CSI Legacy Awards 2026 Nominees Final Nominees Announced

For Immediate Release
Date: 10 November 2025

CSI Industry Unites as 2026 CSI Legacy Awards Finalists Are Announced

Johannesburg, South Africa — Last Thursday, 6 November, the Corporate Social Investment (CSI) industry gathered in a packed room brimming with leaders, specialists, visionaries, previous winners, judges, and champions to witness one of the most anticipated moments on the CSI calendar—the announcement of the finalists for the 2026 CSI Legacy Awards.

Now entering its fifth year, the CSI Legacy Awards have grown into one of South Africa’s most significant platforms celebrating excellence, innovation, and leadership across the social impact landscape. This year’s cycle drew an impressive 393 nominations, which were carefully refined to 169 semi-finalists and, ultimately, 24 final nominees across eight categories.

A total of 88 organisations attended the announcement ceremony, where this year’s finalists were revealed — alongside the introduction of two new categories, recognising the growing diversity and maturity of the sector.

2026 CSI Legacy Awards Finalists
Best Corporate

• Oceana Group — Zodwa Velleman
• The Moti Group — Zunaid Moti
• Redefine Properties — Pearl Sekgobela
  Allan Gray Investments — Seth Muli

Best CEO

• Primestars South Africa — Martin Sweet
• CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation — Hedley Lewis
• SweepSouth — Lourandi Kriel

Best Woman

• SweepSouth — Lourandi Kriel
• Seriti Institute — Juanita Pardesi
• The Family Life Centre Johannesburg — Jennifer Papers

Best Social Enterprise

• Mzansi CareerBuild — Phindile Mabunda
• Tswelangoele Primary Co-operative — Agnes Modlalo Malebane
• Taking Care of Business — Tracey Gilmore

Best NGO

• The South African Depression and Anxiety Group — Zane Wilson
• Pink Drive — Noelene Kotschan
• Little Eden Society — Ann Coetzee

Best Rising NGO

• Bonamelo Melisizwe Foundation — Bonamelo Moloi
• The Family Life Centre (FAMSA) — Jennifer Papers
• National Graduate Employment Solutions — Albert Malatji

Best Green Impact Initiative

• Taking Care of Business — Tracey Gilmore
• Hlanzekile River and Ocean Cleaning — Floyd Nyai
• Petco — Samu Mkhize

Best Rural Community Project (New Category)

• Socio Skills — Mahlohonolo Ngoepe
• UR Global Mentorship — Anele Mkhuzo

Celebrating Growth and Leadership in CSI
This year’s finalists reflect not only excellence but also persistence. Several organisations entered after years of being nominated multiple times — a testament to the maturing nature of the CSI ecosystem.

The announcement event was a day of insight and inspiration. Delegates heard a powerful keynote address delivered by the former CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and now Managing Director of Rhe Hata Mmoho, while funders hosted a special session demystifying funding parameters — unpacking who they fund, what they fund, and how organisations can better position themselves for support.

A thought-provoking panel discussion followed, focused on understanding transformation frameworks and how these influence the broader social investment agenda in South Africa.

Early Bird Tickets Now Open
The CSI Legacy Awards 2026 will take place next year, marking five years of recognising the individuals and organisations shaping South Africa’s social impact future.

Early Bird tickets are now open at a special rate of R598 (valid until the end of the 16 Days of Activism campaign). Thereafter, tickets will be priced at R1,398.
We encourage CSI professionals, NGOs, corporates, and social innovators to take advantage of this limited offer and join us in celebrating excellence, integrity, and innovation in South Africa’s CSI industry.