Philanthropy in South Africa Blog

Under the skies of Constitution Hill, Justice Albie Sachs and Darren Walker were honoured for their courageous, visionary contributions to justice and equity. Surrounded by artists, activists, and community leaders, this celebration reminded us that love, creativity, and solidarity bend the arc of history. Their legacies show that justice is a living practice, carried forward by everyday courage.

Remember to carry the torch wherever you are.

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#LegaciesOfChange #Courage #UbuntuLeadership

In Monte Bertha, the Angel Warriors, supported by the WePower Program, are proving that community-driven youth philanthropy can change lives. Through projects like the Hot Water Project, they are delivering dignity one faucet at a time, even as they innovate with creative fundraisers and partnerships. These young changemakers are rewriting what local giving can achieve.

Be inspired to light a spark in your own community.

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#YouthLeadership #CommunityPower #WePower #LocalPhilanthropy

Image: Ms. Louise Driver, Executive Director of IPASA, the Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa.

Facing a sudden cut of over R6.5 billion in US health funding, South African philanthropy rallied in an emergency IPASA dialogue to strategize, adapt, and build resilience. Leaders warned of service disruptions, especially in HIV programs, and urged sustainable local funding and deeper coordination with government. This crisis is both a challenge and a turning point to strengthen South Africa’s funding ecosystem.

Together, we can build a more self-reliant future.

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#Philanthropy #LocalSolutions

As the G20 Summit approaches, IPASA’s Social Justice Donor Group gathered to align priorities and amplify social justice in South Africa. From centering youth and women’s voices to integrating climate and economic justice, participants emphasized collaboration, shared language, and mapping support ecosystems to respond to shrinking civic space and fragile institutions. The conversation pointed to a future rooted in solidarity and sustainability.

Stand with those pushing for equity and dignity in every corner of society.

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#SocialJustice #Equity #G20 #PowerOfPartnership

At Wits Business School, a powerful gathering led by Binaifer Nowrojee, H.E. Graça Machel, Dr. Naledi Pandor, and Nicolette Naylor challenged African philanthropy to move from charity to justice, centering Ubuntu, community-led solutions, and local ownership. With Africa’s population booming, speakers called for bold, democratic, and accountable approaches to development that break from dependency and reclaim African agency.

It’s time to rewrite the script and build our future together.

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#ShiftThePower #Ubuntu #AfricanPhilanthropy

At a landmark IPASA workshop, education experts and policymakers explored how Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education (MTbBE) can transform literacy in South Africa by grounding learning in local languages and cultural belonging. Moving away from Eurocentric teaching models, this approach recognizes the power of African languages to drive confidence, comprehension, and educational equity. With pilots already underway and a phased national rollout planned, MTbBE stands as a beacon for 21st-century, African-led education reform.

Let’s champion the voices and languages that make our classrooms thrive!

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#InclusiveEducation #MotherTongueMatters #LiteracyForAll #EducationTransformation

In our inaugural year, CivSource South Africa set out to chart new ground at the intersection of philanthropy and civil society. As the first continental expansion of CivSource Africa’s broader vision, South Africa became our launchpad for building a sustainable, effective, and interconnected civil society landscape—one that boldly advances the dignity and voices of all people. With the invaluable support of our parent organization and strategic partners, we began laying the foundations of a strong South African presence. What follows in this report is a reflection of our early strides, growing alliances, and the seeds of impact we are proud to have sown in our first year.

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The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria for Human Rights with the support from the Embassy of Switzerland, will host a civil society workshop on early warning and urgent response to xenophobic violence in South Africa.

Event Details:
📅 Monday 29 April 2024 📍137 Murray Guest House, Brooklyn ⏰ 9:00 - 15:00 (SAST)

To RSVP Follow Link Here

Jacob Deng Bol Deng, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at EARTH, embodies resilience and determination. Born in war-torn South Sudan, Jacob overcame adversity to pursue education and create change. His platform, Education Needs All (ENA), provides scholarship information to vulnerable youth across Africa. Now in his third year at EARTH, Jacob's mission is to empower others and break the cycle of poverty through education.

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Course Overview: Designed to equip participants with a comprehensive grasp of the judicial enforcement of socio-economic rights in Africa, this course delves into both its potential and challenges. Over the intensive one-week duration, practitioners, policymakers, scholars, and students receive specialized training on both national and international litigation concerning socio-economic rights.

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Despite advancements, TB persists in South Africa, with 288,000 cases and 54,200 deaths in 2022. Challenges include treatment access, stigma, and patient adherence. Collaboration, education, and community support are vital in overcoming these obstacles.

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