Deep-pocketed South Africans donated approximately R6 billion to charitable causes last year, with a significant shift in the profile of givers. The Nedbank Private Wealth Giving Report, which tracks philanthropic gestures by affluent South Africans, found that over 72,000 rich individuals contributed to causes they care about. This total comprised R2.9 billion in cash and R2.9 billion in goods. The report highlights a growing trend of philanthropy in South Africa.
The data shows that women and black South Africans now represent the largest share of givers. Women comprised 55% of givers, while more than half were black for the first time in the study's history. Additionally, over a third of givers were under the age of 40, indicating a younger and increasingly dynamic cohort of philanthropists. This shift signals a changing story of giving in South Africa, one that is broader, more diverse, and more reflective of lived experience.
Religious beliefs continue to play a dominant role in philanthropic decision-making, with 60% of respondents stating that concern about causes and their religious beliefs influenced their giving behaviour. Education, care for the elderly, orphans, health, and animal welfare were listed as the main areas the affluent give their money to. In contrast, politics and arts and culture were largely shunned. Respondents prioritized causes that they could relate to directly.
The report also found that giving remains strongly local, with most respondents supporting causes in their current province of residence and in their province of origin. This reinforces the importance of personal connection in philanthropic decisions. People tend to give where they live, where they come from, where their faith community operates, or where need is visible and immediate.
While the data shows that political parties were less prioritized, some wealthy South Africans have donated millions to political parties over the years. Notable donors include Capitec co-founder Michiel le Roux, Harmony chair Patrice Motsepe, members of the Oppenheimer family, and venture capitalist Martin Moshal. Their contributions highlight the complex landscape of philanthropy in South Africa.
Philanthropies play a crucial role in addressing the challenges of youth unemployment, with many supporting interventions in education, training, and skills development. According to Najwah Allie-Edries, head of the jobs fund at the National Treasury, philanthropies can help build evidence, partnerships, and institutional capacity that enable sustainability and scale. Flexible funding models allow for early-stage risk, experimentation, and agility.
The Nedbank Private Wealth Giving Report highlights a significant surge in charitable giving in South Africa, driven by women, high-net-worth black South Africans, and people under 40. The report's findings suggest a shift towards a more diverse and inclusive approach to philanthropy. With R6 billion donated to charitable causes, the affluent are making a substantial impact on the lives of many South Africans.
Key points
- Women and black South Africans now represent the largest share of givers in South Africa.
- The affluent donated approximately R6 billion to charitable causes last year.
- Philanthropies play a crucial role in addressing youth unemployment through education and skills development initiatives.
