Inyathelo: The South African Institute for Advancement warmly welcomes Patrice Motsepe’s announcement to give half the money generated by his family’s assets to assist poor South Africans. The institute, which hosts the annual Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards as part of its efforts to grow local giving, says it is significant that the mining magnate has committed his funds in such a public way, and that he has specified that the money will be spent on improving the lives of the most marginalised.
Inyathelo’s Programme Director Gabrielle Ritchie says South Africa desperately needs more of this kind of strategic philanthropic investment that fundamentally addresses the deep-rooted social inequalities in our society. “Despite being Africa’s richest nation, no South African made it onto last year’s Forbes ‘Biggest Givers List’. More than half of the continent’s dollar millionaires live in South Africa and yet we remain the most unequal society in the world according to the latest measure of the Gini coefficient which now includes China. More wealthy South Africans need to follow Motsepe’s example and give back in strategic ways that contribute to our social development,” says Ritchie.
Motsepe is the first South African, and the first on the African continent, to join The Giving Pledge. The group was launched two years ago by American billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffet and challenges the world’s wealthiest to give 50 percent or more of their fortune to charity. Inyathelo’s Philanthropy Co-ordinator Alfred Thutloa says yesterday’s announcement is a major breakthrough for personal philanthropy in South Africa. “Motsepe’s very public gesture will encourage others to commit their personal resources towards broader social development. It also underlines the importance of institutionalising philanthropy by setting up Foundations that structure and sustain the contributions made by South Africans. Foundations ensure that our funds can keep on giving well in to the future. We believe that individual giving could be the biggest source of donor money in South Africa and philanthropists can play an important role in eradicating poverty; giving a voice to those who remain unheard; and providing innovative solutions to our many social problems,” says Thutloa.
Ritchie agrees that creating a public platform for philanthropy in South Africa forms a critical part of efforts to grow local giving. “Many philanthropists are shy about their contribution and prefer to fly under the radar. However, going public ensures that this kind of social commitment and investment is seen for what it is – deliberate and considered efforts to contribute to South Africa’s long terms social and economic development. Both are desperately needed if we are to safeguard and strengthen our democracy,” insists Ritchie.
Editors Notes: And what about those people who have a bit of spare cash? Not rich like Motsepe, but comfortable, should they also not do the same?
