Built To Build Different

JOIN US FOR THE 2025 CSI LEGACY CONFERENCE

As South Africa moves beyond the 30-year mark of democracy, we find ourselves in an increasingly polarised and politically volatile society. Public trust in institutions is eroding, political narratives are growing more divisive, and the dignity of many communities we serve is under rhetorical and structural attack. It is in this environment that Corporate Social Investment (CSI) must reassert its purpose.

This year’s theme — Power, Politics, and Purpose: Reimagining CSI in a Polarised South Africa — calls on us to engage with courage and clarity. We meet at a moment when global voices, including those of figures like U.S. President Donald Trump, continue to cast a shadow on South Africa’s development journey. These moments challenge our collective work and compel us to defend the truth, protect communities, and and deepen impact.

This conference is not just a gathering — it’s a repositioning. Together, we will interrogate how CSI should respond to political utterances that denigrate the communities we serve. We will reimagine funding models inspired by the urgency of the Solidarity Fund. Most of all, we will recommit to a purpose-driven, nation-building CSI movement that doesn’t just react but one that leads.

MEET PREVIOUS YEAR’S KEYNOTE

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was a keynote speaker at the 2024 CSI Legacy Conference, which focused on Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in South Africa. The conference aimed to address critical challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality and to foster collaborative solutions for a more inclusive society.

What she said:
In her keynote address, Mlambo-Ngcuka emphasised the critical need for a robust succession plan across all sectors. She urged a renewed focus on leadership to ensure sustained socio-economic transformation in South Africa. Her message highlighted that stronger leadership and consistent commitment are essential for accelerating and making progress in addressing the nation’s inequalities genuinely sustainable. She also stressed the importance of wilful action to implement changes, given South Africa’s rich constitutional history.

Partners:
The CSI Legacy Conference had several key partners:
Old Mutual was a principal partner and headline sponsor, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Old Mutual Foundation. Old Mutual showcased its dedication to supporting the Department of Basic Education, particularly in strengthening literacy and numeracy, with a special focus on mother-tongue education.
Coca-Cola Beverages was the hospitality partner.

What the audience walked away with:
The audience, comprising corporate leaders, NGOs, social investment champions, policymakers, business, government, civil society, and communities, gained valuable insights and practical advice.

Key takeaways and themes included:

• The urgent need for collaborative action to address South Africa’s pressing social challenges.
• The importance of sustainable and long-term impact in CSI initiatives, moving beyond short-term projects to programmes that embed sustainability, scalability, and measurable outcomes.
• The increasing emphasis on strategic partnerships between corporates, NGOs, and communities to amplify impact.
• The critical role of South Africa’s financial services sector in dismantling poverty, reducing unemployment, and promoting equity, with a focus on access to finance and fostering entrepreneurship.
• Insights from state-owned enterprises on accessing funding for impactful projects.
• A strong emphasis on the need for stronger leadership and succession planning to ensure enduring socio-economic transformation.
• The overall message was to re-imagine collective approaches to socio-economic challenges and work together to create comprehensive solutions for a brighter future for all.