The Motsepe Foundation was founded in 1999 by Dr Patrice Motsepe and Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe to achieve the targets set by the Global Goals by investing in programmes that promote education, social justice, gender equality, and economic participation.

At the core of the Foundation’s community and policy work is the unwavering belief that transforming communities is the starting point for much-needed change to start reversing the effects of South Africa’s history of marginalising women, youth, and people with disabilities.

While the Foundation continues to invest in programmes and policies that correct these imbalances by promoting access to quality health care, education, and economic opportunities, there is an acute awareness that communities need to lead the way.

The Foundation launched National Forums in 2006 to engage directly with stakeholders in various communities across the country.

The forums are made up of members of representatives elected by each community as well religious and traditional leaders, NGOs, business leaders, and members of the private sector.

The inclusive approach comes from the awareness that communities, more than policy makers and development organisations, have a better understanding of the unique challenges they face and can therefore identify and co-create solutions that promote sustainable development.

Connecting community members

There are currently 26 development forums that identify projects that create jobs within the communities to alleviate poverty, promote education, and empower women and youth.

The Motsepe Foundation works with communities through its churches and anchor schools to identify projects that are aimed at refurbishing schools and churches with furniture and computers and upgrading sport facilities and playgrounds. 

To date, the Foundation has donated more than R33 million to 20 projects that have 222 beneficiaries.

The Motsepe family is one of the most prominent families in the country and throughout Africa. They started championing change and equality long before they launched their foundation. When she was still working as a general practitioner, Dr Moloi-Motsepe advocated access to quality health care and education.

The story of how their childhood communities, and later associates at various stages of their lives, helped them to reach their goals after humble beginnings has been told for more than a decade. 

Through their life story, South Africans from all walks of life are reminded that there is no dream that’s out of reach when you have a helping hand.

The principle of Ubuntu, the national value of South Africa, and Nelson Mandela’s motivation in his philanthropy, is first experienced in families and communities.

Ubuntu in action

The Motsepe Foundation has become this helping hand as a way to honour Tata Madiba and Mama Albertina Sisulu's legacies. The Foundation uses the national forums as an opportunity for Dr Motsepe and Dr Moloi-Motsepe to meet community members, and inspire them to reach for the stars.

School children get the opportunity to meet the Motsepe family, and community members are reminded that by lending a helping hand to each other, they can uplift themselves and help each other rise above circumstances that have traditionally kept them marginalised.

Bringing ordinary people closer to their heroes has seen the Motsepe Foundation partner with other organisations to help bring respected global figures within close reach to South Africans.

In May 2018, the Foundation hosted a soccer match between the Motsepe-owned premier soccer league team Mamelodi Sundowns and the Spanish Liga champions Barcelona. Soccer is the biggest sporting game in South Africa, and supported by millions of people who don’t have the privilege to travel outside the country to watch their international idols in action.

To mark Nelson Mandela’s centenary year, the Motsepe Foundation offered thousands of South Africans a rare opportunity to watch the likes of Lionel Messi play in their doorstep at the FNB Stadium.

The event was followed by the Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture in July, when former US president Barack Obama delivered a keynote address inspired by Tata Madiba’s quest for justice.

On 2 December 2018, South Africans will once again be reminded of the country’s ability to unite and speak with one voice when the Motsepe Foundation presents and hosts Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100.

It will feature superstars like Chris Martin, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Sho Madjozi, Cassper Nyovest, Wizkid, and D’ Banj. The event will be headlined by Beyoncé and JAY-Z.

The night will be a culmination of Global Citizen’s year-long #BeTheGeneration campaign that has rallied ordinary people, policy makers, dignitaries, and business leaders behind the campaign to end extreme poverty by 2030.

As with other public events hosted by the Motsepe Foundation, Global Citizens do not have to buy tickets. Instead, they have taken online and offline actions that promote the Global Goals to stand a chance of winning a ticket to the event.

Collectively, these events remind South Africans that, “Yes, we can, and yes, I can,” as Dr Moloi-Motsepe said, quoting President Obama at a national forum in Mabopane in Pretoria.