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Wits researcher receives Best Poster Award at international philanthropy conference
A Wits Business School researcher received international recognition after winning the Best Poster Award at the International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR) 2026 Conference, held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 13–16 July 2026.
Thandi Makhubela, Programme Manager: Adoye at the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI), and a researcher focusing on African women’s community philanthropy, received the award in recognition of the quality of her poster presentation. The award celebrates excellence in research communication and recognises outstanding scholarly contributions from presenters across the globe.
The conference brought together academics, researchers, practitioners and philanthropy leaders to examine emerging issues affecting philanthropy, civil society and the third sector, while fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
CAPSI also played a leading role in the conference programme. Professor Bhekinkosi Moyo, Director of CAPSI, moderated the semi-plenary session, Tomorrow’s Philanthropy, which explored how philanthropic practice can better inform research and future decision-making.
Opening the discussion, Moyo encouraged participants to translate lessons emerging from practice into meaningful research questions that can shape the sector’s future.
“Research is essential if philanthropy is to anticipate change rather than simply respond to it,” he said.
Reflecting on his 26 years as an ISTR member, Moyo also highlighted the Society’s enduring role in developing generations of scholars.
“Many of the colleagues I first met at ISTR attended as students with their professors. Today, many of them return with their own students. That continuity reflects the strength of ISTR as a global scholarly community.”
Throughout the conference, CAPSI researchers shared their work, contributing African perspectives to international discussions on philanthropy, social investment and civil society.
Makhubela’s award was a highlight of the conference and reflected the growing international recognition of research emerging from CAPSI and Wits Business School.
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