2021 has been the year that pushed many of us to learn new ways to communicate with our audiences. This did not, however, hinder the efforts of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI). As the Centre, we adapted to the ever-changing environment. We were able to accomplish a lot and further grow the understanding of philanthropy and social investment in Africa.
Part of navigating our new normal meant that we had to relook how to host events and share our messaging. We steered towards the virtual world. Some of the events we successfully hosted and took part in were led under our Academic and Programme units; you can access recordings of these on our YouTube channel.
We had our various projects and launches covered by media outlets, below is some of the exposure we received:
As we reflect on the year 2021, indeed, there have been many great challenges but equally, we have had some opportunities and monumental breakthroughs, particularly in science. This is reflected in many of our initiatives and research works that we embarked on as CAPSI. In line with the Centre’s mandate, a number of research studies were commissioned by the Centre across the African continent focusing on various research themes These studies have produced a number of research outputs in various publication formats.
We would also like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to all our Research Associates who have actively carried forward the Centre’s mission to bridge the gap in the study, research and practice of philanthropy and social investment in Africa. As part of several studies commissioned by the Centre, we started a section called the Research Article Series which includes articles published independently by CAPSI as part of the efforts to increase our scholarly research outputs. One of the recently published articles was written by our Associate Researcher Dr Asabea Shirley Ahwireng-Obeng and Wits Business School’s Professor Emeritus- Frederick Ahwireng-Obeng. This paper examines the simultaneous impact of private philanthropic cross-border funding from international foundations on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in Africa.
The inaugural issue of the International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment journal received positive feedback from scholars and practitioners in the field. To deepen the learning from the articles in the journal, we hosted a series of webinars where authors delved deeper into their findings and recommendations. The journal is working on two special issues exploring High Net-Worth Individuals and Philanthropic foundations. These will be published in the first quarter of 2022. It is important to note that we have adopted a continuous publishing model – this means that as soon as an article is prepared it is released online, creating a rapid flow of topical, quality articles.
In response to perceived challenges faced by researchers looking to publish their research in academic journals, we started an initiative to assist and facilitate young researchers through a developmental approach to understand various requirements for academic publication. We hosted the first virtual workshop in June 2021 that was well received by our international community. In 2022, we will host three workshops giving expert advice on a broad range of publishing topics.
We would like to extend an invitation to all players in the sector to join us in partnership in the pursuit of our mission to bridge the gap in the study, research and practice of philanthropy and social investment in Africa.
Looking ahead…
Looking back and forward as a member of the international editorial board and reviewer during the Journal’s first year, is both challenging and encouraging. Challenges have been putting together the systems needed to ensure professional standards are the norm as well as respecting authors’ expectations of timely and fair treatment. Encouraging is progress in establishing the Journal as a resource to advance philanthropy and social investment which emanates from a less than usual home for academic publications in this field. Also encouraging is the way in which the Journal is positively interfacing with the research and teaching programmes of the Centre for African Philanthropy and Social Investment, particularly for the new generation of scholars as well as practitioners. For the latter, Field Notes are an opportunity to share experiences, which add practical knowledge to the more empirical academic work. While we can say ‘so far so good’, there is a long road ahead to become the Journal of choice for those dedicated to philanthropy and social investment anywhere in the world.
Professor Alan Fowler
We would like to express our appreciation to our funders, researchers, reviewers and last but not least our audience and partners for their continued support.
Creating social impact in the work that I do gives me purpose. It is for this reason that I decided to enrol in the Postgraduate Diploma in the field of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilisation – I wanted to know more, to do more. The Landscaping African Philanthropy module was the best introduction to the learning journey ahead, in that it brought the richness of African culture and history to life through storytelling. I was able to work through the practical modules with a better understanding and deeper foundation.
This course to date has enabled me to learn and rethink, measure and draw tactics, and shift the scales of thought in a really challenging way. I look forward to the next six months and am really proud to be part of the first cohort of this flagship qualification at CAPSI and Wits Business School.
I have become an ardent brand ambassador for CAPSI and the work that they do, the networks that they create, the knowledge that is shared and the people that they bring together.
Diroshni Govender is a student on the Postgraduate Diploma Management in the field of African Philanthropy and Resource Mobilization.
The Kisima African Giving Platform was launched on the 29th of September 2021 as the platform to showcase African Philanthropy, to promote good giving stories from across Africa. The platform seeks to demonstrate that Africans in their different ways always give towards their community for public good. The COVID-19 pandemic rendered many jobless and even more without a source of income. In most communities, those who were seen to be in need were taken in by other community members and assisted. This is not by community members who are necessarily well-off but rather community members that saw and responded to a need.
The Kisima platform is only in its third month, yet we have already been exposed to a few countries that have seen community philanthropy growth. As the COVID pandemic continues to ravage the continent and the world, the growth and development of philanthropy in Africa is rising too. It has always been there, but now we see it even better. As our Patron, Graça Machel so aptly put it, if every African could give $1, Africa would be able to take care of her own. This is the premise on which Kisima is based. Showcasing those who do help and fundraising for those in need.
The Kisima site is live and showcasing stories from different parts of Africa such as Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa and Uganda. The aim for the next year is to add at least 15 more countries to our site while we fundraise for those initiatives in need.
By Keratiloe Mogotsi (Lecturer in African Philanthropy)
With seven masterclasses, three certificate programmes, a postgraduate diploma already underway and a Masters in Management programme on the horizon, African philanthropy has taken the centre stage as a fully-fledged academic offering at Wits Business School, targeting philanthropy practitioners and interested parties far and wide. The postgraduate diploma in management, specializing in the field of philanthropy and resource mobilization, was our new offering in 2021, in partnership with Inyathelo. The Postgraduate Diploma in Management is designed for students who are seeking specialization in fundraising, advancement and partnership building. This qualification aims at improving the skills of professionals and also sharpening the analytical and critical thinking skills of those whose career trajectory is towards academia and research.
We have also offered custom programmes tailor-made to suit our clients’ needs, such as civil society organisations in Southern Africa through the Southern Africa Trust and female artists in Southern Africa through the Women in Music Business (WOMB). We continue to enter into such bespoke programmes to ensure our clients address specific internal needs in the field of philanthropy and social investment.
To support the academic learning objective, we hosted information sessions that provided prospective students with the information they needed in order to select their programme of choice and successfully register for these. The following are links to the full information:
Look out for the new short courses, the Postgraduate Diploma and the Masters programme, all happening in 2022.
Applications for the Master of Management in African Philanthropy open on 1 January 2022.Applications for the Postgraduate Diploma in the field of Philanthropy and Resour Mobilisation open on 1 January 2022.
The year 2021, like the previous one, was challenging for everyone. CAPSI was not spared but we continued to carry out activities as they were outlined in the Centre’s Business Plan and Operations Plan. As with most donor-funded entities, both the business plan and operations plan are broken down into various donor proposals, research projects and academic programmes, among others. Most of these were executed successfully this year. However, navigating a pandemic over the last two years has not been easy.
For the first time, the Centre developed a three-year strategy that will guide everyone involved efficiently and in an effective manner, with a better understanding of where the Centre is headed in the coming years. The strategy’s strength is that it was developed by CAPSI team members and partners. This has been translated into an operations plan.
The operations pillar of the strategy is also based on the Centre’s desire to expand. We are increasing resources, upskilling, and consistently aligning staff competencies with the needs of the Centre and global trends.
For the next three years, CAPSI will focus on the following two strategy pillars:
The first is the operations pillar, which is essential for running the Centre more efficiently, effectively, and creatively. The operations pillar makes use of a variety of technological tools, that include a knowledge hub and a smartboard. Both platforms are critical for the Centre’s tracking of execution of its activities and data storage.
The second pillar is programmes. This pillar focuses on a variety of areas such as academic courses, research, training, outreach and publications. CAPSI is approaching its fifth year in operation – we have thus collaborated with CLEAR to assess our impact so far and put in place a monitoring and measurement tool to assist us in remaining relevant, credible, and up to date.
Events hosted in 2021
As the world changes, so have people’s habits. Planning and executing events in the ‘new normal’ world order has proven to be extremely difficult, putting our patience and resilience to the test with each event. Nonetheless, CAPSI was able to host a number of successful in-person, virtual, and hybrid events in 2021.
The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment is an incredible resource for Wits Business School, the broader Wits community and our society at large. The Wits Development and Fundraising Office has been very fortunate to be able to work closely with CAPSI since the Centre’s inception. Of late CAPSI has provided invaluable advice and assistance as Wits escalates the rollout of our ambitious Wits Centenary Campaign plans and interactions with a wide range of potential donors and sponsors. Underpinning these activities is the recognition that our Centenary is a unique opportunity for our global alumni community to celebrate, and reflect on, the impact that Wits has had on their lives.
Dr Bhekinkosi Moyo is an inspiration to all. It is through Maurice and Bheki’s initiatives and drive that the Business School has been able to launch their own fundraising campaign in parallel to the University’s overall Centenary campaign. This is the first time that the Business School has embarked on such an ambitious, and critically important, venture.
Looking into the future, I look forward to continuing work with Bheki and his team as we all endeavour to grow external investment and support for the critical work Wits does to develop the future generations of leaders that make such a significant impact in our country and continent.
Peter Bezuidenhoudt is the Director for Development and Fundraising at Wits University.
Pursuing this programme offered by CAPSI and Wits Business School was the most fulfilling decision I’ve ever taken for my personal and professional development. When I enrolled, my knowledge of African philanthropy was limited, even though I have personally experienced immense philanthropic support through my educational career (I was a scholarship recipient from Grade 8 until I completed my graduate studies).
The modules I’ve completed thus far have broadened my expertise and allowed me to integrate my personal insights into innovative ideas. Studying while running my own business has made it possible to immediately apply my academic knowledge into practical concepts for implementation. For example, in understanding resource mobilisation, my business was able to partner with the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business to co-create and co-execute a social impact project empowering over 150 young people in the townships of Cape Town, with the support of ENSafrica. Without my enrolment, I would have had significant limitations in implementing my philanthropic ideas.
Sandile Tshabalala is a student on the Postgraduate Diploma in Management in the field of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilization.
I am extremely proud of CAPSI and the work they do, which is very much in line with the Wits Business School mission – to be a force for positive change on our continent. I have enjoyed participating in their international conferences and other projects, and it has been wonderful to witness the sheer length and breadth of the CAPSI footprint in terms of research, associations and partnerships in Africa and the rest of the world.
I am extremely proud of CAPSI and the work they do, which is very much in line with the Wits Business School mission – to be a force for positive change on our continent. I have enjoyed participating in their international conferences and other projects, and it has been wonderful to witness the sheer length and breadth of the CAPSI footprint in terms of research, associations and partnerships in Africa and the rest of the world.
The concept of philanthropy in Africa goes far, far beyond the traditional concept of foreign aid in times of disaster. CAPSI is drawing attention to the incredible work done by communities ‘on the ground’, borne out of the concept of Ubuntu and in the spirit of giving, the African way. They are ensuring that our amazing African stories are being told, while also highlighting the important role of Africa-based High Net Worth Individuals in transforming our continent.
I appreciate CAPSI’s high energy, passion and culture of excellence. The team shows incredible creativity and innovation, and the leadership talent is unparalleled! I am always energised after engaging with CAPSI.
I wish Prof Bheki Moyo and his team well over the festive season. Congratulations on a full and impactful year, and may you all return refreshed and ready to take on the challenges of 2022.
Prof Maurice Radebe is the Head of School of Wits Business School.
The programme has proven to be a most intense, insightful and exciting programme, well put-together and covering the most pertinent issues in philanthropy. It has far surpassed my expectations and I am honored to be among the inaugural students laying a solid academic path and foundation for those who will follow.
The programme comes at a time when the contribution of philanthropy in social development is in the spotlight. Amid a health crisis, which has political, economic and human rights implications, the role of philanthropy as an agent for change cannot be overemphasized. The context we find ourselves in, could very well herald a new era for the way we practice philanthropy in Africa in particular. The course is well-positioned to lay a strong, theoretical foundation that draws on real contexts on the ground.
To the brains that conceptualized the programme and the lecturers that delivered the modules and articulated complex, and sometimes controversial topics with expertise and passion, thank you for growing our understanding of the field of philanthropy. To my fellow students, your enquiring minds and robustness make it a pleasure to learn and share with you.
Ruth Rakosa is a student on the Postgraduate Diploma in Management in the field of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilization.
It was an honour to have been included in the first cohort of instructors in CAPSI’s Postgraduate programme. With global attention shifting towards ensuring environmental, social and governance impact in a time unprecedented, being able to teach a course which provided students foundational concepts around performance measurement, monitoring and evaluation was ground-breaking. It is my hope that students will use the knowledge across sectors as they apply their learnings.
One of my most valuable experiences on this course was having the privilege of engaging with individuals across varying contexts and sectors, which provided me with new ways of looking at the subject of M&E, particularly from the angle of African philanthropy.
With global attention across sectors shifting towards ensuring environmental, social and governance impact in a time of unprecedented, intersecting crises affecting people and the planet, I encourage anyone looking to develop in the field of philanthropy to consider this course which has put CAPSI at the forefront of remaining responsive to the demands that are emerging in theory and praxis.
It was a pleasure being part of the CAPSI team who always displays exceptional professionalism and commitment to excellence. These are some of the key ingredients that make the teaching and learning experience an absolute pleasure.
Candice Morkel is the executive director of CLEAR and a Lecturer for the Post Graduate Diploma in the field of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilisation.
This postgraduate programme is both timely and relevant, enabling growth to the required capacity and creating further awareness on philanthropy and its development on the African continent. The modules are pertinent, focusing on critical areas in advancement practices and contributing immensely to knowledge on practical approaches to resource mobilisation. It is inspiring, it promotes analytical and critical thinking and the practical approach in the teaching methodology ensures that one remains engaged and continuously interrogates issues related to the subject matter.
In my role as Deputy Director for Resource Mobilisation at the University of Limpopo, the impact of the course on my day-to-day operations is clearly visible, and has made a significant impact on refining strategy and alignment of thinking, to ensure that we increase and sustain our third stream sources. This course can add significant value to the skills and competencies of any advancement professional, and I can highly recommend the course to any prospective students that want to enhance their skills and knowledge base in the sector.
David Marupen is a student on the Postgraduate Diploma in Management in African Philanthropy and Resource Mobilisation.
