Meet Masana wa Afrika! A new Dose of Hope for African Children

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A new non-profit is bringing hope to African children and their families across challenges they face! Meet Masana wa Afrika:

Africa (6 June 2024) – Masana wa Afrika which means “the warmth of the sun embraces Africa” in Xitsonga, is a newly established African nonprofit foundation that has officially launched! With a mission to support and amplify African community-based organisations serving the needs of children and their families, Masana wa Afrika aims to drive lasting change throughout the continent, including South Africa.

Recognising that community leaders themselves are the experts best positioned to determine how funding can be most effectively utilised, Masana wa Afrika currently provides multi-year unrestricted grants alongside capacity-strengthening support to 115 organisations in 13 African countries, with plans to expand over the coming years.

These organisations offer a wide range of essential services that would otherwise be unavailable to children and families in their communities, including:

Early childhood development programs
Child Nutrition
Support for children with disabilities
Economic empowerment opportunities
Psychosocial support
HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services

Masana wa Afrika’s approach to philanthropy centres on forging long-term relationships with proximate leaders; acknowledging the importance of local ownership, cultural sensitivity, and community-driven solutions in driving development in Africa. Its South Africa and Uganda-based team works closely with each grantee organisation, supporting them as they create and implement sustainable, long-term advancements for their communities.

“Masana wa Afrika recognises the inherent potential and resilience of African communities,” said Ruth Mapara, Director of Masana wa Afrika.

“Our foundation is built on the belief that sustainable development can only be achieved when communities are empowered to lead and drive change from within. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support and resources to help African children and communities thrive.”

Adds Tsitsi Masiyiwa, the non-profit’s Board Member and Delta Philanthropies Board Chair:

“Masana wa Afrika is trust-based philanthropy in action…The organisations supported by the foundation are embedded in the communities they serve, making them expertly placed to design and deliver solutions that work for them. The more support we give them, the greater impact they can achieve.”

Masana wa Afrika’s initial funding partners are Delta Philanthropies and The ELMA Foundation.

“Together we can ensure that community-based organisations have sufficient resources to enable children and youth in Africa to succeed.” — Ruth Mapara.

Here are the SA Organisations Masana wa Afrika is Supporting:

Bizweni Centre – Supporting children living with disabilities
Breede Valley Association for Persons with Disabilities – Support to children living with disabilities
Butterfly Art Project – Art therapy for children who have experienced trauma
Childsafe South Africa – Children safety training, improved road and school zone safety
Dlalanathi – Play therapy and psychosocial support for children and families experiencing trauma
Enlighten Education Trust – Literacy and numeracy skills for children
Feed the Babies – Nutritional support to ECD centres
Hantam Community Education Trust – Early childhood education and schools from Grade R-9 to children living on farms
Hi Hopes – Early intervention support to hearing impaired children and their families
Isibani Sethemba – Child protection and health services
Kliptown Youth Program (KYP) – After school educational, psychosocial, and nutritional support
Kuyasa Horizon Empowerment – Early childhood education
Lesedi Educare Association – Integrated early childhood development
Malamulele Onward – Therapy to children living with cerebral palsy
MusicWorks – Early childhood development and music therapy
Net Vir Pret – After school, weekend, and homework clubs, skills training
The Rachel Swart Fund – Provision of mobility and assistive devices for children living with disabilities
Uhambo Foundation – Manufacturing, distribution and training on the use of posture support devices for children living with disabilities
Refugee Children’s Project – Supports the integration of refugee children and their families in communities in their country of asylum
Siyakwazi – Specialised early childhood education programs for children living with disabilities and their caregivers
Thanda – Early childhood education
Western Cape Forum for Intellectual Disability – Training and mentorship for those living with intellectual disabilities
Westlake United Church Trust – Early childhood education
Woza Moya -Early childhood education and community health support
Ububele – Therapeutic mental health care services and early childhood education