The following are highlights from the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group (AGAG) convening. South Africa was a fitting venue for our closing event and tribute to our emergence over two decades ago from the Southern Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group. During 2024, we are working on the AGAG Legacy Project that will document our history and curate resources for grantmaking practitioners supporting African communities. Read more about our Final Chapter HERE

The theme for the October meeting was "Footprints of Our Legacy” and the conversations were reflective of AGAG’s contribution and the contributions of all who have been part of the network over the years.The intimate atmosphere and rich conversations among peers created the space that has come to characterize AGAG’s gatherings. It was a bittersweet, but memorable occasion enjoyed by all. During the three-day event the participants engaged in thoughtful and thought-provoking conversations. Learn more about the agenda, sessions, and speakers.

Welcome

Yvonne Moore opened the convening and welcomed the participants on behalf of the AGAG Steering Committee. Mmabatho Maboya gave a warm welcome to South Africa and on behalf of the Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa (IPASA). Niamani Mutima gave an overview of the agenda, topics, and theme.

Ms. Moore is the founder and Managing Partner of Moore Philanthopy and President of its partner organization, Moore Impact. She is also a member of the AGAG Steering Committee.
Ms. Maboya is CEO of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation and Chairperson of Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa. Ms. Mutima is Executive Director of the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group.

Featured Speaker Sibongile Mkhabela

Noted activist and leader Sibongile Mkhabela was the featured speaker. In her conversation with Niamani Mutima she reflected on her life as an activist, her life-long work in support of children, and the people who have influenced her. She shared photographs of her family and sobering images from the Soweto protests in 1976 that shaped her life as an activist from an early age.

Ms. Mkhabela is CEO of the Barloworld Empowment Foundation. Formerly, she was the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and spearheaded the campaign to build the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. Ms.Mutima has served as the Executive Director of the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group since 2001.

Philanthropy Landscapes

Sarah Rennie moderated the discussion on “Responding to Changes in the Philanthropy Landscapes” with Vuyiswa Sidzumo and Mmabatho Maboya. They discussed changes in the philanthropy sectors in South Africa and the United States and how these changes have shaped the role of funder networks including the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group (AGAG) and the Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa (IPASA).

Ms. Rennie is the Chair of the Grindrod Family Centenary Trust. Ms. Sidzumo is Regional Director of the Ford Foundation Office for Southern Africa and serves as Chair of the AGAG Steering Committee. Ms. Maboya is CEO of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation and serves as Chairperson of IPASA.

Community Philanthropy

Olwethu Sizani moderated the discussion with Jeremy Maarman and Mamotshidisi Mohapi during the session on “Finding the Right Fit: Defining and Shaping Community Philanthropy.” They shared their approaches and perspectives in their respective roles to supporting community organizations and working with different groups within communities to develop and leverage resources.

Ms.Sizani is Program Associate for the Ford Foundation Office of Southern Africa. Mr. Maarman is Director of the Initiative for Community Advancement in Piketberg, South Africa. Ms Mohapi is Program Officer for the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation South Africa office.

Activism and Legacies

Jonathan Gunthorp facilitated the “Intergenerational Dialogue on Activism and Legacies” with activists Gugulethu Ndebele, Teboho Mohloai, and Poloko Mosesi. They discussed their different and shared approaches and perspectives on organizing and advocating for change and accountability within communities. They also highlighted the ongoing challenges facing civil society organizations and called for philanthropic organizations to gain a better understanding of the context in which organizations are operating and the role that activists play.

Mr. Gunthorp is Executive Director of SRHR Africa Trust, Ms Mohloai is an Activist and Regional Program Officer for SRHR Africa Trust, Ms. Ndebele is Executive Director of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, and Ms. Mosesi is the Growth and Relations Officer of Calling Education NPC.

Social Movements

Briggs Bomba guided the discussions with Thapelo Mohapi and Halima Mahomed during the session on “Philanthropy and Social Movements in Africa: Reimagining Solidarity.” They highlighted the important role that movements have historically played in addressing social issues and gave current examples of movements that are advocating for the homelessness and immigrant rights. They underscored the need for funders to be more active and strategic in supporting movements.

Mr. Bomba is Program Director for TrustAfrica. Mr. Mohapi is the General Secretary for the Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement South Africa. Ms. Mahomed is Senior Fellow on African Philanthropy for TrustAfrica.

Just Transitions

Ellen Dorsey, Makoma Lekalakala, and Bobby Peek discussed climate change and the call for a new energy economy during the session, “From Fossil Fuels to a New Energy Economy: Global Call for a Just Transition.” They cited longstanding efforts to combat the harmful impact of industry practices including the location of industrial sites near poor communities and the need for more philanthropic resources to address these issues.

Ms. Dorsey is the Executive Director of the Wallace Global Fund. Ms. Lekalakala is an Activist and Director of Earthlife Africa JHB. Mr. Peek is Director of GroundWork Trust.

Ice Breaker: Getting to Know Each Other

Nyeleti Honwana lead the group in an ice breaker session. Each person received an AGAG Legacy Journal to record their reflections on the footprints of their personal and professional legacies. Many shared their reflections with the group. In keeping with the theme of the convening, each person was encouraged to continue reflecting on their contributions and recording them in their Legacy Journals.

Ms. Honwana is Program Officer of the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation and a member of the AGAG Steering Committee.

Special Tribute to Niamani Mutima,
AGAG Executive Director

The Other Foundation and the Ford Foundation Office for Southern Africa co-hosted the Opening Reception and surprised AGAG Director, Niamani Mutima, with a special tribute to her for her over twenty years of service. Niamani was presented with a commissioned painting (see below)) that acknowledged and paid tribute to the important role her leadership has played in AGAG’s growth and evolution. She was also honored with a commission spoken word tribute.

Looking to the Future: AGAG Legacy Project

Although the Johannesburg meeting was AGAG’s final convening it was not the end of our work! During the closing session Niamani Mutima, AGAG’s Executive Director, discussed the AGAG Legacy Project (ALP) that is the focus for AGAG’s work during 2024 as we wind down. The goals of the ALP are to document AGAG’s history and disseminate insights from our work over the past two decades. These resources will assist grantmaking practitioners working to promote philanthropic resources for African communities.

In May 2023 AGAG released our first ALP product, a podcast documentary. The podcast tells the story of AGAG, how and why it was formed and its evolution. The story unfolds through the voices of a cross-section of the grantmaking practitioners who have been a part of the network and helped to shape it. Drawing on AGAG’s archives, other digital and print resources will be created and disseminated throughout the year. Listen to the podcast on our website or your favorite podcast platform.