The Oppenheimer family is delighted to announce a major new endowment of R1billion to the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust. This donation effectively doubles the size of the Trust and underlines the family’s commitment to the advancement of education in South Africa.

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust was founded by Harry Oppenheimer to honour the memory of his father, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. From the time of its establishment in 1958, it has carried on the philanthropic traditions of the Oppenheimer family with the intention of making a positive difference to society. The Trust has always focused on the development of people and learning, with an emphasis on enabling individuals to further their education and fulfil their potential. There are many examples of the Trust’s investments in the growth of human capital and many beneficiaries have gone on to make important contributions to public life in South Africa. Over the years, the Trust has also supported a large number of organisations, institutions and good causes in other areas, adapting and responding to changing needs.

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This Communiqué reports on the Listening Post Project's survey on nonprofit values. The survey found a widespread consensus that seven values−being productive, effective, enriching, empowering, responsive, reliable, and caring−lie at the core of the nonprofit sector. However, the survey also found that many nonprofit leaders feel that the sector must do a better job of articulating and communicating these values among their stakeholders in the media, government, and general public. In addition to providing the results of this first-of-its-kind survey, this report also puts forth a proposed "renewal strategy" for the sector, to help nonprofits recommit to their core values and to provide a common language for communicating those core values to crucial stakeholders in light of the profound challenges facing the sector around the U.S. today. Click here to read the report

Good Morning Professor Jansen, Honoured Guests and of course all you Graduates. Congratulations on your graduation, this is really a fantastic achievement. Hopefully one day I will be sitting where you are.

Firstly, thank you so much for inviting me here to be your guest speaker, it is a great honour! Wow, I get nervous making a simple speech to my classmates back at school, so please excuse me if I seem to look like a jibbering wreck. Speaking in front of such an esteemed audience like you is something I have never done before. By the way, if I don’t make it to be the Springbok scrum-half, I would love to become a doctor or masters graduate one day. However, I think that I should start working on my school work now, as my mom and teachers are always on at me about my grades.

Two hundred years ago, the Eastern Cape' s hills were dotted with well-maintained farms. Now vast tracts of land are left uncultivated. Litter piles up in the pot-holed streets. Invasive trees choke natural vegetation. Daunted by a lack of employment and dwindling rainfall, many rural inhabitants have left in pursuit of better lives in the cities. But jobs are scarce for unskilled workers. Most end up in sprawling townships where gang violence, crime, murder and rape are rife.

Inyathelo Philanthropy Awardee Richard Mason set up the Kay Mason Foundation in 1999 to tackle disadvantage through education. In 2008, he  travelled through the Eastern Cape and was shocked to see how much talent was being stifled in one of South Africa's poorest but most beautiful provinces. Richard resolved to do something about it and in 2011, he set up Project Lulutho in partnership with the Community of Mthwaku, which provided the land in the Tunga Valley. The project demonstrates how environmental conservation and rehabilitation can go hand in hand with job creation and social upliftment.

The recent reports of the Marikana mine massacre, increasing corruption, the declining quality of education and blatant service delivery challenges in South Africa served as the backdrop to the second Private Philanthropy Circle (PPC) Symposium held on 29 October 2012 in Johannesburg.  

Given South Africa’s dynamic socio-economic and political climate, the symposium entitled Shifting Perspectives sought to contribute to the continuing discussion that has arisen out of PPC meetings on how we should think about philanthropy in the current South African context.

The second biennial assembly of the African Grantmakers' Network (AGN) will survey the diverse landscape of philanthropy in Africa, showcase innovations, explore Africa's changing landscape, and craft a shared agenda to build the field of African philanthropy for development effectiveness. The assembly will facilitate a unique form of engagement across a broad spectrum of social issues and actors. Fresh approaches to big issues like poverty, new wealth, inequality and social exclusion will be explored to frame and inspire a practice of African philanthropy that is in touch with Africa's new realities.

The African Grantmakers' Network is a continent-wide platform to grow an African voice and agenda for philanthropy. Participate in it's biennial assembly to explore what's new, what's now, and what's next in the field of African philanthropy and social investment. To find out more, please visit their website: www.africangrantmakersnetwork.org

Click here to register for the AGN Conference. For more information, please contact Shekeshe Mokgosi at the Southern Africa Trust on  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

What can data do for philanthropy?

By Larry McGill

So, on top of everything else, foundations are supposed to compile and maintain data on their activities? And share it with other foundations? And perhaps even make it public? And do all of this willingly, because it will make philanthropy more effective? It is up to foundations to decide whether or not to do this, but it is becoming clearer every day that the answer is being thrust upon them, whether foundations are ready or not.

Read more on Alliance website.

By Shanaz Musafer
Business reporter, BBC News

"To promote the well-being of mankind throughout the world" and "to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding". Two bold visions from two men who wanted to use their vast wealth to do good.

John D Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie made their money in the oil and steel industries respectively, but both of them wanted to make sure their money would make an impact on society long after they were gone and set up their own philanthropic foundations. Indeed, according to Carnegie, "he who dies rich dies disgraced".

Read more on BBC website.

In this article published in Private Life's September edition, Jan van Staden talks about the importance of philanthropy in South Africa, creating a legacy and making generational wealth sustainable. He says a lot of people are willing to participate in philanthropy, but they are concerned that they will really make a difference.

Jan van Staden is waiting for the day when technology evolves to the point where a simple pair of glasses contains your phone, your GPS and your personal internet portal. He's a futurist at heart, a philosopher by nature and a pragmatist in practice; qualities he brings to his vital role as Head of FNB Wealth and Investments. Private Life caught up with Van Staden to talk legacy, client relations, wealth management and the global outlook.
By CARA BOUWER.