2020 has brought with it many challenges for different sectors and has seen a rise in levels of uncertainty for millions across the globe. As an institution that exists to enable the philanthropic and social investment sector, this year has been one of rapid development for us.
We hope you enjoy our reflection on recent developments and that you will continue to engage with us as we pilot some new and progressive offerings.
Meet the Advisory Board: How Theo Sowa envisions CAPSI as a facilitator of Africa’s future
There is much that we have learnt from our rich and diverse African history that we can use to strengthen our continent for the future. The importance of nurturing communities, celebrating diversity and being deliberate about documenting the richness of our stories in our own voices, enables us to position the continent to prosper with Africans who are empowered with the tools to succeed.
Theo is a respected voice in international social development, whose work has impacted the lives of women and children across Africa. In addition to serving on international organisations boards, Theo leads the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), the first and largest women’s fund in Africa, that supports women’s rights activism and organisations through access to funding, resources and networks. She is also a member of the CAPSI Advisory Board and recently shared her reflections on why it is critical that Africa invest in developing its own narrative around philanthropy and social investment. She shared with us her reflections and vision for CAPSI.
Giving, as a practice, is deeply rooted in African culture with many of us able to share examples of community care and inter–generational support on quick recollection. Africans can tell stories of how families and social groups came together in times of need with whatever resources they had available that resulted in deep and long-lasting outcomes. This nature of giving has always been done as a core value and has proved very sustainable in its application, passed on from generation to generation. However, even with this rich history, the sector of philanthropy is commonly misunderstood to be a Western practice, particularly with the rise of donor foundations.
More notably and critically, philanthropy is incorrectly perceived to be done to Africans to rather than by Africans. Theo says, “It’s really frustrating that there is an incorrect perception across the globe that says that philanthropy is done to Africans, yet our experiences and knowledge show us that Africans have been involved in philanthropy for generations upon generations. And while philanthropy can be vertical in the context of larger foundations, in much of Africa it is predominantly horizontal in its operation.’”
Some of the stories of African giving include that amazing generation of grandmothers who stepped in to care for children at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa; the diaspora Africans building communal infrastructure in their home countries; communities that create systems in response to the needs of bereaved members and their families in their time of mourning – almost always a financially and emotionally challenging period. Yet these acts of giving sadly pale when placed next to the volume of foundations’ giving, despite their deep relevance in daily lives. “Sometimes our African elders had little in the way of material wealth, yet they continually gave from the core to care for their immediate and extended families and communities. The percentage of their giving, when compared to that of some of the more high-net worth individuals, is worth far more; but they are not celebrated as philanthropists who helped change the trajectory of communities and nations,” says Theo.
This challenges us to proactively begin changing that perception through storytelling, studying more aspects of African history, and encouraging the traditions of giving in current and future generations.
Theo believes that in this context, CAPSI plays a connecting role as a centre that raises the profile of African giving in a way that is authentic, allows for development and can be celebrated. Through this, future generations of Africans will have a gold mine of knowledge to develop and nurture the practice of giving. She continues, “Through CAPSI, we as Africans have the opportunity to tell our stories around giving while studying and developing the practice in authentically African, nuanced ways.”
A major part of what is needed is a change in how society prepares itself for the continual coming of age of its different generations. The meaning of philanthropy as solidarity needs to be deeply understood and practically applied to be relearnt as an integral facet of Africa’s history. CAPSI has the resources and capability to capture the traditions of solidarity and mutual support in a way that uses academic analysis, while highlighting practical action. Theo believes that unless this is done with intention, there is a risk that Africa’s narrative will be distorted and thus make our rich yet meekly documented history, seem like a myth. With growing access to digital communication platforms, the opportunity to disseminate knowledge through creative and engaging mechanisms allows for wider adoption by younger generations.
Further to this, Theo’s wish is to see CAPSI adopt a default mechanism towards human rights where it enables equality in its acts of solidarity. Acknowledging the philanthropy of women, people living with disabilities, LGBTQ communities and other marginalised populations and non-elitist communities will allow CAPSI to be imaginative about how it supports wider issues of equality and diversity. As a progressive institution, CAPSI along with its partners and donors, can play a major role in restoring clarity on giving as a sustainable way of life in Africa, by Africans.
Meet the Advisory Board: How Dion Chang believes CAPSI can serve as an enabler of the future of Africa
Discussions about the world of the future provide us with the opportunity to have progressive conversations but require the right mix of ambition, information and strategy in order to yield meaningful outcomes. Having a conversation with a person who is invested in understanding and conveying what lies ahead, allows individuals and organisations alike to gain clarity of their vision and plans. Dion Chang is one such person.
Dion is the founder of Flux Trends, a trend analysis consulting firm that specialises in distilling data into decision-making tools for business leaders in various sectors. Dion is also a member of our Advisory Board and describes himself as a walking ideas bank and professional cage rattler. He recently shared his reflections and thoughts around how CAPSI can serve as an enabler to the fields of philanthropy and social investment.
You may be asking yourself how philanthropy and trend analysis go hand-in-hand, or how social investment and planning for the future fit in the same sentence. They do so quite fluidly. Dion believes that CAPSI’s mandate of bridging the gap in the study, research and practice of philanthropy in Africa requires us to have an understanding of the continent’s history, while remaining curious of the future that can be built. With this we can develop the necessary skills and competencies to navigate the disruption that the future possibly holds. Furthermore, by leaving the ivory towers that academic and social development institutions once thrived in, CAPSI will be in a stronger position to better achieve its goals and bring about depth of meaning in its solutions.
By being proactively conscious of the future, we are able to operate with a lens that enables us to prepare ourselves and our partners for a rapidly changing world, in a sustainable and responsible manner. The sustainability lens challenges us in the sector to change the way that we approach to access to information in our societies, our channels of giving, mechanisms of distribution, support of advocacy and other supporting pillars. Dion understands that planning for development with the future in mind may allow us to accept the narrative that philanthropy and corporate social investment need to be an internal agenda as opposed to an external community-based series of activities. He challenges that traditional community activities that are executed as a compliance requirement yet do not take into consideration well-being of employees, volunteers and other stakeholders, present more harm than the positive message they convey.
He has spent an extensive amount of time studying Generation Z (Gen Z), the newest generation of citizens born between 1995 and 2015, who are currently between the ages of 5-25 years old. Research shows that Gen Z, the most digitally engaged generation, operate with a different set of values to other generations. For example, Gen Zs believe that brands should have a strong philanthropic mandate in their operations, while most of them desire to pursue entrepreneurial careers in favour of traditional employment. “Africa is a really young continent with enormous potential. By 2030, the Gen Z of today will be the entrepreneurs and business leaders of tomorrow. It’s therefore crucial that we develop new models and reframe philanthropy to drive us into the future.”
The question then becomes how we can use the information that we have about trends at play, the possible near future and the generation that will be leading us. How does this information enable CAPSI as we prepare to expand our competency through research, course work and other interventions?
Essentially, CAPSI is now able to pursue its mandate and progress with context that sustainability as a practice needs to be built into philanthropy while engaging a generation that holds the largest median of Africa that will form part of the philanthropy and social investment sector of tomorrow. “Taking 20th-century ideas into the future is not feasible. The trajectory of philanthropy will be driven by society’s desire to bring about change, seen in community and individual giving, volunteerism and similar activities,” says Dion.
We anticipate the philanthropists and social investors of the future to lead the sector with the blinkers off. To begin enabling the sector today for tomorrow, CAPSI will continue to serve as a source of knowledge, a cultivator of partnerships, and a catalyst for innovation and community engagement. We will do this in a manner that is cognizant of what is to come, in order to prepare the sector and its participants for the world of the future.
Lloyd Derengi is a PhD student, born in Marondera, Zimbabwe. After completing his early basic education, Lloyd moved to Zambia where he worked and attained his diploma and undergraduate degree, eventually attaining his Masters in Business Administration and other certifications upon relocating to South Africa.
Q: What are you researching and what inspired you to take this path?
A: My PhD is in the field of business management and is by full research. It is cross-disciplinary research with a special focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and risk management in the retail sector, with the focus of my case study being Massmart.
I chose to take this path because I wanted to contribute to the narrative of corporate involvement in social issues. Reflecting on my experience and academic background (social sciences and commerce), l concluded that CSR is a discipline that connects these elements.
The choice of Massmart as a case study of my research is due to dominance of multinational corporates in Africa and South Africa in particular. If there was ever a time for the operations and contributions of these corporates to be scrutinised, it is now. Given the socio-economic conditions and background of South Africa, the retail sector is expected to play a vital role in changing the social landscape through CSR initiatives. In return, these community engagements serve as a risk management tool for firms.
Q: What have you learnt or seen that has been vital to your career or that has stood out most?
A: Thus far, I am realising how CSR is understood and acted upon by corporates, particularly in the retail industry within risk management and the need for supporting inclusive development through community CSR projects. l am starting to see how some companies or sectors are being duplicitous when they claim to take CSR seriously or have integrated it into their strategy. All this is reflected in how these companies are responding to the current global pandemic of COVID-19. We have observed various trends in terms of active contributions by corporates in South Africa. Corporates with strong and entrenched CSR policies seem to be leading from the front in terms of mitigating the negative impact of this global health crisis.
Q: What is the potential impact of your research in the social investment space?
A: My research joins a chorus of voices whose aim is to interpret the role of CSR on managing risks in corporate South Africa. It is hoped that the results from this study will assist companies especially in South Africa, to formulate more informed CSR policies that will impact positively on the company’s triple bottom line, as well as assist in ameliorating the socio-economic developmental challenges of the communities in which they operate. The results will provide companies with a strategy and a framework of risk management, as well as issues to consider when initiating, designing, budgeting and implementing CSR in their organisations.
Matilda Owusu-Ansah is a PhD student who is passionate about philanthropy and making a positive impact in her communities. The experience she has gained in philanthropy has allowed her to be a positive and motivating force in her projects.
Q: What are you researching and what inspired you to take this path?
My decision to pursue a doctoral in the field of philanthropy comes after several years of work in both government and non-governmental organisations. It is borne out of a deep and growing desire to challenge myself academically, to contribute to existing knowledge in the humanitarian sector through empirical research and to understand the giving behaviour of people better. It is also to explore opportunities for personal development, network, skills transfer with experts and to find ways to improve the lives of the vulnerable in society. Since 1993, I have had the privilege of making a difference in the lives of children, young people and communities by working with two international NGOs, and this has influenced my thinking and experience with philanthropy. While working with the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana and the SOS Children’s Villages International in various capacities, I have come to appreciate the need to attract local sponsors to support the work of the civil society. I am curious to understand the motivations for philanthropic giving in Africa.
Q: What have you learnt or seen that has been vital for your career or that has stood out most for you?
After two and a half decades of working in environments that were less rigorous and exact, I realised quite early that this new academic pursuit would be challenging and exciting. It would require long hours of careful and methodological work, a fair dose of frustration and confusion, and the right balance of work, school and family life. What stood out for me was the vital and supporting role of the supervisory process and how this could either enhance or impede achieving my academic goal.
The importance of establishing mutual expectations that would lead to an effective supervisory process was critical, and I have come to appreciate the essential role of the supervisor. Regular meetings to discuss my work, clarifying misunderstandings, reading drafts, being available and responsive in the most appropriate manner has facilitated my progress. Without being pampered or favoured, supervision has included the provision of relevant material, expert advice, suggestions in the topic area and both positive and corrective feedback. My exposure to other academic opportunities like conferences, workshops and seminars have provided the space to interact and exchange with other scholars.
Q: What is the potential impact of your research in the social investment space?
A study on what motivates charitable giving among Ghanaians is relevant for researchers, practitioners and policymakers in many ways. Firstly, it will provide an in-depth understanding of how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are associated with altruistic behaviours of Ghanaians. Secondly, knowledge and understanding of influencers to charitable decision making provides a model and profile of the individual Ghanaian donor that is relevant and useful to those who work in the non-profit sector. The social, political and economic environment which non-profit organisations work within, requires a deeper understanding of donor motivations to better connect and communicate with them. Most charitable organisations are experienced in attracting public and private sector funding, but do not have empirical data on individual donors. There is a need to understand personal preferences and what makes people want to donate. Understanding personal preferences will make it possible to keep existing donors and attract potential and new resources required for projects. Thirdly, a study that helps to describe and understand what influences Ghanaians to donate, can be useful in soliciting and re-channelling philanthropic activities to align with government priorities. Finally, with many existing studies and literature on philanthropy, mainly from countries in the developed economies, the uniqueness of giving in Ghana is almost non-existent in the literature. This study will contribute to providing information specific to the Ghanaian context.
The year 2020 surprised all of us. We expected to implement our programmes as had been done previously. A few weeks into the year with COVID-19 infections rapidly increasing in China, it became very clear that our lives would look different this year. By the 6th of March, when the first COVID-19 case was reported in South Africa, reality struck and we all started thinking about the implications all this would have on our organisations and our personal lives. Very soon, life somewhat halted, as restrictive measures were put in place. This forced most institutions (our Centre included) into adopting different ways of working.
At the Centre, we did not stop our work but quickly pivoted to online and virtual ways of working. We began holding meetings virtually and made sure that our core business continued. In hindsight, we should all have anticipated a moment like this, given the many advances in technology and the increased natural and man-made disasters that have confronted us in the recent past. We were bound to confront this moment at some point. COVID-19 is just a placeholder for anything that could have triggered us to rethink the world and our relationship with each other and with nature.
For the most part, many of us were caught napping. COVID-19 has forced us to adjust our lives and work modes. At the Centre, we took this crisis as an opportunity to reconfigure ourselves and ‘build back better’, in ways that will make our systems and processes more robust. The pandemic has demonstrated the centrality of communities in resolving societal challenges. It has further revealed the several inequities that exist among us. The pandemic has also given rise to several social innovations. For this reason, we have forged ahead with our research projects to collect as much data as possible across Africa. One key project in this respect is the impact of COVID-19 on corporates, philanthropies, and the non-profit sector. We are also beginning in September to roll out our short courses, most of which deal with how to lead in times of crises and uncertainty; the role of communities in development; resource mobilisation and philanthropy during crisis moments.
This newsletter captures most of what we have been able to do under lockdown measures. As we begin building back, we want to invite as many people and institutions as possible to walk with us as we look to conduct more research, offer academic programmes and bridge the gap between practice and theory. You can join us by becoming a research associate, a sessional lecturer for our short courses, a guest speaker or by taking part in some of our ongoing webinars, among others. I invite you to reach out and engage with us, should you wish to participate.
We look forward to the journey of “the new normal”.
We want to change the future for young Africans. Our vision is that 100% of Girls & Young Women in sub-Saharan Africa will have access to engaging sexual health education by 2025.
The youth population (15-24) of the region will more than double reaching nearly 380 million by 2050
We know that Africa suffers with 69 million cases of STIs each year
We know that HIV prevalence >15% (WHO) is dominated by sub-Saharan Africa
We know that 75% of abortions in the region are deemed unsafe
How can the region’s youth be expected to deliver their full potential and achieve economic prosperity against such a backdrop of unprecedented sexual health challenges?
There is a pressing need for a new generation of innovation and ideation to deliver a combination of HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services for people of higher risk to HIV, STIs and unintended pregnancies. It’s why we have partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand Business School (Wits) for our Aspire, Higher project – judging for which takes place on 16 July 2020.
About
We’ve already commenced our Aspire, Higher programme in South Africa with Wits and are identifying partners in Nigeria for a 2021 roll out there. The Wits MBA students’ entries will be judged on 16 July and this document provides more details on the virtual event.
The Challenge for students at Wits Business School: to develop innovative, game-changing ideas to improve women and girls’ sexual health education and enhance female economic empowerment.
All entries will be shortlisted by RB/Wits between now and the end of June. The top 5 entries will present their ideas virtually on 16 July and tell the judges how their concepts meet our challenge. The winners will win a share of the available investment provided.
The top 3 projects selected will then go into Johannesburg field trials – commencing August 2020 onwards. These trials are the opportunity to further develop and scale the winning ideas, and ultimately change lives.
Online Showcase
The 16 July is not just the point at which the pilot projects are chosen, but it’s also an opportunity to showcase our collective ‘Purpose’ credentials and commitment to tackling this critical sexual health challenge.
The judging panel will hear presentations from each of the 5 shortlisted candidates and have an opportunity to ask any further questions to better understand their solutions to change the future for young Africans. This will take place through an online call and will be moderated virtually.
The panel will then select the 3 most innovative entries, which will be announced at the end of the virtual showcase.
Judging Panel
Tlaleng Mofokeng
Nalane
Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng is a Medical Doctor and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights consultant. She is currently Lead Consultant at Nalane. Her expertise includes advocacy training, clinical care, public health policy and content production for public health communication.
She is published by The Guardian, Sunday Times, Daily Maverick, Mail and Guardian and presents on Al Jazeera’s “The Cure” medical series and is currently host and associate producer of “Sex Talk with Dr T” a sexual health tv show aired on DSTV. She was a recipient of the 120 under 40 award that recognizes a new generation leaders in Family Planning by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2016.
Clifford Samuel
Gilead
Clifford Samuel is Gilead’s Senior Vice President of Access Operations and Emerging Markets, with responsibility for more than 130 countries around the world. He joined Gilead Sciences in 1996 as a member of the company’s commercial organization, newly established at the time, to support the introduction of Gilead’s first commercial product.
Clifford now oversees the ongoing development and implementation of innovative manufacturing, distribution and business models to make the company’s HIV, viral hepatitis and fungal medicines available at affordable prices in resource-limited and evolving economies.
Aeneas Chuma
UNAIDS
Aeneas Chuma is the Regional Director for East and Southern Africa for UNAIDS. Chuma is a very senior leader having served as Resident coordinator and UN SG spécial representative as well as Africa head for ILO and brings huge understanding of the global development response and of the continent.
Judy Dlamini
University of the Witwatersrand
Dr Judy Dlamini is Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand and the founding chairman of Mbekani Group. She is a medical doctor by training is a leading business woman, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. She holds an MBChB from the University of Natal, a Doctorate in Business Leadership from UNISA, an MBA from Wits University and an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate from Stanford University.
Saidy Brown
Psychology Student, North-West University
Saidy Brown works with various NGOs, such as Y+ South Africa, Network for Young People Living with HIV in South Africa. She’s a psychology student at the North-West University (NWU) and part of the NWU students advocating leadership and transformation.
Saidy was born with HIV and found out her status aged 14.
From the age of 18 she started publicly disclosing her story. Saidy has used her status to educate other people about HIV and has a YouTube channel to enlighten people about HIV.
Ben Wilson
RB
Ben Wilson began his role as Global Category Director for Sexual Wellbeing in March 2018, after having held the position of Marketing Director at RB China. During his previous role, starting in 2010, he led the innovative marketing campaigns of Durex China, as well as Veet and Dettol. Ben is particularly focused on social media and digital outreach, and leading the way in building brand advocacy.
Previously, Ben Wilson was Marketing Manager at RB in the UK. Prior to RB, Ben has 10 years of experience working in J&J in various marketing roles on skincare brands including Clean & Clear, Neutrogena, and RoC as well as healthcare brands including Carefree and KY.
Bheki Moyo
University of the Witwatersrand
Professor Bheki is a writer, author, researcher and thought-leader on African resources, democracy and governance, Bheki is leading our Aspire, Higher project to improve the sexual health and economic empowerment of South Africa’s women and young girls. Bheki is the Director African Centre for Philanthropy and Social Investment at the University of the Witwatersrand Business School.
Quick Links
Wits Business School (WBS): Competition exclusively open to WBS students and Wits University Postgraduates.
Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB), a consumer health company and the makers of Durex condoms: Project partner and competition funder.
Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI), a Centre for excellence at WBS: Project facilitator.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), an advocate for global action on HIV/AIDS: Key project advice/advocacy partner.
This century belongs to the African philanthropists, whose capital, influence, local knowledge, and moral authority have the power to address pressing challenges in the continent. Philanthropy, in all of its various forms, engages stakeholders from the private, public, non-profit, and religious sectors. It nimbly cuts across geographies, social classes, and demographic groups in a way that governments and businesses often cannot. The impetus for giving is clear: donors identify rampant need in their communities and, for various religious, social, moral, and cultural reasons, choose to give freely of their resources.
But what is the impact of their giving? How can they give effectively and in innovative ways? What role does academia play in facilitating effective giving? Finally, what are the strategies that need to be crafted to build an infrastructure for transformative change in Africa through philanthropy? All of this was discussed during the first ever philanthropy conference in Africa.
The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) was launched in June 2018 when Dr Bheki Moyo took over the directorship of the Chair in African Philanthropy at WBS. The Chair was the result of a collaboration between the Southern Africa Trust and Wits University, as well as with a number of other organisations and foundations on the continent, including the African Philanthropy Network (APN) and TrustAfrica.
CAPSI has had a busy and exciting time since its launch nearly two years ago, impacting communities as well as individuals involved in philanthropy in Africa, be it as policy makers, academics, practitioners or students.
We invite you to dip into our newsletter and share in our ground-breaking journey thus far.
