Transformation on Trial: Closing Reflections and the Power of 50by50

As the Transformation on Trial series draws to a close, it feels right to pause and reflect on the journey we have taken together over the past two months. What began as a solitary thought became a public conversation—one shaped by the many voices that challenged, affirmed and expanded it. This concluding piece is both a thank you and a call to action.

I often think back to my late grandmother, a resolute Catholic whose faith left a lasting imprint on my upbringing. Every Sunday, without fail, she made sure my siblings and I were in church. Yet it was not her discipline that stayed with me most, but her giving. One week, instead of her usual coins, she placed a R20 note into the offering basket. That small act became the subject of family debate for weeks. It felt excessive, almost uncomfortable, but in that discomfort was something transformative.

That moment captures the essence of this series. Transformation requires us to step beyond what is safe or symbolic. It asks the harder question: what now?

At its heart, Transformation on Trial set out to provoke an honest conversation about the state of transformation in South Africa’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) sector. Not just to echo the rhetoric of inclusion, but to interrogate how, why, and for whom transformation is pursued. True transformation cannot be reduced to token gestures or quotas. It must be structural, cultural, and enduring.

This is where the 50by50 initiative comes in. Its vision is to reshape the CSI sector by 2050 into one that is inclusive, agile and authentically transformed. It is built around a Charter and Code of Conduct, and it offers three levels of engagement. The subscriber tier allows anyone to pledge their support. The decision-making tier gives corporates, NGOs and individuals voting rights. At the highest level, the steering committee will unite leading voices from business, academia, civil society and the non-profit world.

Joining this movement can start simply. The subscriber badge—free to download and add to your email signature—signals support and directs others to learn more. From there, deeper tiers provide opportunities for real influence and responsibility.

The lesson from my grandmother’s church remains: presence is not enough. Churches, like all institutions, rely on unseen contributions of money, labour and effort. Likewise, in CSI, passive attendance does not shape the future. If you remain disengaged, decisions will be made without you.

This series has shown the importance of difficult conversations. We have challenged the myth of a “lack of Black talent”, questioned performative diversity, and exposed how leadership appointments often signal deeper institutional intent. These are not comfortable discussions, but they are vital if we are to move beyond surface-level change.

Already, there are signs of movement. The appointment of a Black woman to a senior role at SAB Foundation (Sarah), for instance, suggests that these issues are finding their way into boardrooms. It would be presumptuous to claim direct credit, yet it is undeniable that open dialogue precedes meaningful action. Transformation’s true power lies in its ability to reframe the decisions taken by boards, committees and leaders—shifting priorities and opening up new possibilities.

The mission of 50by50 is to anchor this process: to create a platform where dialogue, partnership and shared vision can drive authentic transformation. Its success will depend on how many of us choose to engage—because transformation is not a spectator sport.

Allow me to close with the guiding sentiment that has carried this series:   The conversations you’re not hearing are the ones shaping your future.

Now is the moment to listen, to engage, and to act.  To download the Transformation on Trial Info pack – email:  editor@simphiwemtetwa.africa