COVID-19 and Philanthropy's Response in South Africa

In this segment, Louise Driver, Executive Coordinator, and Sarah Rennie, Chair of the Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa (IPASA) discuss how the philanthropy sector in South Africa responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are joined by Vuyiswa Sidzumo, Acting Regional Director of the Ford Foundation Office for Southern Africa who moderated the conversation.

The conversation begins with an overview of IPASA and how it supported independent funders in responding to the pandemic. They discuss the role that civil society organizations played in shaping how funders responded and the challenges both faced in operating in the rapidly changing situation. The conversation ends with reflections on the role of philanthropy support organizations and navigating uncertainty as the pandemic continues to impact communities in South Africa and beyond. This conversation took place on May 12, 2021.

The Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa (IPASA) is a locally established, voluntary association of independent philanthropists, private foundations and other organizations associated with philanthropy in South Africa. The concept of independence relates to independence from government and the corporate sector in terms of governance.

About Our Speakers

Louise Driver. Executive Coordinator, IPASA

Prior to joining IPASA, Louise was CEO of the Children’s Hospital Trust for nine years, funding child healthcare through the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. Louise has a Business Science Honors degree in Social Marketing from UCT and over 25 years of development and corporate experience. She has worked for the Catholic Welfare and Development, fundraising for their 22 development projects, and worked in the corporate sector for Old Mutual and MTN’s Corporate Social Investment projects.

Sarah Rennie, Chairperson, IPASA

Sarah is an expert in corporate social investment and private philanthropy, with a special interest in education. She is the Chair of the Independent Philanthropy Association South Africa (IPASA), Chair of the Grindrod Family Centenary Trust, non-executive director of the Standard Bank Tutuwa Community Foundation, and a trustee of the Anglo-American Namibia Foundation.

Vuyiswa Sidzumo, Acting Regional Director and Senior Program Officer, Ford Foundation Office for Southern Africa.

Vuyiswa focuses on supporting the growth of local philanthropy and supporting the institutional strengthening efforts of grantee partners. Prior to joining the Ford Foundation in October 2017, she spent 12 years at the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation as an Associate Program Officer and Program Officer before becoming the Country Director for South Africa in 2009. She is also Chair of the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group Steering Committee.