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Understanding the Operations of Philanthropic Organizations in Africa: Case of Three Selected Countries (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia)

Philanthropy is the act of giving performed by human beings for human welfare purposes. Despite having the same goal orientation, various approaches and definition has been used in different countries in the bit to provide philanthropic efforts. This research seeks to explore the various forms of philanthropic work in selected Southern African states. The research dwelt on the operations of all philanthropic organisations and philanthropic giving with a view to highlight their scope of operations, decision making criterion, budget sizes, registration and regulations, and their spending and donor trends among other variables of interest. In addition, the research characterized the philanthropy and charity landscape of Southern Africa, including the region’s history of charitable giving, the nature of modern charitable institutions, and key sources of funding for charitable activities. Primary data for the research was collected using questionnaires from identified and targeted local philanthropic organizations in the selected countries. The findings indicated that in all the countries under study foundations are only allowed to operate after full registration in the country of operation. The majority of foundations in these countries are still very small and generate small revenues. The study contributed to understanding of the philanthropic work in the different countries researched, the legal framework in these countries and how philanthropy is regularised and classified.

High-Net-Worth Individuals in Six Selected African Countries (Liberia, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi and Namibia)

The scope and depth of current knowledge about philanthropy in Africa generally and high net-worth individuals (HNWIs) particularly, falls far short of the rapid increases in the density and expansion of HNWIs on the continent. Yet, rich insight about the phenomenon facilitates utilization of the resources they generate for human and economic advancement. This exploratory study of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi and Namibia generates a contemporary data-base by employing a combination of internet-sourced secondary data, questionnaires and telephonic interviews and finds most HNWIs to be former leading politicians rather than professional business people.

Mapping African Philanthropic Landscape: A Review of HNWI (High Net Worth Individuals) Intervention in Three French-Speaking Countries: Mali, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire

Philanthropy has played an important role not only in alleviating human suffering but also in socio-economic development, in the evolution of science, in the development of culture and the arts, and so on. If the practice of philanthropy is generalised, its expressions, however, vary considerably and its forms can differ from one society to another. As a phenomenon of society, the modes of expression and organisation of philanthropy are profoundly marked by the cultures of the societies in which they unfold. This research report focuses on philanthropy by high net worth individuals (HNWIs). As an attempt of the institutionalisation of philanthropic activities, HNWIs’ interventions and foundations’ work constitute one of the best entry points for the explanation of the dynamics of philanthropy in French-speaking countries, namely Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and Mali. The lack of institutionalization and the cult of secrecy are among the main features of philanthropy by HNWIs in French-speaking countries. This report assesses the HNWIs’ sources of income, their giving strategies, as well as the sectors targeted by their philanthropic actions.

Noxolo Hlongwane

Noxolo is the Head of the Philanthropy Office at Nedbank Private Wealth, where she is responsible for developing the philanthropy offering and strategy. The philanthropy office provides a range of specialist advice and services to individuals, families, private and corporate foundations, as well as non-profit organisations. Noxolo is passionate about sustainable economic and social development, and the strategic role that private philanthropy can play. She has over a decade of experience in the financial services sector, and is an MBA graduate from Henley Business School. She also holds a post-graduate degree in Economic Policy and Development.

Niamani Mutima

Niamani has respected reputation for her skill in connecting people and ideas. She was Executive Director of African Grantmakers Affinity Group (AGAG), and prior to that worked with the Africa-American Institute (AAI). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Princeton University and a Master’s degree in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. A thought leader, she has a diverse international network of like-minded creative and visionary colleagues in the arts and philanthropy, with a focus on the African diaspora community. She holds a Bachelor degree in Anthropology from Princeton University and a Master’s degree in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. A thought leader, she has a diverse international network of like-minded creative and visionary colleagues in the arts and philanthropy, with a focus on Africa diaspora community.

Cathy Duff

Cathy is a Director at Trialogue, one of the few consultancies in South Africa that focuses exclusively on corporate responsibility issues. She has subsequently overseen research on Corporate Social Investment in South Africa and worked with many large corporates on their CSI strategies, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Prior to this, Cathy worked as Research and Development Manager for Tshikululu Social Investments and prior to that she managed a team of research analysts at New Philanthropy Capital in the UK. She is a Board member of the Hinkwenu Community Trust. Cathy has a Business Science degree from the University of Cape Town, a Master of Philosophy in Management from Cambridge University and an MBA from INSEAD.

Community Philanthropy in Malawi

Community Philanthropy has been in existence for ages. Different contexts have practiced the idea differently and produced varied results due to varied factors such as culture, politics and religious beliefs. Malawi is no exception. Like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, community philanthropy in Malawi is equally historical and is a significant national practice which is practiced across the country by all tribes as a way of supporting local social development initiatives. Using social movement and philanthropic collaboration theories to inform the design and methodology, the study utilized 300 participants in nine districts in Malawi. Of the sample, 160 were key informants. There were 117 participants engaged in focus group interviews while 23 shared their life stories. A desk review was conducted to enrich other forms of data. The findings indicate that community philanthropy is a thriving form of community giving although the naming varies with place and context. Strong evidence has emerged that women give more than men. Religious and cultural beliefs drive the desire to give and, this is largely based on humanism based on the ‘ubunthu’ philosophy. However, challenges abound. Lack of government support to local initiatives was cited as major. The study recommends an amplification of the idea – renewed in the context of the current shift in culture and socio-political landscape.

Kathleen McCarthy

Kathleen is a Professor of History and Director of Philanthropy and Civil Society at The Graduate Center and previously held a Visiting Research Fellowship at the Rockefeller Foundation while serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Metropolitan Life Foundation. She is the author of several award-winning books, and has edited volumes and articles on local, national, and international philanthropy, as well as lecturing on these topics worldwide. Professor McCarthy has previously been President of the Association for Researchon Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA); a board member of Independent Sector, and the advisory boards of the National Center on Non-profit Law at New York University and the Rockefeller Archive Center; Treasurer and board member of the International Society for Third-Sector Research and the Editorial Board of VOLUNTAS. She was also a member of the informal planning group of, and delegate to, the first White House Conference on Philanthropy.

Akwasi Aidoo

Akwasi is a Senior Fellow at Humanity United and was the founding Executive Director of Trust Africa. Over the last four decades, Akwasi’s career has centered on human rights and philanthropy in Africa. His previous roles include Head of the Health and Equity programme of the Canadian International Development Research Centre in West and Central Africa, Head of the Ford Foundation in Senegal and Nigeria, and Director of the Ford Foundation’s Special Initiative for Africa. Akwasi was educated in Ghana and the United States and received a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Connecticut. He has taught at universities in Ghana, Tanzania, and the United States. He sits on the boards of several non-profit organisations which include Resource Alliance, Fund for Global Human Rights, Global Greengrants Fund, Open Society Institute for West Africa, and International Beliefs and Values Institute.

Imraan Valodia

Imraan is a Professor of Economics, Pro Vice-Chancellor: Climate, Sustainability and Inequality, and Director of the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS) at the University of the Witwatersrand. He hasled the initiative to establish the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies – a multi-disciplinary, cross-country initiative to promote research and policy change to promote greater equality in the global South. He is recognised for his research expertise in economic development. Imraan is a member of the Competition Tribunal in South Africa, a commissioner of the National Minimum Wage Commission, and a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa Standing Committee on Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality. He has been appointed to various South African government panels in advisory roles, with the most recent being appointed to the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, by President Cyril Ramaphosa. His research interests include inequality, climate justice, competition policy, employment, the informal economy, gender and economic policy, and industrial development.

Ingrid Srinath

Ingrid has served as the founding Director of the Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy at Ashoka University, the first academic centre in South Asia to focus on these themes. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata, Ingrid has held executive positions at Child Rights and You, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, CHILDLINE India Foundation, and Hivos India. She has served on the advisory boards of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Development Cooperation Forum, the World Economic Forum, the Young Lives project at Oxford University, Alliance magazine, Hasirudala, Danamojo and the Prajnya Trust and on the boards of WINGS, the INGO Accountability Charter, The Rules, Public Interest Registry and Majlis Law. A passionate advocate for human rights, social justice and civil society, she received the Distinguished Award Alumna for services to business and society from her alma mater, IIM Calcutta.

Sarah Mukasa

Sarah is a Pan Africa feminist with over fifteen years of experience in
leadership and management at senior levels in the not-for-profit sector
in Africa and Europe, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and
networks. She was the Director of Programmes at the African Women’s
Development Fund (AWDF) where she oversaw and operationalised the growth
of the organisation to become one of the largest women’s funds. Sarag
has written extensively on human rights, women’s rights, social justice
and development, and has provided consultancy services to a number of
agencies such as the Ford Foundation, DANIDA, Concern Worldwide, Action
Aid International and the Judicial Services Commission of Uganda. Sarah
holds a BA in Business and Management from the University of East London
and an MSc in NGO Management from the London School of Economics and
Political Science.