The Contributions of Non-profits to African Economies: Nurturing Gender-Inclusive Youth Entrepreneurs through Social and Financial Education Programs – A Case Study of Aflatoun International, Restless Development, Junior Achievement in Sub-Saharan Africa (Zimbabwe and Uganda)
Personal values, self-construal and donation to social justice causes in South Africa
Exploring Funding Mechanisms for Supporting Paid Internship Programs in African Non-profit Sectors – Philanthropy as an alternative funding towards dignified and fulfilling internship opportunity for African Youths
Rewriting the Rules of Giving: Case Studies of African Feminism as a New Architecture for Social Justice Philanthropy
Beyond Remittances: Diaspora giving, digital platforms and community development in Zimbabwe
Stakeholder Engagement and Social Sustainability in Construction Projects
Kutlwano Serame is a qualified Audio Engineer with over 10 years of experience in broadcasting and audio production. At CAPSI, he is part of the podcast production team, specialising in audio production since July 2022. He supports the development and delivery of engaging podcast and multimedia content that brings African philanthropy research and knowledge to wider audiences. Outside of CAPSI, Kutlwano is a Radio Commercial Audio Engineer, Technical Consultant and trainer for campus and community radio stations. His experience spans leading campus stations such as Voice of Wits and having past experience with commercial radio stations such as POWER FM 98.7. He is currently an Audio Engineer at Primedia Broadcasting, servicing all 4 radio stations. Kutlwano holds qualifications in Audio Engineering focusing on Broadcasting Technology from the Academy of Sound Engineering and Radio Station Management from Radio 101.
Jane Lewis provides communications support to CAPSI, working across the Centre’s research, convenings and flagship initiatives. Her work spans communications strategy, digital content, campaign development and stakeholder engagement, translating CAPSI’s scholarship into compelling content for practitioners, funders, academics and the wider public. Her career spans the corporate and agency worlds, working within the public, private and civil sectors, including strategic leadership in development communications in Africa. Since 2023 she has consulted to think tanks, universities and research institutions internationally. She is drawn to work at the intersection of communication, strategy and impact: translating rigorous research into narratives that reach the people who need it most.
Hulisani Budeli is a Graphic Web Content Developer at the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI), Wits Business School. With a Diploma in Computer-Based Graphic Design, Hulisani works across graphic design, branding, photography, videography, social media and digital communications. At CAPSI, Hulisani contributes to the development of creative and digital content, including promotional materials, academic publications, website content, social media campaigns, event communications and visual branding. Hulisani has a strong interest in using creative design and digital storytelling to communicate ideas effectively and create engaging visual experiences. Through this work, Hulisani supports CAPSI’s broader communications and visibility across its programmes, research and initiatives.
The need to shift from reactive responses to preventative action in addressing gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) featured prominently at the GBVF Conference (Gender-Based Violence & Femicide), held in Johannesburg on 5 August 2026, where Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) Programme Manager: Special Initiatives and Partnerships,Vuyokazi Futshane, joined national leaders to discuss how cross-sector collaboration can strengthen South Africa’s response to GBVF.
Participating in her capacity as a South African social justice activist and researcher, Futshane served as a panellist in the session “Private Sector Collaboration: From Individual Projects to National Impact,” which explored how companies, government, civil society, philanthropy and academia can better align their efforts to move beyond fragmented initiatives and build coordinated, long-term interventions. The conference itself reinforced the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration and long-term prevention strategies to address GBVF sustainably.
Drawing on her research into technology-facilitated gender-based violence, Futshane argued that institutions should embed prevention into the design of systems, policies and technologies, rather than responding only after harm has occurred.
“Fragmented interventions tend to treat GBVF as something to respond to after the fact, a policy, a helpline, a campaign. What’s missing is looking at root causes at the point of design, not just impact. My research looks at technology-facilitated GBV, and what I have found so far is how rarely anyone asks, before a product or platform launches, whether it could enable new forms of harm.”
She compared this approach to environmental regulation, where preventative assessments are standard practice.
“We do this routinely in other sectors. For example, an environmental impact assessment is required before a mine opens, precisely because we’ve learned that fixing damage after the fact is far more costly than preventing it. We need the same thinking when designing technologies, policies and systems that affect people’s lives.”
Futshane’s contribution called for pre-emptive interventions rather than reactionary responses, highlighting the importance of assessing potential risks before products, platforms and policies are introduced.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of investing in programmes that engage boys and young men early to challenge harmful gender norms, toxic masculinity and patriarchal attitudes before they become entrenched. Panellists agreed that meaningful progress requires sustained partnerships across sectors rather than isolated projects.
Among the contributors was Dr Elemrie Pereira from Memeza, who shared how the organisation’s digital reporting platform works with multiple stakeholders across sectors to strengthen responses to GBVF, reinforcing the importance of collaborative action.
The conference brought together business leaders, researchers, policymakers, philanthropy practitioners and civil society organisations to explore practical solutions for addressing one of South Africa’s most pressing social challenges. Throughout the discussions, speakers emphasised that preventing GBVF requires long-term investment, coordinated partnerships and systemic approaches that address the structural drivers of violence rather than its symptoms alone.
At CAPSI, Futshane’s participation reflects the Centre’s commitment to advancing evidence-informed dialogue, strategic partnerships and research that contributes to more just, inclusive and sustainable societies across Africa.
This book project explores how philanthropy is understood and practised within the diverse expressions of African Christianity. It examines how Christian beliefs, values, and traditions shape voluntary giving, service, and community support across Africa, drawing on theological, historical, and contemporary perspectives. The volume focuses on the role of churches, faith-based organisations, Christian foundations, and other Christian-inspired institutions in advancing education, health, social welfare, and local development. It also explores emerging forms of Christian philanthropy, including digital giving, diaspora engagement, and Pentecostal and Charismatic initiatives, while considering issues of governance, accountability, and trust in an increasingly interconnected global context. Through contributions from scholars and practitioners across Africa, the book provides conceptual insights and country-specific perspectives on the evolving relationship between African Christianity and philanthropy.
This project explores key areas of African philanthropy and social investment that align with CAPSI’s research priorities, with a particular focus on philanthropy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), marketing and communications in philanthropy, gender and feminist philanthropy, philanthropy and public policy, community philanthropy and community foundations, higher education fundraising and advancement, and climate philanthropy. Through these thematic case studies, the project seeks to generate evidence and practical insights that contribute to advancing philanthropy research, policy, and practice across Africa.