Our Founder Mrs. Graça Machel and Interim CEO and Board of Trustees member, Theo Sowa, attended the 5th Annual African Philanthropy Conference held at Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, from July 29th to August 2nd, 2024. Themed ‘The Next Frontiers of African Philanthropy,’ this conference highlighted a critical moment in the evolving philanthropic landscape across the continent.
Mrs Machel was celebrated as a liberation movement fighter and stateswoman whose life’s mission has seen her uplift the lives of women, children and communities across Africa and globally.
As a Guest of Honour and the 2022 recipient of the African Philanthropy Lifetime Achievement Award, Mrs Machel formally accepted her award in person this year. The award recognises significant contributions to African philanthropy and is given to individuals who have greatly influenced the sector’s growth, practice, and understanding, academically and non-academically, and mentored its leaders and practitioners. The 5th edition of the award was hosted by the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) in collaboration with Trust Africa, The Africa Philanthropy Forum, the Africa Philanthropy Network, the East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN), and Southern Africa Trust.
I her acceptance speech she emphasised the resilience and ingenuity of the African continent: “When I think about the thousands of individuals we’ve worked with since I left government—many of whom are no longer with us, and some who lack the opportunity to stand before you today—I ask you to see in me the faces and hear the voices of those who have committed themselves to make a difference. That’s all we did, make a contribution.”
She continued, highlighting the dual nature of celebrating achievements while acknowledging ongoing challenges: “We also learned in this journey that it is important to stop sometimes and look back and celebrate—but a celebration is simply a moment of infusing in ourselves, more is self-confidence [affirming] that we have done it and can do more. We have to look at the challenges we still face and say —there is something to celebrate, but the challenges are bigger than what we have achieved so far,” she added.
Her participation made the event especially memorable, marked by a special Ignite Talk during which she engaged in a profound conversation with Theo Sowa. Mrs. Machel shared valuable lessons from her decades of work in development and philanthropy and her insights into the future of philanthropy and social investment.
Mrs Machel and Theo Sowa during the Ignite Talk
Mrs. Machel also illuminated the intrinsic role of philanthropy in African society, which she argued is not an imported concept but a fundamental aspect of the continent’s ethos. She cited the Foundation for Community Development—a Mozambican philanthropic organisation she founded—as a testament to Africa’s longstanding tradition of organised philanthropy.
“Mrs. Machel’s visionary leadership has not only transformed countless lives across the continent and the world but has also set new standards in philanthropic investments. Here’s to celebrating her legacy and continued success in creating a brighter tomorrow “– Leila Akahloun, Senior Advisor to Mrs Graça Machel.
Watch Mrs Machel speak during the acceptance of the award
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.