Recognised as the CSI Manager of the Year through the CSI Legacy Awards, Vovo…
Welcome to Our Winter Edition,
As the seasons shift, so too does the landscape of civil society — both globally and here at home. With this edition, I find myself reflecting on the clarity I’ve gained in recent months regarding the role I wish to play within South Africa’s CSI space. I’m energised by a renewed focus: to critically examine how we, as CSI practitioners, do the work we do — and how we must evolve to truly deliver transformative impact in our communities.
This moment in time is a turning point. Globally, philanthropic leadership is undergoing a quiet revolution. Bill Gates has announced the eventual winding down of his foundation.
Warren Buffett is stepping away by year’s end. Ford Foundation CEO Darren Walker will also be exiting. Closer to home, we’ve seen leadership changes at the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Standard Bank’s Tutuwa Foundation. These transitions are not just symbolic; they mark a profound opportunity for introspection and recalibration.
As we chart a path for the next 30 years of CSI, we must ask the tough questions. In this issue, we tackle one head-on: Has CSI in South Africa truly empowered Black business within its ecosystem? This is no accident — this edition is intentional, bold, and unapologetically centred around Black voices, Black leadership, and Black excellence.
On the cover, we proudly feature Vovo Ngcwabe, CSI Manager of the Year and a recipient of the 2024 CSI Legacy Award. Inside, we reflect on Darren Walker’s legacy, revisit Trevor Noah’s rousing call to action at the Skoll Conference, and unveil two new initiatives born from our own journey: Driven and Let’s Be Friend.
This sixth issue is both a celebration and a call to consciousness. As the world changes — as AI such as ChatGPT brings us closer together — let us not be caught flat-footed. As the former CEO of Nokia once said, “We did nothing wrong, but somehow, we lost.” We owe it to our sector, and to the communities we serve, to never stop evolving. So, pull on your winter woollies, settle in, and journey with us through this powerful edition of CSI Matter. Thank you for reading.
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