibility for managing time. Social justice approaches Special_ENG_DEF.pdf money. Thus, local people are able to seeking to address the root causes of • Hodgeson, J. (2016). “Community make strategic decisions and forge their health, welfare and development Philanthropy: a brave new model for own progress. Community foundations needs have played an increasingly development funding?” The Guardian are founded by local leaders in the important part in shaping their International Edition, 29 November. community; and community agendas. By nature, most community Retrieved from https://www.theguardian. grantmakers are staff ed by indigenous foundations are non-partisan and com/global-development-professionals- leaders who have expertise in NGO apolitical. However, many have started network/2016/nov/29/community- management and grantmaking. Building to support social movements and philanthropy-a-brave-new-model-for- local leadership and transferring other civil society eff orts to address development-funding leadership skills are key functions of the forces and structural factors which • Sacks, E.W. (2014). The Growing both organisational forms, which contribute to inequality. In this regard, Importance of Community Foundations. contribute to the longevity of CBOs. there is a need to address both the Abingdon-on-Thames: Taylor and Francis Routledge. Retrieved from https:// philanthropy.iupui.edu/fi les/fi le/the_ growing_importance_of_community_ foundations-fi nal_reduce_fi le_size_2.pdf • Wardrip, K., Lambe, W., and Zeeuw, M. (2016). “Follow the Money: An Analysis of Foundation Grantmaking for Community and Economic Development”. The Foundation Review 8:3, pp. 51-65. Retrieved from: http//schlarworks.gvsu. edu/tfr/vol8/iss3/7 • Wilkinson-Maposa, S., Fowler, A., Oliver-Evans, C., and Mulenga, C.F.N. (2005). The Poor Philanthropist. How and Why the Poor Help Each Other. Cape Town, South Africa: UCT Graduate School

An appreciative inquiry which is a methodology in the Asset Based Community Development Approach SCAT. of Business.

54 | Social Justice

Philanthropy and independent journalism in support of democracy

generally failed to drive systemic individual and collaborative eff orts, change. Accordingly, fi rmer these reporters pieced together the commitments by philanthropists are various aspects of what was revealed required to strengthen investigative to be a systematic eff ort to usurp the journalism and the civil-society machinery of the state for personal ecosystem in which it thrives, and gain – the story of what came to be which it promotes. known as “state capture”.

For the past few years, a culture of These journalists played an important By Bongiwe Mlangeni and impunity has appeared to take hold in role in bringing the country back from Menzi Bhengu the South African government and the edge of even greater damage and corporate sectors. State institutions fostered advocacy campaigns mounted entrusted with ensuring accountability by civil society to seek greater NVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS HAVE LED THE and sound governance of public accountability from the government WAY IN COUNTERING A CULTURE OF resources have faltered and corruption and protect the constitutional rights of  IIMPUNITY IN GOVERNMENT and has undermined the fabric of the uncovering graft throughout the state. country’s constitutional democracy. Firmer commitments by However, philanthropists have tended South Africa as a whole would have to overlook the importance of remained in the dark about the extent philanthropists are required supporting independent media, which of the malfeasance orchestrated by to strengthen investigative can help to promote a vibrant both public offi cials and corporate journalism and the civil- democracy; often choosing instead to actors had it not been for a small group society ecosystem in which it back educational, religious and of investigative journalists who worked social-welfare initiatives which, tirelessly to expose the hollowing out thrives, and which it notwithstanding their virtues, have of the state’s resources. Through their promotes.

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 55 South Africans. They clearly funding independent media and civil demonstrated that a free press, There were some promising shoots of society organisations to strengthen muscled with skilled, courageous, hope two years ago when the pool of democracy was overlooked in the rush investigative reporters, is indispensable individual major donors for this area of to support educational, religious and for a vibrant democracy and an activity appeared to expand. For social-welfare initiatives. empowered citizenry. example, in 2017, the Social Justice Notwithstanding the impacts of some Initiative (SJI) collaborated with a of this support, it has, arguably, failed Much of the impactful investigative group of wealthy local entrepreneurs, to drive systemic change in the past 25 journalism undertaken by independent who mobilised their networks in years, or prove of any great use in media outlets over the past decade has support of investigative journalism and defending democracy when it has been supported by foundations and raised signifi cant amounts. At the same come under threat. philanthropists, indicating the probable time, SJI was able to mobilise matching future trajectory of such journalism. funds which were invested in a number Meanwhile, the fourth estate clearly The non-profi t sector has supported, of independent media houses and requires increased investment in order and is likely to continue to support, the associated advocacy organisations. to continue to perform its function of eff orts of independent reporters. promoting democracy. In this regard, it However, although investigative Then “Ramaphoria” happened. A wave has been encouraging to see the Open journalism has demonstrated its of excitement over the possibility of Society Foundation for South Africa broader value, funding for this work Cyril Ramaphosa becoming president (OSF-SA), partnering with the remains at low levels. of the country appeared to infuse some University of the Witwatersrand and sectors of society with great hope. Rhodes University to launch a special Attention was distracted from the programme to produce the next Much of the impactful persistent problems that the generation of investigative reporters. investigative journalism government still faced; and the interest undertaken by independent of individual major donors in funding However, it is clear that greater support media outlets over the past investigative journalism and advocacy from philanthropy is needed to enable waned. In some ways, this response investigative journalism to thrive, decade has been supported came as no surprise. together with the civil society context by foundations and in which it operates. For example, philanthropists, indicating A similar trend emerged after the funding is required to establish introduction of democracy in 1994 adequate frameworks to protect and the probable future when a wave of excitement driven by support whistle-blowers; and mount trajectory of such “Mandela magic” overtook advocacy campaigns and legal journalism. philanthropy. The importance of processes that can produce tangible outcomes when journalists uncover serious wrongdoing. In addition, support should be off ered to organisations seeking to track and counter “fake news” that may be disseminated to undermine democracy.

The task of building solid, accountable state institutions requires active citizens who are informed and can hold their leaders to account. Accordingly, South Africa needs its independent, investigative media to be sustained and improved as part of broader eff orts to safeguard the country’s constitutional democracy and ensure that it equitably

serves all people living here. BM MB

Bongiwe Mlangeni and Menzi Bhengu are Executive Director and Snr. Relationship Manager at the Social Justice Initiative.

56 | An independent grant-maker investing in mathematics and language education in South Africa since 1995.

STRENGTHENING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM THROUGH:

Supporting mathematics and language, driven by evidence of a proven relationship between language profi ciency and success in mathematics.

Working with government in four provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Eastern Cape to balance urban-rural, socio-economic and language contexts. Working nationally where strategic opportunities arise.

Investing in: • Designing and testing small-scale interventions, and partnering with government for large-scale interventions. • Commissioning research and evaluation for evidence of what works in education. • Developing resources to optimise teaching and learning. • Advancing thought leadership to infl uence policy and practice.

To fi nd out more: www.zenexfoundation.org.za

NASCEE A5 Ad-Draft 2.ai 1 2019/09/04 8:04 AM

ZENEX A5 Ad-Draft 4.indd 1 2019/09/09 2:14 PM

NASCEE ampliťes the voice of non-proťt entities working in education. It is a collaborative initiative of NPOs committed to building a high quality equitable education system for all South Africans.

We focus on maximising the contribution of NPOs to improving the education system by:

• Boosting their visibility, • Mobilising a support network, including funders, government and other social change entities, • Building a positive image of NPOs locally and internationally.

NASCEE supports lifelong learning and transformation by embracing and encouraging SOCIAL INNOVATION – INTEGRITY – ACCOUNTABILITY – PARTNERSHIP

Contacting NASCEE is your ťrst step to leveraging the potential of non-proťt entities in education. Write to us at [email protected] To ťnd out more: www.nascee.org.za A journey of learning

Zenex Foundation’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Experience

inform these and future initiatives, but underpinned by research and M&E has foster evidence-based planning across been adopted by the foundation as the education sector and provide part of its modus operandi. tried-and-tested models that may be implemented more widely to improve The education sector has played a outcomes. Many lessons have been leading role in using evidence to drive learned along the way in terms of the decision-making and has been at the development of strategies, planning forefront of developing the M&E and implementation in line with the discipline. This is perhaps unsurprising requirements of eff ective M&E, given the education system’s focus on including the importance and benefi ts tracking and responding to children’s of engaging project participants learning through assessment. Beyond directly in evaluation processes. the education sector, M&E has now taken root more broadly across the Since the birth of the Zenex government in the wake of the Foundation in 1995, monitoring and establishment of the Department of evaluation (M&E) has been such an Planning Monitoring and Evaluation By Gail Campbell integral part of its approach to (DPME). In addition, there has been grant-making in the fi eld of education widespread donor interest in, and that it may be considered to be part of support for M&E in order to foster a HE ZENEX FOUNDATION has made the foundation’s DNA. Which is not to better understanding of what works great eff orts to integrate M&E say that it has been a smooth journey. and doesn’t work in any given Tprocesses into the projects that it However, with high-level buy-in from programme and under what funds in the belief that proper Zenex’s board of trustees, an conditions, as well as how and why evaluation of impacts can not only evidence-based approach things are working or not working.

58 | Monitoring and Evaluation

The Purpose of Monitoring and improve the strategic direction of these When M&E is embedded within an Evaluation: Building a Body initiatives. For example, a project which organisation, it shapes how that body of Evidence it funded that had been designed to formulates its broad strategy; the kinds improve pupils’ performance in maths of plans it develops; the The purpose of M&E is about more and sciences in isolation was amended implementation processes that it than just monitoring and accounting for to include support for English from follows; and how benefi ciaries may be a project’s implementation and tracking 2007 after M&E focussed on the engaged, and respond to, the fi ndings any changes among its participants, initiative’s impact found that the pupils on project impacts. The four steps of although these are important functions. needed to acquire a good level of the M&E process are outlined below. M&E, if properly integrated into an profi ciency in English in order to organisation or project, can support engage properly in the maths and FIGURE 2: The Four Steps of the M&E Process planning, reporting, learning and sciences training on off er. So, the THE FOUR STEPS OF THE contributing to the production of more project focus was adjusted. M&E PROCESS eff ective solutions in future. This is a crucial function for philanthropy, since At the same time as Zenex has attached 1 many of the development challenges increasing importance to M&E as an STRATEGY that it addresses may be termed invaluable learning tool, it has also come Developing a theory of change “wicked problems” (Rittel 1973). There is to understand that evaluations cannot often no single solution for broad provide a single defi nitive solution socio-economic challenges, such as because of the complexity of the those faced by the education sector in problems being addressed. Accordingly, 2 South Africa, which tend to exhibit a it has been argued by some that the PLANNING complex set of interdependencies. For money allocated to M&E could be better The purpose and design of the evaluation this reason, Zenex’s primary interest in spent on project activities that may M&E is as a tool for learning that, by have a direct eff ect on improving identifying how and why certain educational outcomes. The argument initiatives and projects succeed or fail, presents a particularly sharp moral 3 can provide a model for evidence-based conundrum for grant-makers working in IMPLEMENTATION planning in this fi eld and help to create a education, given the scale and M&E and the project more eff ective education sector. complexity of the need in the sector. Evaluations do indeed represent an At the same time, it is important to additional cost. However, the note that the Zenex Foundation has importance of M&E for ongoing learning 4 previously conducted evaluations of its about which kinds of activities and DISSEMINATION, UTILISATION AND UPTAKE projects primarily in order to build a projects can be most eff ective should Influencing policy and practice body of evidence to inform and also not be underestimated.

Jika iMfundo 2015-2017 : Why, what and key learnings

FIGURE 1: Purposes of evaluation (Source: https://www.iied.org) Step 1: Strategy: Developing a theory of change The fi rst step is developing an organisational strategy and a theory of change (ToC) which underpins this strategy. Developing a theory of change moves an organisation away from what Professor Mary Metcalfe in her report titled Jika iMfundo 2015– 2017: Why, what and key learnings refers to as “magical thinking”. Having good intentions; funding a good idea; and having a good policy will not necessarily, or “magically”, make change happen. A theory of change entails carefully outlining the actual pathways that may need to be followed to eff ect change. The Zenex 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 59 Foundation has learned a number of the factors that may aff ect success; Step 2: Planning: The purpose and lessons about forging a theory of and matching the project resources design of the evaluation change, including that: to anticipated outcomes. The evaluation team contracted by Zenex uses the theory of change as a • A theory of change should avoid • The development of appropriate map according to which it designs the linear cause-eff ect assumptions. ToCs requires an “involved” donor or evaluation and data collection Williams and Van ‘t Hof (1978) noted what Zenex terms an processes for the projects supported that ToCs must take account of the “interventionist” donor. In this regard, by the foundation. The design of the complexity of “wicked problems”. A Zenex has moved away from a evaluation process for any given theory of change should not be seen proposal-driven grant-making project must be linked to its purpose as a static, and thus quite blunt, approach to one in which it plays a and the broader value and credibility instrument. The ToC should be much more active role. Although the of the evaluation itself. A number of adapted according to the feedback foundation understands that this lessons have been learnt in relation to from the evaluations that are form of grant-making may be designing appropriate evaluation conducted into the eff ectiveness of criticised for being donor-driven, it processes: the projects and programmes has also received feedback from concerned. For example, Zenex non-profi t and government * Pilot projects and innovative developed an initiative in which stakeholders indicating that this programmes require detailed pupils from socio-economically approach is welcomed since it has information on delivery and deprived backgrounds who showed moved Zenex away from being a participant experiences. For potential were placed in better- distant funder to being integrally example, in a pilot literacy project performing schools. The “if-then” involved (Zenex Foundation 2017). sponsored by Zenex, evaluators expectation was that, as a result, used a case-study approach, they would matriculate with good collecting fine-grain data from grades, thus increasing the pool of Zenex has moved away each participating school in order black pupils able to access maths from a proposal-driven to produce a better understanding and science careers. However, an grant-making approach to of the impacts of literacy teaching evaluation of the programme in a range of contexts: urban and indicated that it required more one in which it plays a much rural; multi-lingual and-mono- than individual potential and a more active role. lingual; and more resourced and good school to produce this cadre. less resourced. Other components needed to be

added, such as additional academic FIGURE 3: A participatory approach to M&E (Source: https://community.namati.org) and psycho-social support; mentors at schools; and advice on career choices, university applications and bursaries.

• Adopting a participatory, inclusive approach to developing a theory of change for a project or programme takes time and has cost implications. At Zenex, such processes generally involve the team at the foundation; an external team of evaluators to whom the M&E is subcontracted; the partners from the non-governmental organisation (NGO) concerned; and the relevant education department offi cials. Such processes generally entail thoughtful conversations to unpack what success may look like; outline the assumptions and spheres of accountability underpinning the project; identify

60 | Monitoring and Evaluation

• In looking at impacts, evaluators FIGURE 4: How not to collect data (Source: https://community.namati.org) measure results and attribute them to the intervention. In order to produce conclusive fi ndings on which results may or may not be attributed to the particular intervention, the best approach is to adopt an “experimental” approach, in which the impacts are also measured in a signifi cant number of “control” environments. However, the “experimental” approach is a relatively expensive form of evaluation. Previously, in an eff ort to manage costs, Zenex selected too few “control” schools for testing and, as a result, found in a 10-year review it conducted in 2007, that it lacked conclusive evidence on the success or otherwise of its interventions.

• Zenex’s grant-making approach has only to track attendance but also to The M&E process is changed. Previously, the board link attendance to the individual owned by all the stake- approved project grants and then teachers being trained. For example, in holders as part of the commissioned an evaluation. one project, although attendance Implementation would often proceed levels of 95% were recorded, it became project, which promotes before an evaluation team had been clear on closer inspection that a great learning among the recruited. Now, evaluation is included number of diff erent teachers were participants. in the design and planning of attending the various training sessions, projects from the outset; and the many of whom were not among the grant-making proposals for both the group of teachers originally targeted. Step 4: Dissemination, utilisation project and evaluation are submitted and uptake: Infl uencing policy to the board simultaneously. • Involving all participants in collecting and practice monitoring data requires a capacity- Michael Quinn Patton (1978) has Step 3: Implementation: M&E and building approach. For example, in one written extensively on utilisation- the project large-scale initiative involving 12 NGOs focused evaluation. This method Most of Zenex’s evaluations run in conducted across four provinces, the employs the principle that evaluation parallel with the implementation of the participating organisations were should be planned and conducted in a projects themselves and are trained to input, check and analyse the way that enhances its utilisation and participatory in nature. The funders; the appropriate data. They were also uptake. Accordingly, the dissemination NGO partners; the relevant school taught how to use this data to inform of M&E results to those participating community, including the teachers, the the project’s implementation. in the projects it supports is an pupils and the parents, are all involved essential part of the evaluation in collecting the data and there is • An independent evaluation team is methodology promoted by Zenex. frequent discussion of evaluation not always required to implement However, eff ective engagement in fi ndings. Thus, the M&E process is M&E. In one teacher-training relation to the communication of the owned by all the stakeholders as part programme, the participating results of evaluations faces a of the project, which promotes learning teachers kept diaries refl ecting on number of challenges: among the participants. A number of what they had learnt; and the NGO lessons have been learnt in this regard: partner collected the attendance and • In general, people don’t like to participant-feedback data. In addition, receive bad news. It is therefore • The data chosen for collection must since the teachers were undertaking important to place the emphasis on relate to the outcomes being tracked. an accredited training programme, the the importance of learning from the For example, Zenex learnt that, in results from the responsible tertiary results of evaluations and how they monitoring teacher training institution could be used as a measure can be used to create improvement, programmes, it was necessary not of the outcomes. particularly if the evaluator’s 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 61 judgement is that a project or the English test”. In the aftermath, focussed on developing emerging components of a project have failed Zenex had to invest in renewed black evaluators and on strengthening to achieve the targets that were set. trust-building processes in support the M&E capabilities of NGOs. The For example, in one project, instead of the project. foundation is also increasingly of focusing on the poor results of • The process of creating sectoral focussing on the utilisation and uptake pupils, the participating schools were change can be slow and a number of of M&E fi ndings, to inform both its own engaged at a problem-solving diff erent strategies for disseminating work and that of the education sector

meeting, at which realistic, evaluation fi ndings to inform more broadly. GC incremental targets for learning policymaking and practices more among their pupils were established. broadly may be required. Some Gail Campbell is Chief Executive Offi cer important evidence may be shared of the Zenex Foundation • Zenex has learnt through at multiple forums; some may be experience that evaluation fi ndings used to engage particular individual References have to be carefully curated and opinion-formers and organisational that ethical guidelines must inform infl uencers, and some may be used • Patton, M. Q. (1978). Utilization-Focused how, when and whether they should in advocacy. In addition, eff orts to Evaluation. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications. be published. In one case, the promote broad change cannot be • Rittel, H. (1973). “Dilemmas in a General foundation presented interim led by one organisation alone; they Theory of Planning”. Policy Sciences pp. fi ndings of an evaluation, which had require collaboration and the 155-169. not yet been disseminated among establishment of coalitions. • Williams, B. and Van ‘t Hof, S. (2016). the teachers participating in the Wicked Solutions: A Systems Approach to programme, at a research Building on its experience of Complex Problems. London: Lulu.com conference attended by the media. integrating M&E into the projects that it • Zenex Foundation (2017). “Findings of the To the foundation’s horror, this led supports, Zenex has now embarked on 2017 Zenex Stakeholder Survey”. to a headline which took the a programme to strengthen the M&E Accessed at http://www.zenexfoundation. fi ndings out of context: “300 eco-system within the education sector org.za/images/resources/Letter%20 primary school teachers fail Grade 3 more broadly. To this end, it has and%20Infographic.pdf

62 | Feedback

Comments and quotes

thought-provoking & inspiring. The thinking around what giving means, things I learn at IPASA events inspire who should be giving and the extent me to stay focussed on co-creating our to which I am part of a bigger whole, country & to fi nd meaningful ways in working to make South Africa a better which to do this. I have also met lovely place. In this way, it has expanded my people through IPASA & always look own view of philanthropy and inspired forward to seeing everyone again. It is me to give outside of my work.” interesting to hear about the various issues other organisations (international & local) deal with and to fi nd areas of commonality. The annual symposium has become a highlight of my calendar. Anthony Farr, CEO of Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy Africa

“For philanthropy in South Africa to be able to maximise its potential impact for the betterment of society it is essential that there be collaboration between the diff erent philanthropic stakeholders. IPASA provides a unique platform for this to happen as well as creating opportunities for continuous learning and upskilling. South Africa’s challenges are complex and deep rooted – they are much bigger than any single organisation. We must therefore work together and IPASA allows us to do that more eff ectively.” Halli Manolakos-Tsehisi, Executive Head of Foundation, Students for a Better Future, Andreas & Susan Struengmann Foundation Sibongile Khumalo, Executive Director, The Learning Trust “For our foundation to maximize our programmatic impact, it is absolutely “As part of the IPASA network, The essential to partner, learn and improve Learning Trust has had the benefi t of our work through a networking belonging to a community of platform such as IPASA. IPASA like-minded philanthropists and provides a very unique space, which funders. The network and its sharing enables leaders from the various platforms have contributed to our foundations and philanthropy funding practice as an organisation, organisations to collaborate together, but also in thinking about how we understand our unique off erings and Anne Marie Bury, Trustee, Grindrod support our grantee partners in their look for spaces to listen and learn from Family Centenary Trust journey with us. The peer learning one another. Through the platform we sessions are a space for stimulating are able to partner together to better I am still learning about Philanthropy in discussion about what works and empower the country and change the South Africa & I fi nd the events what doesn’t across sectors. I’ve realities of the most needy in the organised by IPASA are always personally also been able to frame my communities we serve. “ 

PERSPECTIVES AND STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PHILANTHROPY | 63 organisations alike. The content and IPASA provides a platform for discussion are thought-provoking and philanthropy practitioners from diverse always provide a robust debate leaving backgrounds and institutions, to us inspired, personally and connect with one another and learn professionally, to approach together. Being a member of IPASA has philanthropy with a new lens.” connected me to the fi eld of philanthropy in South Africa. With no professional association for grantmakers in South Africa, IPASA has become an essential platform for professional development. Through IPASA, I have been able to keep abreast Jacquie Howard, of developments in giving in South Investec Wealth & Investment Africa and build strong relationships with members with similar interests. It “IPASA provides us, as Investec has been enriching to also be a part of Philanthropy, with access to various a national association that is linking to foundations, philanthropists and the fi eld of philanthropy in the funders, all of whom share their unique continent and the rest of the world. perspective and insight into South IPASA has become the face of African philanthropy. The annual philanthropy in South Africa and its symposium and peer-learning sessions Mamo Mohapi, Programme Offi cer, strength is through its members. I look provide an opportunity to network, The Charles Stewart Mott forward to seeing the network grow engage with and learn from a diverse Foundation and refl ect the nature of giving in group of passionate individuals and South Africa.

64 | This publication was made possible with the generous support of the Ball Family Foundation. t: +27 83 276 9510 e: [email protected] EXTENDING THE REACH & Unit 307, 203 Park Corner, IPASA IMPACT OF PHILANTHROPY INDEPENDENT PHILANTHROPY Cnr Bolton Road and Jan Smuts, ASSOCIATION SOUTH AFRICA www.ipa-sa.org.za Rosebank 2196, Johannesburg