FACES OF CSI - EDITOR'S COPY

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Faces of CSI

Faces of CSI

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Faces of CSI

Welcome!

To Gogo with love. This is the very last thing that I am ever going to be able to do that is directed 100% to you. So, I dedicate the first Issue of Faces of CSI to you.

Love always - PS; missing you already...

When I was around 14 years old I chose to take typing as a subject – a pretty risky choice for a boy at the time. Honestly, the reason I did it was simply to avoid studying, I hated studying. So, I looked for the easiest subjects

cles and petrol. Come holiday time, I’d be at

to take that did not demand too much thought.

it again; diligently helping my grandmother

I was the kind of kid who got excited when

compose and type up funding proposals. I

the pass rate dropped from 40% to 33%.

still remember my Olivetti typewriter and the tipex we used to correct our mistakes.

‘Yippee!’ I thought. ‘That’s 7% less studying for me!’

I have been in the CSI sector ever since, and For some reason, I bought a typewriter with

in recognition of my grandmother’s passion

my pocket money, although it was not nec-

and tireless work, I dedicate this first issue of

essary, as the school had its own. At about

Faces of CSI to her. Here was a black woman

the same time, my grandmother, Charlotte

who, during the height of apartheid, founded

Mtetwa, started an HIV/Aids Home-Based

and ran an organisation that now has branch-

Care centre. Since I had the skill, she roped

es all over Mpumalanga. Today Phaphamani

me in to type her proposals. I didn’t much

Home-Based Care centres employ just under

enjoy sitting inside typing all day while all

65 people and is said to be worth between R7

my friends were playing outside, but little did

million and R13 million. My grandmother gave

I know how this early practice in addressing

her all to her community; she fed, clothed,

funders would play into my future career. By

bathed and healed the desperately ill at a time

the age of 16, I knew more than most kids

when no-one understood the disease. To me,

do about the needs of an NGO, how funders

she epitomises the true spirit of community

work and how to pitch a funding request.

development and work.

The skill stood me in good stead. At university,

This is our first issue of twelve to thirteen

my prowess with words won me favours; the

planned issues – one a quarter over the

SRC gave me free access to university vehi-

next three years. The impetus behind this

Faces of CSI

publication is twofold; to get to know the

when to use ‘instance’ and when ‘inci-

personalities who are in CSI, those that run

dence’. The stuff that only a language lover

our NGOs as well as those who fund them,

knows. Thank you so much, Ms Mqamelo.

and to compile an archive of historic material that will inform our next generation of CSI

To our design team, sales team and publishers

workers. We want to document the work –

– thank you. We did it. Samson Nkosi, thank

both the successes and the failures – of many,

you for the constant advice and the nitpicking.

so that lessons learned are not entirely lost.

We started this journey together in 2009 and today we have established what was always a

My wonderful grandmother, who passed

dream. Your role is gratefully acknowledged.

away on the 05th of January of this year, left a legacy. As I put together this issue, speaking

To my grandmother, Charlotte Mtetwa, who

to so many passionate and proactive people,

inspired and guided me. You opened my eyes

I wondered what legacy I would be leaving

to the suffering of people all around me, gave

behind. I had long felt there was a need to

me a passion for sound corporate business

stir up the CSI industry; to challenge, inspire,

and set me on the path of corporate social

get roleplayers talking and build bridges

investment. Because of you, I have a passion

between them. We started Faces of CSI to

to see that CSI is done effectively and well.

examine our field a little more closely, capture the schools of thought and document

To my Father, my Saviour, my Lord – Jesus

best practice. There was a need to speak as

Christ – ‘thank yous’ are not enough – the

human beings to one another, so that we

best way to express how I feel is by quoting

glean ideas not just from carefully worded

something powerful that I live by. “It is not

reports, but the realities of everyday work

by power, nor by might but by My Spirit says

in the CSI sector.

the Lord of Host.’ Thank you Lord Jesus.

Thanks are due

Welcome to our first edition! You’re about to meet some fascinating people. Perhaps you

As always with a new venture, there are

know of others we might feature – drop us a

people to thank who made it happen. I grate-

line, as our country is full of unsung activ-

fully acknowledge the valuable input of all

ists both within and outside our corporate

the following:

structures.

Jane Mqamelo, our editor and a true an-

We’d like to feature a letters page (Letters to

alyst at heart, who goes the extra mile to

Jane), too, so your opinions and comments

check facts, accepting nothing at face val-

are most welcome. Who knows – perhaps we

ue and questioning everything to make

might offer an incentive for best letter; make

sure our content is true and makes sense.

it real, be honest, and let’s see what we get.

She also knows the difference between an independent and a dependent clause,

Blessings to all in the CSI sector. Your work

the correct place to put an apostrophe and

keeps South Africa a hopeful place to be!

Simphiwe Mtetwa Editor-In-Chief

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Table of Contents p/04

Welcome Editor-In-Chief – Simphiwe Mtetwa

p/08

Why CSI Managers End Up Funding the Same NGOs

p/14

Greatness Always Demands Effort – Charlotte Mtetwa

p/22

Keri Leigh Pachal – Director of Mergon’s Nation Builder

p/26

The Open Mind Collection – Johnson Tsang

Faces of CSI

p/28

Task Challenges & Fun

p/30

The Setlogane Manchidi Book Review

p/32

Funders Round – The making of A Champion

p/34

Who Wants To Make A Difference Anyway

p/38

Innovative Entrepreneurship – Our Hope For Cutting Employment

p/44

Wonderbag – A Recipe For Change

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Why CSI Managers and Funders End Up Funding the Same NGOs Time After Time?

Several years ago, I worked for one of South

Money to give

Africa’s parastatals through an agency, man-

My boss came to me one Tuesday morn-

aging CSI programmes. Our combined budget

ing and said, ‘Find an NGO with a national

was ZAR15 million a year. Because it was a

footprint and award them 300 000 rand.’

parastatal, it was impressed upon us that

With a bonanza like that to offer, I was

we had to pay organisations and suppliers

frustrated beyond belief to find that not

promptly. Not to do so would have resulted

one NGO I knew of was contactable. Num-

in the collapse of many of these small busi-

bers I dialled did not exist, websites were

nesses and NGOs. The prompt disbursement

terrible – everything written on the sites

of money also reflected well on my appraisal

was disastrous and incomprehensible –

report and helped determine whether or not

and no one answered. The pressure

I received a 13th cheque. The job was more

was immense; my boss reported to his

strenuous than it sounds. Meetings started at

boss, who reported to the Minister, and

06:00 am and there were times when I’d leave

they all wanted a simple enough task

the office at 4:00 am, to be back at the office

done – to give away ZAR300 000, fast.

at 08:00 am. The job was tough, but I loved it at first, because I was making a difference.

When I finally did get through to a couple of NGOs, the answering of calls was un-

The more I got to understand how things

professional to say the least. Phones were

worked, the harder the job became. I had a

answered with, ‘Y’ello?’ followed by screams

mandate to fulfil, and a status meeting every

of ‘someone here wants to speak to the

Thursday, where I accounted sometimes to a

person that deals with funding!’ (in Zulu or

room full of up to 20 people. Progress had to

Sesotho). Then I’d be told that I couldn’t have

be made and reported on. I spent a lot of time

the relevant person’s cell phone number

scouting suppliers and NGOs to do tasks that

because they did not want calls to their

would both fulfil our requirements and boost

cell phone. What?

the supplier, so that the parastatal could show its positive impact on the community. Will

This is an NGO I am talking to, where the

you believe me when I say that 90% of the

whole purpose is to assist communities.

time, I would not find a single reliable NGO

They don’t want to be called on their cell

or NPO with which to work? My workload

phone. I wanted to help the little guys, the

was enormous, and I did not have the time

organisations on the ground, the ones mostly

to thoroughly appraise each NGO or NPO, or

overlooked because they lacked the big budg-

to mentor them. I needed our suppliers to

ets and the sophistication. But this was too

be on the ball, to have systems in place, to

much. In the end I called a friend who called

be reliable, to call back when they said they

a friend, who knew of a reliable NGO that we

would, to speak the language of business to a

could work with – the likes of AfrikaTikkun,

sufficient extent that they could understand

Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, New Jeru-

deadlines, quantities and issues of quality.

salem, Symphonia and a handful of others.

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‘Those who have, receive more.’ And this is why CSI Managers end up gravitating over

Where to from here?

and over again to the same handful of big

NGO and NPOs, please revisit your modus

NGOs. They have up-to-date, user-friendly

operandi. What you put in is always what

websites, they submit financial reports,

you get out. When you submit proposals,

and they have trained personnel who

get someone to check them. Weed out the

identify with the core functions of the

errors. Get help with structuring proposals

NGO and are able to respond appropriately

so that the reader has a clue and can discern

to out-of-the-ordinary requests. They are

the priorities. Spell the names right. Do the

available. They attend conferences. They

sums right. These are obvious, but honestly,

stay learning. They monitor their own pro-

get it right.

gress, asking, how can we offer our services better, more efficiently? They tend not to

When you call a corporate and ask to speak

moan that times are hard – because they

to the CSI manager, know the name. Don’t

are always hard at work. Instead they’ll

say, ‘Can I speak to Simelane?’ ‘Which Sim-

say something like, ‘We’ve been sending

elane? This is a big organisation, can you

proposals here and there and getting no

give me a surname?’ ‘I don’t know, it’s just

response – what are we not doing right?

written Simelane.’

How can we improve?’

Bad answer. It shows you’ve not done your Once, in speaking to the director of one of

homework, you haven’t checked the internet

the smaller NGOs, I referred in passing to a

or read a report, you know nothing before

donation given to one of the big ones. She broke in, somewhat bitterly, ‘Ja … the NGOs that always get the funding.’ One has to ask, ‘Why do they always get the funding?’

NGOs need to understand a little more about the pressures that CSI managers are under.

My situation was not uncommon. I had 48 hours in which to dispose of money to a worthy and responsible NGO. I needed to move fast, but I was not willing to throw it away on an ill-prepared organisation. Efficiency was what I was looking for; someone who grasped the urgency and could rise to the occasion with a plan already in place. CSI managers do find themselves in this position occasionally, rightly or wrongly.

Can NGO and CSI managers cross the great divide that separates them? They can, but both sides have a long way to go. As recently as our September 2018 Funders Round, I called NGOs and NPOs myself, because in inviting them to events like this I get a sense of where they’re at. I get to gauge the level of professionalism, the openness to new ideas, the sense of connection with the real world. I must say we are certainly not there yet.

Faces of CSI

you cold called. How can you expect me to partner with you when you don’t do your part?

CSI managers are business people working under pressure. In many cases they care little about the details of your project. When I handed out a thousand pairs of shoes at a Mandela Day event, I was less concerned about the individual stories of every child than the overall picture – had we got the sizes right? Would every child get a pair?

These are logistical issues, and these are what concern the mind of the man or woman making decisions about huge sums of money.

Many CSI Managers work from 6:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs. You, the NGO or NPO, should work at least from 08:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs. Your fundraising manager’s cell number should be on your website, and the phone switched on and charged during all working hours.

Answer it when it rings. In my parastatal days we were told not to allow the phone to

ring more than three times, and always to return calls when we missed them.

On your website, have a page called Resources, where you show your short and crisp proposal, cancelled cheque or letter from the bank, your BEE Certificate, your NPO number, your most recent annual report, a letter of good stating from SARS, minutes from your most recent meetings, your active funders and your basic general purpose.

There is a lovely saying: What is the definition of insanity? (I am sure you know the answer – ‘doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result’.)

Think about some of the ways your NGO presents itself, and consider whether a few well-chosen changes might not greatly boost your chances of success. The relationship between funders and NGOs and NPOs need not be fraught with difficulties; each side simply needs to understand the priorities and needs of the other, and adapt where necessary.

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Importance of Educational Measurement, Assessment and Evaluation

The other side of M&E

held to standards and can be used to obtain reliable results. When used properly, they accurately gather data for educators and administrators.

Some standard measurements in education are raw scores, percentile ranks and standard scores.

Assessment One of the primary measurement tools in education is the assessment. Teachers gather information by giving tests, conducting interviews and monitoring behavior. The assessment should be carefully prepared and administered to ensure its reliability and validity. In other words, an assessment must provide consistent results and it must

The other side of Measurement and Assessment

measure what it claims to measure.

As teachers become more familiar with data-driven instruction, they are making decisions about what and how they teach based on the information gathered from their students. In other words, teachers first find out what their students know and what they do not know, and then determine how best to bridge that gap.

How Are Measurement, Assessment and Evaluation Different?

During the process of gathering information for effective planning and instruction, the

Evaluation

words measurement, assessment and evalu-

Creating valid and reliable assessments is

ation are often used interchangeably. These

critical to accurately measuring educational

words, however, have significantly different

data. Evaluating the information gathered,

meanings.

however, is equally important to the effective use of the information for instruction.

Measurement The word measurement, as it applies to ed-

In education, evaluation is the process of

ucation, is not substantially different from

using the measurements gathered in the

when it is used in any other field. It simply

assessments. Teachers use this information

means determining the attributes or dimen-

to judge the relationship between what was

sions of an object, skill or knowledge. We

intended by the instruction and what was

use common objects in the physical world

learned. They evaluate the information gath-

to measure, such as tape measures, scales

ered to determine what students know and

and meters. These measurement tools are

understand, how far they have progressed and

Faces of CSI

Why Is Data-Driven Instruction So Effective?

Accurately measuring student progress with reliable assessments and then evaluating the information to make instruction more efficient, effective and interesting is what data-driven instruction is all about. Educators who are willing to make thoughtful and intentional changes in instruction based on more than the next chapter in the textbook find higher student engagement and more highly motivated students.

In fact, when students are included in the evaluation process, they are more likely to be self-motivated. Students who see the results of their work only on the quarterly or semester report card or the high-stakes testing report are often discouraged or deflated, knowing that the score is a permanent record of their past achievement.

When students are informed about the results of more frequent formative assessments and can see how they have improved or where they need to improve, they more easily see the value of investing time and energy in how fast, and how their scores and progress

their daily lessons and projects.

compare to those of other students.

In the Master of Science in Educational Leadership online program offered by

Why Are Measurement, Assessment and Evaluation Important in Education?

St. Thomas University, Professor Scott E.

According to educator and author, Graham

introduced “to elements of assessment that

Nuthall, in his book The Hidden Lives of

are essential to good teaching. It provides

Learners, “In most of the classrooms we have

students with an understanding of the role

studied, each student already knows about

of assessment in the instructional process,”

40-50% of what the teacher is teaching.”

including the proper evaluation of assess-

The goal of data-driven instruction is to

ments and standardized tests, and how to

avoid teaching students what they already

make better use of the data in their daily

know and teach what they do not know in

classroom instruction.

a way the students will best respond to.

Data-driven instruction, using accurate

Gillig teaches a class called Educational Measurement. In this class, students are

measurements, appropriate assessments For the same reason, educators and admin-

and in-depth evaluation, is changing the

istrators understand that assessing students

way we view tests and instruction, as well

and evaluating the results must be ongoing

as the way we communicate information to

and frequent. Scheduled assessments are

both students and families. Teachers who

important to the process, but teachers must

have a clear understanding of how and why

also be prepared to re-assess students, even

these issues are important will find these

if informally, when they sense students are

changes give them a better understanding

either bored with the daily lesson or frustrated

of their students and better opportunities

by material they are not prepared for. Using

to help their students achieve academic

the measurements of these intermittent

success.

formative assessments, teachers can fine-

Learn more about St. Thomas University’s

tune instruction to meet the needs of their

online Master of Science in Educational

students on a daily and weekly basis.

Leadership program.

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GREATNESS DEMANDS EFFORT The story of a woman who rose above circumstances, helped erase a stigma, loved unconditionally and exemplified true success.

Faces of CSI

When a person known to have HIV entered a home, the householders would throw away everything that person had touched or eaten from. Family members would confine a sick relative to a hut alone, pushing food through the doorway, then running. No one wanted to be near a person with HIV.

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Amidst the battle: ‘Good’ demands talent, but ‘great’ demands talent and effort

Faces of CSI

The story of a woman who rose above circumstances, helped erase a stigma, loved unconditionally and exemplified true success.

Between 1990 and 1994, hospital wards around the country were filled with the wounded; battle-torn civilians and both ANC and IFP activists were admitted daily, and deaths in hospital were a common occurrence.

At the same time, a less obvious, silent killer stalked hospital corridors – a disease that was only gradually being acknowledged and which killed at a more prolific rate than the political violence – HIV/Aids.

In 1990 an estimated 74 000 to 120 000 South Africans were living with HIV. Most had no idea they had the disease, as the subject was taboo. No one talked about it, no one acknowledged it. In 1992 a member of the apartheid parliament actually stated that the disease might be usefully harnessed to rid South Africa of its black population. This threat was made potent by the fact that that the government had already been developing biological We all know that April 1994 was a momentous

weapons to use against black South Africans.

and liberating event in the history of South Africa. Apartheid fell, old laws crumbled,

In the traditionally black hospitals, some

and decades of blood, sweat and struggle

CEOs and a handful of head matrons knew

culminated in our first ever democratic

the disease by name, and some took action.

election, ushering in the government of our

One of these was Charlotte Mtetwa.

choosing. South Africa rejoiced, and for a

Charlotte was head matron of Themba Hospi-

few brief years all was rainbows and roses.

tal in rural Mpumalanga. In the midst of the

Few may now recall the bloody wars that

political mayhem and bloodshed, with her

erupted in KwaZulu-Natal and elsewhere

hands already full, she began investigating

in the four years preceding our first dem-

the circumstances of those diagnosed with

ocratic election. Violence that had sim-

HIV. After a full and exhausting day managing

mered for years between the ANC and the

wards, she would visit those diagnosed and

IFP intensified, fuelled largely by the apart-

sent home with HIV/Aids.

heid government’s clandestine support of

What she found was distressing. When

the IFP. The National Party’s aim was to

a person known to have HIV entered a

create havoc, making the country appear

home, the householders would throw away

ungovernable without them. They set up

everything that person had touched or eat-

a ‘third force’ of state security operatives

en from. Family members would confine a

and funded IFP paramilitaries in their at-

sick relative to a hut alone, pushing food

tacks against civilians and ANC members.

through the doorway, then running. No

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one wanted to be near a person with HIV. Fear and ignorance were running rampant.

Charlotte’s official retirement was nearing, but it was clear to her that she would not be

became unmanageable To answer the need,

entering a life of ease – her work was cut

she formed an NGO, Phaphamani Home-

out for her. After retiring, she stepped up her

Based Care. She began writing proposals,

visits to families and individuals affected

requesting food, blankets, medical essen-

and infected with HIV/Aids. From her own

tials – anything that would help ease the

vegetable garden, she made a nutritious

burden of the desperately sick and suffering

cabbage soup and took it door to door to the

around her. Gradually local hospitals took

homes of the sick. As she fed, bathed and

note. Because of her history of service, she

treated the wounds of bedridden patients,

was trusted, and doors opened for her. She

she constantly preached a message to family

developed herself, learning as much as she

members, ‘Wake up! You can stop this!’

could about the disease. She was invited to

She would call community meetings and

speak all over the province, and in 2000 was

convey some truths that now seem so obvi-

a finalist in the Shoprite/Checkers Woman

ous, but which were shrouded in ignorance

of the Year Award.

then: ‘You cannot contract HIV/Aids from

In the midst of the scourge, Charlotte’s own

helping someone with the disease. Don’t

son HIV/Aids, having been sick long before

sleep around – this disease is spread through

he admitted it. She broughtjawswith around-

sharing bodily fluids. Wake up! Change your

the-clock nursing. She won that battle

behaviour! Have compassion on those who

Running an NGO after years of working

are sick, and have hope, because we can

as a nurse is no mean feat. Charlotte be-

prevent this from getting worse.’

came mother, grandmother, community

As is so often the case, the truth fell on deaf

health worker and businesswoman all in

ears. consistently ranked in the top three provinces for ids, and the numbers of sick and dying in Charlotte’s own community

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one, managing Phaphamani Home-Based

Phaphamani Home-Based Care now has

Care and the many who either volunteered

branches all over the province. Thousands

or found employment there. Parents from as

have passed through the doors of these

far as Johannesburg and Piet Retief would

centres, and although not all have returned

send their children to Gogo Charlotte to be

home healthy, all have found compassion,

nursed during the worst phases of their

respect and love within these centres.

disease, and months later she would send

Charlotte was relentlessly cheerful, en-

them home healthy. She was nominated for

couraging and compassionate. She retired

the Sowetan Woman Nation-builder of the

for the second time in 2015, aged 85, but

Year, a recognition that fuelled her desire to

continued to support the work of the cen-

continue what she was doing. Her life was

tres she started. To the day she died, she

never about herself; always about others.

said that home support for HIV sufferers

When Charlotte passed away in January

in South Africa was still inadequate. The

2019, she left behind the kind of legacy that

stigma is lower, but not yet eradicated, and

implies success in the true sense of the

behaviour in many areas – amongst rich

word; not wealth or fame, but the positive

and poor alike – continues to court the

difference made in people’s lives.

disease. Many die neglected and alone, partly because of an unwillingness to be open about their condition.

Phaphamani Home-Based Care found a supportive partner in Global Hand, a non-profit brokerage organisation that slots NGOs into public/private partnerships. Global Hand recently estimated Phaphamani to be worth between R7 million and R13 million.

Charlotte Mtetwa became a mother to thousands, offering her life in the service of others. She lived by action, not by words alone.

This, by standards higher than those many of us currently live by, was a successful life.

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Keri Leigh Paschal Director of Mergon’s Nation Builder Director and co-founder of Nation

Where were and when were you born?

Builder, an initiative within the Mer-

‘21 March 1983 in Pretoria, on Human

gon Group. Apart from her social

Rights Day, which is very appropri-

development work, she’s a keen run-

ate because human rights is a big

ner and hockey player. Mergon is an

personal passion.’

Keri-Leigh Paschal is the Executive

entrepreneurial private investment group that exists to impact lives

Qualifications?

and equip others to do the same.

‘BSC Biochemistry, with a focus

The group consists of Mergon In-

on HIV. Qualified teacher. Senior

vest, the Mergon Foundation and

Management Development Pro-

Nation Builder. They have offices in

gramme (USB). ‘After completing

the Western Cape and Gauteng and

my post-graduate studies in Bio-

engage regularly with business and

chemistry (specializing in HIV) at

make a difference. We spend a lot of

NPO partners across the country.

the University of Pretoria – and

time learning from one another, and

qualifying as a high school teach-

collectively engage with the industry

Many of us have seen or heard of

er – I moved to London and joined

to share our knowledge.’

the groundbreaking work currently

a start-up business in a marketing

being done by Nation Builder in the

and development capacity. After

developmental space. We were eager

returning to South Africa, I joined a

How do you spend your spare time?

to find out more about the programme

multi-national biochemical company

‘My husband Brandon and I love to

and about Keri-Leigh, the person.

to fulfil a similar role in marketing

travel, are very active and enjoy the

and development. I also initiated

outdoor sporting opportunities that

Tell us about Nation Builder.

and lead a national drive to raise

the Winelands have to offer. Running

‘We launched Nation Builder in 2012

awareness of autism in South Afri-

on the mountains, enjoying the wine

after identifying a need for collective

ca. This ignited a passion to utilise

farms, socializing with friends and

learning in the social impact space

marketing and business to raise

doing DIY – that’s more or less how

– our aim being to inspire and equip

social awareness and investment.

I spend my non-working time.’

businesses to lead through positive

I joined Mergon’s Nation Builder

social impact projects. There is so

team in 2011.’

much valuable knowledge-sharing

Are you on Twitter, Facebook or any of the other social platforms?

together who are passionate about

What do you do at Nation Builder?

leveraging their businesses for good.

‘I’m Executive Director and co-found-

we have various social media plat-

Nation Builder is positioned in that

er of the programme. A day in the

forms that we use strategically as

space – between businesses and

life of … me … involves quite a few

part of our communication strat-

NPOs – to help facilitate mutual

meetings with team members, our

egy, and I also personally connect

peer-learning for the greatest possible

group and partners.

with industry, thought-leaders,

that happens when people come

collective impact.

‘Yes, all of them! As Nation Builder,

colleagues, friends and family ‘It’s all about building relationships,

through LinkedIn, Twitter, Insta-

Nation Builder offers resources, tools

collating thought-leadership from

gram and Facebook.’

and a community to help ensure that

our peer-learning community and

social investment is as effective as

connecting with business leaders

possible.’

to discuss how their business can

What would you tell someone just entering this sector

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– share the highs and the lows.

We’ve found ways to do it. In launching

‘There are many complexities to navigate,

our Collabs in 2018, and now also with

and you need to be curious to try and un-

our national steering committee and our

derstand as many different views as pos-

focus on NPO best business practice, we’re

sible, to be able to engage with empathy

starting to see the first fruits of a collective

and insight. The industry can sometimes

approach to social development. We are

feel territorial, but real social impact re-

positioned between NPOs and businesses.

quires us to put aside our “brands” to work

This is a unique space that enables us to

together for real change to happen.

facilitate learning across sectors.

‘Also, it’s important to be able to speak the aspects of this industry. To contextualise

Why would a client seeking to make a social impact choose Nation Builder to help them do so?

conversations according to people’s different

‘Thankfully, we are not consultants, so

frames of reference is a very important skill.

no one needs to choose. We are a collab-

It builds bridges.

orative, peer-learning community that

“language” of both the social and the business

anyone can connect with, either online or ‘Highs have been seeing how even major

through our ‘Business and NPO Collabs’

corporate competitors can work together on

and ‘Business Xchange’ programmes. Our

social impact projects when the will is there.

resources are free, and our community

We’ve seen collaboration achieve much more

exists to serve the industry.’

than companies working alone can achieve.’

Detail the services you offer.

When founding Nation Builder, what was the driving factor? Do you check against your original plans, and if so, how are you doing?

‘What has become clear is that social

‘Our plan was to work collectively with

‘Nation Builder is a platform that aims to bring

others to influence the social impact

all these role-players together for greater

landscape. And that is still our goal.

impact. We offer one another resources, tools

upliftment efforts are most effective when businesses, communities, civil society and government work together.

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Faces of CSI

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and a community to help ensure that

‘That you can be part of making

timately make an indelible mark on our

social investment is as effective as

a positive impact in the lives of

great nation and lead it into a flourishing

possible. Through the Nation Builder

many and can be a part of shaping

future. What could be a better goal for

Social Investment Benchmarking

the country’s narrative, to address

business than that?’

Tool, Nation Builder wants to help

societal issues through doing

businesses understand the effec-

business with purpose.’

tiveness of their CSI strategies, and improve their social investment efforts year-on-year.

We’ve heard about you’re In Good Company conference.

Tell us more.

Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time – both personally and in business?

‘Hmm ... personally, I would love to continue having a voice on different platforms

‘Nation Builder businesses are re-

This year, the theme for our fifth

sourced with fresh perspectives,

annual In Good Company confer-

practical tools and expert advice to

ence is The Art of Business. It is an

‘I’d love to see Nation Builder becoming

maximise their CSI impact. The on-

art to connect social impact with

a movement within our country, where

line community is intended to offer

business strategy and our speak-

people see business as a force for good,

shared learnings, best practice tips,

ers will be facilitating conversa-

bringing social impact into the center

case studies, animated videos and

tions around that.

of business practice.’

academics, practitioners, NPOs and

‘In mastering the art of business,

consultancies as a means to get a fuller

leaders need a deep sense of aware-

perspective of industry best practice.’

ness and understanding of how their

Now for the lighter stuff!

Favorite colour, restaurant and home town?

business is uniquely positioned to

Teal, Basic Bisto, Stellenbosch!

that will influence mindset shifts.

resources developed by CSI experts,

If you could change one thing in the field of CSI what would it be and why?

make a difference in the lives of its society, and the nation.

What gives Keri satisfaction both in life and in business?

(Be honest.)

of business leaders (both listed

‘The conference takes place on 15

‘Conquering a challenge that was “out

and non-listed companies) see

August in Pretoria. ‘We’re encourag-

of my league” and marveling at how

the strategic advantage of having

ing all who have an interest in the

everything is possible with God.’

social impact programmes as part

confluence of business and doing

of an essential, strategic business

good to be part of this day. Discover

imperative.’

how you can embrace a sense of evo-

staff, its various stakeholders, broader

‘I would love to see senior levels

Recognize and create opportunities

When you retire and look back, what do you want family, friends and industry to say about you?

to build bridges, equip and empower

She lived her life to the full, driven by

people to grow and succeed, and ul-

a love for people and a higher calling.’

lutionary purpose in your business!

What appealed to you most when you first entered this industry?

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JOHNSON TSANG Open Mind Collection Meet the man who brings clay to life, Hong

‘The clay seemed so friendly to me, it listened

Kong-based sculptor, Johnson Tsang. He is

to every single word in my mind and did

globally recognised as having an extraor-

exactly what I was expecting. Every touch

dinary gift for realism, which he combines

is so soothing. I feel like I am touching a

with a surrealistic twist, a bizarre sense of

human skin. I find peace and joy in it. I’ve

humour and a delicate, empathetic touch. His

felt in love with it ever since.’

sculptures often integrate objects with the

Tsang works mostly in clay and stainless

human form, pushing the boundaries of real-

steel, often employing the motif of the splash

ism and challenging the viewer’s imagination.

– clay and steel seem to defy gravity as objects

With the hands of a surgeon, Tsang models

splash through the human form. His latest

reality with thought-provoking precision.

exhibition, some of which is shown here, is called Open Mind.

Tsang spent 13 years in the Hong Kong police force, developing a love of 3D art while

His mind-blowing craftmanship, beautiful

still employed as a policeman. During his

human faces and obvious love of his subject

first pottery class, he discovered an instant

matter inspire admiration, while conveying

affinity with clay.

searing social and political commentary. He

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has remarked that his 13 years in the police

and rippling water to convey a sense of

force occasionally emerge in the darker

open-mindedness.

side of his sculptures. Not all is as it seems;

Tsang, now 58, is a prolific creator, completing

beneath the serene facades, there is often

about a sculpture a week. He shares new

pain, tension and anguish.

work on his website as well as on Insta-

Open Mind, incorporates hand gestures and

gram and Facebook, where he shows works

metaphorical materials like growing leaves

in progress.

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Faces of CSI

TASKS, CHALLENGES AND FUN – just like PlayStation One thinks of PlayStation as light entertainment, something bored teenagers spend way too much time on when they ought to have their noses in books. Turns out it’s a lot more than that – as I discovered in chatting to Craig Cudita, donor support officer for JAM International.

Craig qualified in Business Sciences at UCT, majoring in Marketing Management, later attainJAM has been at the forefront of the war against

ing an Honours in Marketing Communication.

hunger in Africa since 1984, when founder Peter

With these qualifications he could have gone

Pretorius was left stranded in Pambarra, Mo-

anywhere, commanded the kind of salary we

zambique and witnessed the horrific effects of

expect in the commercial sector. But when he

malnutrition and starvation in rural communities.

heard of Peter Pretorius’ amazing life story and

He and his wife Ann committed their future to

the work JAM was doing, he knew that this was

joining the struggle to reduce hunger in Africa.

where he would be investing his time and energy.

Today JAM operates in South Africa, Angola,

He could not have found a better fit. JAM is a

Mozambique, Rwanda and South Sudan, and has

large and well-functioning NGO with decades of

made huge strides in a range of programmes,

experience in Africa, trusted by many regional

including nutritional school feeding, water and

governments for its integrity, practicality and the

sanitation, agriculture, school makeovers and

depth at which they engage with communities.

skills training.

Where does PlayStation fit into Craig’s life? I Craig, an energetic young pastor motivated by a

was surprised to find that such a passionate and

strong desire to follow God’s leading in his life,

motivated young guy enjoys electronic mayhem

joined the JAM team just under a year ago. His

in his spare time. His explanation

passion and enthusiasm for the work he does are

was revealing: ‘Most games on PlayStation have

palpable. Without passion and a love of people,

tasks and challenges which one must accomplish.

he says, you will not survive in the NGO sector,

There is always an aspect of competition and

because the obstacles are huge.

adrenaline in these games when you compete at the highest levels. Just like life! Life is about tasks, challenges, competition and fun. When you take this approach to the workplace, youwill enjoy it all and thrive at the same time.’

Well said. Does passion alone keep one motivated?

What about salary? I asked Craig what he thought about salary gradings in the NGO sector.

‘No, obviously salaries in the NGO sector are not what one might expect in the commercial sector. But it should be about the passion and the big idea of changing lives.’

Most who work in NGOs will recognise the truth in this – few go into NGO work to enrich themselves. It’s always something deeper – something ultimately far more satisfying. The

Faces of CSI

knowledge that one has changed a person, school,

specially formulated porridge that yields 75% of the

community or, in JAM’s case, a whole country for

macro- and micro-nutrients needed per child per day.

the better is in fact priceless.

Food is always their entry point into a community,

How long does Craig intend remaining in the sector?

but is never sufficient for lasting change – hence the emphasis on micro farming, irrigation and skills training. Sadly, JAM’s founder, Peter Pretorius, passed

‘As long as I can grow and learn. I intend to learn

away in August 2018, but the work continues, and is

as much as I can so that what I give continues to

in fact expanding rapidly due to the value added by

be of value.’

young, enthusiastic graduates like Craig.

Craig has already experienced the valleys of NGO work – the hard slog of keeping funders aware of

How will the CSI sector retain people like Craig?

their work and motivated enough to support it. He

NGO work is not easy and can be thankless. If we

also mentions the challenge of getting everyone –

as a society wish to keep the Craigs of the NGO

whether funder or community member – to become

world inspired, committed and engaged, we need

passionate about a project, to see its potential and

to raise the profile of this sector, according it the

to throw their weight behind it.

honour it is due. We need, also, to ensure that the work done by people like Craig is recorded, the

To date JAM feeds over 1,2 million children every

highlights and common pitfalls documented, so

day in Africa, with 120 000 meals a day distributed

that we have helpful information to pass on to the

in South Africa. Food comprises a nutrient-dense,

next generation of change agents.

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The Setlogane Manchidi Book Review Corporate Social Responsibility – a guide to creating a meaningful legacy The book at a glance

Do you care?

The book is a breeze to read; I start-

In one essential area I found the

ed it on Saturday and finished it

book’s analysis over simplistic. Mr

on Tuesday. What it slightly lacked

Manchidi holds that to produce

in structure it made up for in ease

excellent CSI work, its practition-

of reading and conversational

ers have to ‘care’. While I would

Many of you may know the name Setlogane

tone, dealing with issues in the

never dispute

Manchidi, the CSI manager for Investec whose

form of questions and answers.

the value of passion and commitment in what we do, I contend that

passion, flamboyance and excellence are legendary to those who have worked with him.

I was left wanting more. Mr. Manchi-

in the area of CSI, it is excellence,

I had the pleasure of attending the launch of

di’s insights confirm much of what

attention to detail, and compliance

Setlogane Manchidi’s book, Corporate Social

I already know – but then, I have

with legislation, not passion, that

Investment – a guide to creating a meaningful

worked in this sector for over fifteen

will ensure CSI gets done.

legacy. It was great to see so many supporters

years. For those new to the sector,

at the launch – I counted almost 200 people,

it’s a must read. It provides valuable

One might consider that there are

an indication that we value the contributions

inside information on CSI, linking his

three kinds of CSI managers; those

of fellow South Africans in this ever-evolving

observations to Investec’s own learn-

who care, those who tick the boxes,

area of corporate endeavour.

ing curve in social responsibility.

and those who neither care nor tick

Setlogane Manchidi is himself a recipient of

Expect to find tips on picking the

they have the qualification and enjoy

CSI, having studied as a beneficiary of the

right team, managing your strategy,

the money.

Study Trust. He has produced a fascinating

monitoring, evaluating and maxim-

139-page read, offering guidance to new

ising impact – all great topics and

These three make up the current

and experienced CSI managers on how to

essential considerations for anyone

value chain of CSI in South Africa.

conduct the business of CSI and avoid the

taking over the reins of a company’s

My experience is that organisations

common pitfalls.

CSI spend.

that ‘tick the boxes’ have far more

the boxes – they’re there because

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reach and sustainability than those

ments were instituted because the

fulfill, our CSI spend would have far

driven by people who ‘care’. Think of

company stood to benefit from a

greater impact than it currently does.

the SPCA; it has been going since

fantastic tender worth million or

1872. That’s 166 years. Passion and

billions and or the JSE demanded it

Objections notwithstanding, the

caring got it started, but it is ticking

for listed companies and so they had

book is a great read. Anyone who has

the boxes that sustains it. These

to get their ducks in a row fast. They

worked in the CSI sector for some

people know how-to do-good works

had to find a team and implement

years will recognise the issues the

with business-oriented systems. Mr.

systems that would comply with

author raises and will find Investec’s

Manchidi suggests that if you don’t

tender requirements. They don’t go

CSI journey fascinating, giving the

care, your endeavours are bound to

in search of people with a passion for

reader something with which to

fail. This may be the case for the

social justice – they need, in a word,

compare their own experiences.

individual embarking on a personal

skilled bureaucrats! These are the

mission, but for the corporate,

INTPs (introverted, intuitive, thinking

Books are not high priorities for most

harnessing the efforts of a small

and perceiving) of the Myers-Briggs

South Africans, to our detriment.

team, administrative skills may

personality scale – those who love

We need to read! And let’s put our

well trump caring.

complying with the law, who pay

money where our mouth is when it

attention to detail and excel at getting

comes to supporting local writers

on with the job.

with experience, knowledge and

Mr. Manchidi is critical of those who

insights we can learn from. As a

just ‘tick the boxes’; my view is that if only more CSI managers ticked

So, let’s have a much broader view of

testimony to the stature of the book,

the boxes, we’d be way ahead of

CSI and not take a dig at the manager

it carries a forward by Professor Jon-

where we are now. Caring is great,

who ticks boxes. Not everyone is a

athan Jansen, as well as by Investec

but let’s get the basics right. CSI is a

social justice warrior. It helps to have

Group former CEO, Stephen Koseff.

legal requirement – and to comply

a sense of responsibility for what

I consider the book a must-have,

with the law, you have to do cer-

we’re doing and some interest in the

marking a milestone in our uniquely

tain things, and do them properly.

final results – but if we could just get

South African experience of the role

CSI managers to fulfill the require-

of business in the development of

ments, they’re mandated by law to

our country.

Chances are that most CSI depart-

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Funders’ Round – The Making of a Champion When we launched Funders’ Round in

gratitude for the opportunity to scout out

2017, our aim was simply to bring together

new causes to fund. They had the budgets

five funders and about 50 NGO representa-

and were looking for worthy and reliable

tives so that the NGOs could learn how to

organisations. Gradually, more and more

pitch their funding proposals.

people signed up, and within weeks we were fully booked.

Running a conference of this nature was a departure for CSRNEWSSA, and we

We held the event in a packed room and

ventured into it with some trepidation.

were encouraged by results. Thanda After

Our impetus to do so came from the

Care in Durban walked away not only with

almost daily emails we received from both

the information they sought but a guar-

funders and recipients, some expressing

antee of the financial help they needed

frustration with the other party.

from a prominent funder. Others found themselves equipped to send out far more

‘Man,’ we thought, ‘these people are miss-

to-the-point, tailored funding applications.

ing each other.’

All spoke highly of the insights and value they had gained over the course of a day.

So we took the plunge and began organ-

In 2018 we held the event again, modest-

ising our first Funders’ Round. My words

ly aiming for twenty more seats. Again,

to the person tasked with getting it going

tickets sold out. Comments from all who

were, ‘This is an opportunity dressed in

attended were positive.

an overall. It’ll be hard work with, at this stage, little pay. But it could grow. Stick with it and let’s see.’

The Great Funders’ Conference 2019 Over the last few years it has become clear

At first things did not look promising.

that there are many, many more issues that

People were suspicious and we heard

need addressing in the CSI space. Funders

that some phoned each other, asking

and NGOs are still largely misaligned. Both

who we were and whether we could be

sides face challenges; many funders are

trusted. One organisation said that in the

not complying with legislation when it

past they’d paid for a conference run by a

comes to CSI spend, and many NGOs sorely

reputable-sounding organisation, which

lack the professionalism they need to get

took their money and was never heard

noticed, acquire decent funding and move

from again. They were now quite justified in their scepticism.

So responses to our phone calls and emails were slow at first, and we thought, OK, if this doesn’t happen, we’ll just refund those who’ve paid and continue as before with our normal line of work.

But things began to change. Bookings trickled in. It became obvious that funders and NGOs/NPOs needed to talk. The five funders who confirmed expressed

Faces of CSI

to the next level as organisations. There are questions around the role of corporate social investment and the future of this vital aspect of development in our country.

And so we come to The Great Funders’ Conference 2019, September 17 – 19. Our aim this year is to retain the Funders’ Round component and add to it, spreading discussions and input over three days. We have a great line-up of speakers, including ex-DA leader Tony Leon, author and activist, Size Mpofu-Walsh and author Setlogane Mancini. We’re expecting 200 attendees, with seats already filling up. One of our aims is to facilitate the raising of ZAR100 million towards worthy NGOs and NPOs over the next five to ten years.

Who should attend The Great Funders’ Conference?

Anyone involved in CSI, whether donor or recipient, should attend. That means CSI managers, NGO and

• Educate and inform NGOs so that your process of

NPO managers, industry experts, company execu-

selecting who and what to fund is made easier, more

tives, researchers and managing directors – anyone

streamlined and more effective.

with an interest in improving how the social sector raises and uses funds.

Why would we attend The Great Funders’ Conference?

As a funder

As an NGO or NPO • Learn directly from funders about their overall funding strategy.

• Learn what makes funders pick the programmes they do; what they look for, and how you can best position your programme to be noticed and appreciated

• Learn what the legislation says regarding CSI

(learn what is discussed in boardrooms).

according to BEE. Know the minimal requirements

• Get exposure to the bigger picture; gain insights

that you are mandated by law to fulfil. And know how

regarding the future of corporate support for the work

to implement the practical day to day steps that will

of NGOs and NPOs.

achieve these goals.

• Make valuable connections!

• Hear presentations from some of the most knowledgeable people in the field of social development in

We look forward to hosting you this year at our bigger,

South Africa, and participate in Iively discussions on

improved annual conference, The Great Funders’

the future of CSI.

Conference 2019. The time is ripe for a critical look at

• Get exposure to a host of new projects and pro-

the current state and future of CSI in South Africa –

grammes that are making appreciable differences in

and to a collaborative approach to solving some the

communities and deserve your support.

industry’s challenges.

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Who Wants To Make A Difference Anyway?

MAMAS Alliance is country-wide network

and strengthening collaborative efforts

of 33 reputable and autonomous grassroots

between all parties.

organisations, which provide structural and practical daily care to the most vulnerable

According to Ruth, all the NGOs of the MAMAS

members of society, with a focus on children

Alliance are run independently by ‘Mamas’

and youth. As Corporate Social Investment

(and some ‘Papas’) from within the commu-

Consultant and fundraiser for the alliance,

nity in which they’re situated. Each NGO

Ruth Butcher, 34, believes that helping others

receives annual funding from the MAMAS

gives her life purpose.

Alliance head office in the Netherlands, Kinderfonds MAMAS (KFM), and also enjoys the

MAMAS Alliance takes its work seriously; its

benefit of additional funding sourced by the

stated goal is to save vulnerable children and

South African MAMAS Alliance CSI Agency.

youth across South Africa from a hopeless

The operational costs of the CSI Agency are

future by providing them with a healthy,

covered by KFM, so that neither individual

safe and stimulating environment in which

funders nor the NGOs are burdened with

to develop. Ruth joined MAMAS Alliance in

this responsibility.

October 2016. Her focus areas include building

Ruth describes her job as rewarding, yet not

and maintaining relationships with funders

without its challenges.

who have a keen interest in the upliftment of children and youth in South Africa, ex-

‘It’s difficult to separate emotion from the pro-

panding the network of associated NGOs,

fession, because you are constantly dealing

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with the forgotten and discarded members of society,’ she says.

She adds that one of the lessons she has learned is to focus on long-term goals and outcomes and keep perspective when making decisions about funding. ‘It’s important to decide what’s ultimately best for the person, family and/or community, rather than making decisions based on what makes a person feel good in that moment.’

Focussing on quality rather than quantity can be strenuous.

‘Millions of South Africans are in dire need, and it’s not possible to help everyone, even though we would love to. In addition, we are dealing with individuals, who each have their own story and experiences. It’s important to treat people as individuals, not as numbers.’

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Although Ruth faces the harsh reality of trying to narrow the gap in inequality, she’s upbeat.

‘Only the people who think they can change the world ever have a chance of actually doing it, because they are crazy enough to try,’ she says. ‘I stay hopeful and keep believing that good things are possible and are happening, despite all the terrible things we are constantly exposed to. It’s important to focus on sharing more good news, instead of focusing on bad news all the time!’

Ruth is proud to say that every NGO in MAMAS Alliance has profoundly impacted on the lives of thousands of children and youth and continues to do so on a daily basis.

‘We as MAMAS Alliance believe that every child who enters our programme is a longterm, 15–20-year commitment. Each NGO aims to walk the path with each child in the programme, in the hope they can still become a happy and productive member of society in adulthood and escape the prison of poverty.’

Ruth, who lives with her partner, two dogs and three cats, says it’s important to keep your own cup full, so that you are better able to serve others. To recharge her batteries, she enjoys spending quality time with friends and family. She exercises regularly, unwinds with a good book and invests in self-development opportunities.

‘Self-awareness is vital, because you’ll never be able to create change in the world if you don’t start by changing yourself. I continually push myself to excel according to my abilities, and I focus on being the best version of myself each day.’

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Innovation entrepreneurship: our one hope for cutting unemployment With 400 000 new job seekers entering the

revamped, expanded and re-launched

South African market every year, we’re

as LiveWIRE 2, under Ntobeko’s guid-

hard pressed as a country to bring down

ing hand. While initially it focussed on

our unemployment figures – currently

entrepreneurship education, it now has

sitting at 27%, but closer to 37% if you

a strong business incubation side in

include those who’ve given up searching.

addition to its educational component.

Mopping up 400 000 people a year is an

Candidates for the programme go

impossible task for the formal economy;

through a rigorous acceptance proce-

growing entrepreneurial thinking is an

dure, but once in, are mentored every

absolute must if today’s learners are to

step of the way. Globally, the focus is on

stand a chance of economic survival.

energy solutions, supply chain integration and economic diversification. Small

When we talk entrepreneurship, we’re

businesses me tored by the programme

not talking ‘buying and re-selling’ – the

have blossomed from small, brilliant

go-to model for South African micro

ideas into flourishing businesses, some

businesses. We’re talking about the ability

employing hundreds of people.

to manufacture something new out of raw products, or the provision of unique,

Top LiveWIRE alumni go on to mentor oth-

excellent services. True entrepreneurship

ers, inspiring them with what is possible

means no longer being dependent on the

through hard work and excellent training.

ideas and resources of others.

‘Look at what’s been done in other counNtobeko Mogadime, Shell South Africa’s

tries: In Brazil, a small solar power com-

Social Investment Advisor, has good

pany is bringing electricity to low-income

reason to believe that Shell’s LiveWIRE

families; in the UK, Bio-bean fuels London

programme goes a long way to fulfilling

busses using coffee waste; also in the

the huge need for real entrepreneurial

UK, another small company developed

training in South Africa.

kinetic tiles that capture the energy left by footsteps and convert it into electricity.

‘LiveWIRE means a lot to me,’ says Ntobeko.

Right here in Gauteng, a LiveWIRE grad-

‘I’ve seen how Shell LiveWIRE has educated,

uate who runs a wellness programme

supported, and created jobs in almost every

that had struggled for five or six years

sector. I am personally vested in ensuring

has now been integrated into Shell’s own

the programme is a success and that the

supply chain and is flourishing.

businesses we mentor are sustainable.’

‘Nothing compares to the satisfaction of seeing once-struggling entrepreneurs

LiveWIRE started thirty-seven years

breaking through to the next level, running

ago in the UK and was brought to South

successful businesses and mentoring oth-

Africa in 1995. In 2014 the programme was

ers. It’s one of the reasons I love this job.’

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Three key strategies

‘In 2011 I took on role that seemed to have no

Overall, Shell’s approach to social investment

relation to my career aspirations or strengths

is to support programmes that align with both

at the time – Sales Support Manager. I had

the country’s needs and with Shell’s own core

zero experience in sales and yet had to re-

business. LiveWIRE forms one component of

structure the department and cut the staff

a three-pronged approach; youth enterprise

compliment by half. It was one of hardest

development, maths and science education

years of my career. It really tested my resil-

and road safety.

ience, but my self-awareness and confidence grew tremendously, and the role helped pave

Rally to Numeracy is a maths and science

the way for where I am today.’

programme that ‘educates the educator’ in neering and maths. It currently operates in

What are the qualifications needed in a field like Ntobeko’s?

five provinces. Shell has also adopted schools

‘I started out in accounting, I have an Honours

in Ekhurhuleni, providing broad support to

Degree in Accounting obtained from UKZN.

maths and science learners and bursaries for

As my interests developed, I added a Social

top performers – in addition to its national

Entrepreneurship

bursary programme.

Certificate from GIBS. An MBA is what I have

STEM subjects – science, technology, engi-

my sights on next, so that, should I choose to, Ntobeko chairs the Global Road Safety Part-

I can set up some kind of social development

nership, combining her financial acumen with

enterprise of my own.’

a passion for responsible road behaviour. The programme partners with many road safety NGOs in South Africa and across Africa and is beginning to see attitudes on the road changing – although in South Africa we still have a long way to go.

We asked Ntobeko to share some of the highlights and lowlights of her career at Shell – and to fill us in a little on Ntobeko Mogadime, the total person.

What has been her greatest highlight?

‘I’ve been able to follow my passion as a Social Investment Manager. That is key for me, as originally I joined Shell as an accountant. I got involved in the employee volunteering programme, became aware of Shell’s whole social investment side, and loved it. I then pursued a social entrepreneurship qualification at GIBS, was offered a temporary assignment as Social Investment Manager, and ended up moving into the role permanently through my performance.’

Lowlights? Struggles?

‘My greatest struggle has also been my greatest learning curve and what built me as a confident leader. So it was a lowlight and highlight in one.

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And now for the lowdown on Ntobeko Mogadime, the whole person:

Favourite meal: Has to be jege

Other interests: If I am not at home,

(steamed bread) and beans.

I’m in the pool at the gym with my kids. We love water like fish.

Favourite restaurant: Kream at Mall Age: 41.

of Africa. Their mouth-watering pork

If money were no object: I’d spend

ribs are to die for.

my time playing sports. I run daily and enter races – 10km, 21km or

Family: I had a brother, who tragically

42km. The high I get from running

passed away in a car accident in

is priceless. I’ve played netball, bas-

2004, leaving his daughter Balungile

ketball and soccer (outdoor and

Phakathi. She is my darling, and

indoor) and they all bring me joy.

recently started her degree at UKZN.

If I could, I’d attend every Orlando

I’m married to Ian Mogadime and

Pirates game, no matter where, no

we have two wonderful children,

matter when!

Ramodikwe and Kwanda.

If you weren’t doing what you do now Favourite movie: Coming to America.

you’d be: Running my own social

To this day I have the DVD and have

enterprise, doing good while applying

watched it so many times I know it

business principals and contributing

word for word.

to education in our country.

Favourite colour: Purple. All shades!

Role model and favourite quote:

It was even the theme colour for our

Madiba. He said, ‘Education is the

wedding.

most important tool to change the world’. It is true. I have used education

Favourite way to relax: Cutting the

to empower myself to where I am in

noise from social media, curling up

my career. If every child in our coun-

on the sofa at home and watching

try had access to quality education,

a movie. It’s those quiet weekends

we’d be a lot further ahead at ending

of doing nothing that I look forward

the scourge of poverty and inequality

to the most.

that still plagues our society.’

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Faces of CSI

Meet Graham. He might look a little different, but I assure you he’s human. Well, sort of.

The reason he looks this way is that he is a crash test dummy, designed with body modifications that would enable him to survive a serious car crash. With this dummy, the designers hope to show exactly how we’d need to look to survive the average car accident.

Graham was created as part of a new Australian road safety campaign by three people; a sculptor, a trauma surgeon and a road safety engineer. The result of their efforts isn’t a pretty sight, but it’s certainly a sobering one. As you can see, Graham doesn’t have a neck because these snap easily in car accidents. He has a flat, fleshy face to

Meet Graham, The Only Man Who Can Survive A Car Crash

protect his ears and nose. Also, if you’re wondering about all those extra nipples, they’re to protect his ribs, like a natural set of airbags. All these modifications are needed for a human body to survive a car crash.

No one would want to look like Graham. But we might want to consider slowing down behind the wheel to avoid looking worse – dead.

Graham’s brain is the same as yours, but his skull is bigger with more fluid and more ligaments to support the brain when a collision occurs.

Many people injured in car accidents receive fractures to their nose, damaging not only the bone but disrupting sinuses and the delicate parts behind the cheekbone. To combat this, Graham has a flat face. His nose is reduced and his ears are protected by the larger structure of his skull and neck.

In South Africa, many road accident involve pedestrians. Ours are onlywhen an impact occurs to the legs, the knees.

Faces of CSI

To combat this, Graham’s knees have movement in all directions.

When it comes to our necks, we lack the strength to stop the head from jolting forward in a crash. The forward motion causes a hyperflexion injury and the backward motion

(especially motorcyclists) are flung onto

causes a hyperextension injury. Simply put,

the tarmac. We have minimum protection

the neck is placed under more pressure than

between ourselves and the road, which is

its structure can manage.

why leather jackets are essential wear for motorcyclists.

The added danger is that if the spinal cord running through the neck bends and stretches

Graham was created to demonstrate human

too much, it breaks, causing serious injuries

vulnerability to road accidents. After viewing

like paraplegia or quadriplegia. To combat

him during his Australian road shown in 2017,

this, Graham’s neck is designed with a brace-

99% of viewers felt that the human vulnera-

like structure.

bility message had come across clearly, and 77% reflected on their own fragility in cars.

And take a look at those hoof-like feet! With

Graham has been the catalyst for conversa-

our many pedestrian accidents, we’d need feet

tions around the forces involved in common

like this to protect us from sudden threats,

car-crash scenarios. He highlights just how

enabling us to spring out of danger fast.

vulnerable our bodies are to high speeds – a

Injuries to the legs, feet, and ankles can

concept often complex and hard to communi-

cause long-term debilitation because we are

cate. We might not wish to look like Graham,

so reliant on them for everyday movement.

but we can do far more to ensure our safety

Our shins are the least protected bones

on the road – starting with buckling up.

in the body, with only a thin layer of skin covering them.

Graham’s skin is fortified with extra layers; much needed in accidents where motorists

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Faces of CSI

WONDERBAG

A recipe for change a weekly instead of daily chore. I have seen its effects; it really is a life changer.’

Sarah grew up in rural, apartheid-era South Sarah Collins is one of those rare people

Africa in the 1970s on a farm in KZN. It was

who have found their life’s purpose in a

there that Zulu women instilled in her a deep

simple, practical and specific activity that

sense of community and equality.

combines business with social justice. Look up the Wonderbag – it’s a simple cotton bag

‘I think I was born with the need to help others

filled with styrafoam chips; a non-electric,

and make things equal. At home, I never felt

heat retaining cooker that is, quite simply,

equal to the boys, so I was always looking for

revolutionising the lives of women in rural

ways to help other girls and women feel better

communities.

about their circumstances. It gave me a sense

‘Once food has been brought to the boil by

of belonging. My childhood inspired my life’s

conventional methods of gas, electricity or

work of empowering women who live below

fire, the Wonderbag’s insulation abilities

the poverty line, through grassroots efforts.’

continue to cook food for up to 12 hours, without the use of any additional energy

Sarah’s grandmother was a huge influence;

source. For rural women, this means that

Sarah describes her as hilarious, outspoken

the daily chore of seeking, cutting down and

woman, never apologetic about who she was

carrying home wood for cooking can become

and what she stood for.’

Faces of CSI

‘My grandmother unwittingly laid the groundwork for me to become the activist I am today.

She gave me strength and courage – and it was in her home that I first saw a cardboard box with cushions in it that she used for cooking food, after bringing it to the boil. That was the Wonderbox. Seeing it gave me my ‘lightbulb’ moment to create the Wonderbag.’

Passion is a word we hear a lot these days.

When you see true passion, it cannot fail to inspire. Sarah’s vision as creator of the Wonderbag goes far beyond making and selling this simple tool for saving fuel, time and money.

‘For me, the facts are simple. Poverty across the globe is getting worse. One billion people will never see a health worker in their lives.

Three billion people cook on open flames every day, which is killing them at the same

of affluent families in Africa, Europe and

time as feeding them. Today, globally, fewer

America because it is a practical way to

people have access to antiretroviral treatment

both cook and retain heat. This means that

than they did five years ago. Collectively,

family members eating at different times

the world seems to be failing when it comes

don’t warm food in the microwave; they

to providing health care, aiding refugees,

simply lift the top cushion, dip into the pot,

honouring human rights and fighting both

and replace the top cushion snugly so that

poverty and abuse against women.

the pot retains its heat. The Wonderbag’s

‘Did you know that 82% of girls in Africa are

slow, low-temperature cooking means that

raped while collecting firewood? That’s up

essential nutrients and juices, so often lost

from 62% in 2009! This means they’re not in

with conventional cooking, are retained.

school in order to get educated and change their circumstances.

For every Wonderbag sold around the world, a contribution is made to the Wonderbag

‘Deforestation and charcoal trafficking is at

Foundation, which puts more bags into the

its worst, with global warming and climate

hands of women who need them most.

change being the inevitable result. Fuel for cooking is running out in Africa and rhino

To date, Sarah has sold over a million Won-

poaching and the degradation of our natural

derbags globally. The former CEO of Unilever,

resources is at an all-time crisis.

the extraordinary Paul Polmon, is a fan; not only did he partner with Sarah’s company

‘As gloomy as all this sounds, I honestly be-

years ago, bundling the Wonderbag with one

lieve that with the right tools, resources and

of Unilever’s products, he also took a bag to

people in place, we can make a difference. I

the World Economic Forum in Davos to show

know now that the solution to our world’s

the world what a simple idea, replicated

challenges lie in creative, multi-pronged

globally, could do.

models that incorporate business, human philanthropy and kindness in action. We

‘For Unilever, partnering with us was good

have to do it. There is no other way to do

for their own business. It increased their

business in the world we live in.’

bottom line and cemented customer loyalty, showing in a very practical way what Unilever

Beautiful, efficient and nutritious

believes in. They demonstrated that doing

The Wonderbag is sturdily made, looks good,

good is good for business.’

and is increasingly found in the kitchens

Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister, was

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Faces of CSI

so impressed by the Wonderbag that he

but trust your gut. Value advice, but believe

asked Sarah to present the idea at the United

in your own instincts for your company and

Nations, where she explained the bag’s po-

your work! As women, we too easily override

tential to end deforestation, prevent diseases

our intuition about what’s best. Don’t be nerv-

related to smoke inhalation, save labour for

ous about making mistakes – just go for it.

Africa’s overworked women and save time,

• Grow slowly. Don’t take out debt funding;

thus getting girls back in school.

the stress and anxiety will be your undoing.

Jane Goodall, revered as one of the world’s

It always takes more money and more time

leading conservationists, is also a great sup-

than you think it will to reach your goals.

porter and friend to the Wonderbag.

Be patient.

• Don’t hide your mistakes. Shout them out

Having started the company in 2008, how has Sarah made such incredible progress in eleven years?

so you can learn from them and not repeat them. When you acknowledge mistakes and change, you grow.’

‘There is no rulebook. I have done it one bag, It really helps to have passion and purpose,

Sarah is both a business woman and a poverty activist.

because believe me, for every right move

‘I believe businesses and aid agencies can

you make, you’ll also make several mistakes

come together under a common cause

in the process. My public profile belies the

that the best business models of the future

blood, sweat and tears that go into an average

will sell responsible, solution-orientated

eighteen-hour day, seven days a week, month

products and services that can scale ethi-

after month, and year after year. Through

cally. Every woman in Africa is a potential

my years of experience, these are just a few

entrepreneur, but if they spend up to eight

words of advice I can give:

hours collecting firewood and water, and

• There are painful times to get through,

cooking, how can they ever have time to

one homestead, one community at a time.

Faces of CSI

earn an income or tend to their agricultural

every household, we’re seeing better health

land and sell produce?

in children, specifically fewer eye infections caused by smoke. We’re also seeing that

‘Africa needs economic stimulation in rural com-

when women have more time, they get to

munities to ease the burden on urbanisation. If we

take better care of their children and can

can allow women to take their rightful place as

start small-scale enterprises that have the

entrepreneurs and matriarchs of their homes, we

potential to uplift entire communities.’

will significantly shorten the gap to fill tummies, we’ll get children into school and allow girls the

Wonderbags are mostly sold through agents,

freedom to pursue the things they want to do.

but can also be found in outlets in KZN such as Outdoor Warehouse, Ballito Lifestyle Centre,

‘If you break it down, food is the basis of health.

and others. Also buy from the Wonderbag

So if money is saved in households due to in-

website: www.wonderbagworld.com

novations like the Wonderbag, then more food and better nutrition can be made available to

Prices vary, based on size and materials used,

children and families, which in turn eases the

and range from R255.00 – R900.00. Every

demands on healthcare systems.

bag bought has the effect of donating a bag to a household somewhere in Africa which

‘Through the use of the Wonderbag, we’ve proven

needs it and cannot afford it.

that a 90% reduction can be made in the use of there is the opportunity for regrowth and the

Sarah’s role model and favourite quote?

regeneration of the trees and natural resources

‘I am inspired by the women of Africa and

that local people are being forced to use to sur-

the common Zulu saying, ‘Alone we walk

vive. In communities where the Wonderbag is in

fast, but together we walk far.’

charcoal and wood for cooking. This means that

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Funders Round

2017/18

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