Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation
- R700 million have been invested
- Partnered with Anglo American Platinum
- Operates as a non-profit
[Accessed July 27, 2023]
About Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation was established in 2004 with the mission of contributing to the creation of a just and equitable South African society. The foundation aims to empower individuals, particularly those who are disadvantaged, through education, youth empowerment, health interventions, and rural development initiatives. While the foundation aims to support and uplift communities, including small businesses, it primarily focuses on social impact projects rather than offering business grants directly.
Named after South Africa's current president, Cyril Ramaphosa, the foundation has become one of the country's leading non-profit organisations.
The importance of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation in South Africa
The impact of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation cannot be overstated in a country where poverty and inequality remain pervasive issues. With high levels of unemployment and limited access to quality education and healthcare services in many regions, the foundation's work has become even more crucial.
By providing support to vulnerable communities through various programs and initiatives that focus on education, youth development, health interventions, and rural development projects. The foundation seeks to bring about meaningful change that can improve people's lives.
Over time, these efforts have helped create a ripple effect throughout various communities across South Africa as beneficiaries develop new skills that allow them to secure better-paying jobs or even start their own businesses. This approach is not only beneficial for individuals but also for society as a whole as it helps reduce poverty rates while increasing economic growth.
A brief overview of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation
There are several initiatives under the umbrella of The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation - Adopt-a-School, Education Trust Scholarships & Bursaries Programmes (ETSBP), Letsema-Youth Development Enterprise (Letsema-YDE) Programme; both focusing primarily on youth; Black Umbrellas focusing on SMMEs support; Kagiso Shanduka Trust which focuses on Early Childhood Development (ECD); Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation Rural Education Intervention Programme and SANAC Trust (South African National AIDS Council). Each initiative focuses on a specific area of need but all share the overall goal of creating a more just and equitable society.
The foundation's approach is one of collaboration, working with both public and private sector stakeholders to ensure that its programs are effective, sustainable, and impactful. By leveraging partnerships with other organisations in South Africa, the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation has been able to reach more people in need while also fostering support for its mission among a diverse range of stakeholders.
Overall, the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation has become a powerful force for social change in South Africa. Through its efforts to empower vulnerable communities through education, youth development, health interventions, and rural development initiatives, it is helping create a brighter future for all South Africans.
Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation Services
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation was established in 2004 by Cyril Ramaphosa, a prominent South African businessman, activist, and politician. The foundation operates as a non-profit organisation that aims to improve the lives of marginalised communities in South Africa through various programs and initiatives.
Ramaphosa's vision for the foundation was inspired by his own experiences growing up in a disadvantaged community and his belief that education could be a powerful tool for social change. Since its inception, the foundation has evolved significantly to incorporate different areas of focus such as youth empowerment, health, and rural development.
Goals and objectives of the Foundation
The primary goal of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation is to contribute to the development of South Africa's social landscape by providing opportunities for disadvantaged communities to improve their socio-economic status. To achieve this goal, the foundation has set out objectives that guide its operations:
- To provide access to education for underprivileged students through scholarships, bursaries, mentorship programs - To empower young people with skills for employability through entrepreneurship programs
- To promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention through health initiatives - To support infrastructure development in rural areas through agricultural support
The foundation also aims to foster partnerships between government agencies, corporate entities, non-profit organisations, and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of its programs. Through these partnerships and collaborations with various organisations across different sectors of society, the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation seeks to maximise its impact on South Africa's social development landscape.
Programs and Initiatives
Education: Scholarships, bursaries, and mentorship programs
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation is committed to promoting access to quality education in South Africa. As such, the foundation offers scholarships and bursaries to deserving students from disadvantaged communities who have demonstrated academic excellence.
In addition to financial support, the foundation also provides mentorship programs to help students develop their full potential. The program identifies individuals with leadership potential and assists them in developing their skills so that they can become future leaders of society.
Youth Empowerment: Skills development, entrepreneurship programs
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation recognises that young people are key drivers of economic growth in South Africa. To that end, the foundation runs a number of youth empowerment programs aimed at developing skills and promoting entrepreneurship among young people. These range from vocational training initiatives aimed at equipping young people with the necessary technical skills for employment or self-employment, to entrepreneurship programs designed to help aspiring businesspeople start or grow their own businesses.
Health: HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment initiatives
South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection in the world, with millions living with the disease. The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation is committed to fighting this epidemic through its various health initiatives. These include HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns aimed at raising awareness about ways of preventing infection as well as treatment programs designed to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Rural Development: Infrastructure development, agricultural support
Rural development is crucial for achieving social equity and economic growth in South Africa. The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation recognises this fact and runs various rural development initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure development, agricultural support as well as overall socio-economic conditions for rural communities across South Africa. These projects include building schools, providing water and sanitation facilities, as well as promoting sustainable agriculture practices that help rural communities improve their food security and livelihoods.
Impact on Society
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation has made a significant impact on South African society since its establishment. By providing education, skills development, health services, and rural development support to underprivileged communities, the foundation has helped to improve the lives of thousands of people.
Success Stories of Beneficiaries
The foundation's programs have produced numerous success stories over the years. For instance, through its scholarships and bursaries program, the foundation has given opportunities to deserving students who would otherwise be unable to afford tertiary education. One such beneficiary is Sibongiseni Mkhize, who was able to study law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal thanks to a Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation bursary.
In addition to education support, the foundation's entrepreneurship programs have helped many young people start their own businesses and become financially independent. An example is Nkosinathi Zikalala who participated in the Sekunjalo Youth Competition that was funded by Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation and started a successful landscaping business.
Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation – Business Grant
- Loan Type Business Grants
Benefits of Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation
- Focuses on education, youth empowerment, health interventions, and rural development.
- Operates various programs and initiatives.
- Collaborates with government, corporations, and non-profits.
- Expands education, youth empowerment, and rural development programs.
- Launches new initiatives to address emerging societal needs.
- Provides access to education for underprivileged students.
- Empowers youth with skills for employability and entrepreneurship.
- Promotes HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment.
- Supports rural development and infrastructure.
- Has a significant impact on beneficiaries and communities.
- Leverages partnerships for greater resources and expertise.
- Continuously evolves to meet emerging societal needs.
Statistics on the impact of the Foundation's Programs
The impact of Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation's programs can be seen in various indicators such as academic achievement rates among beneficiaries and job creation numbers in supported communities. For instance:
In 2019 alone, 94% of beneficiaries from one scholarship program attained a pass rate above 50% in their final exams.
Another initiative aimed at supporting smallholder farmers led to an increase in yields by up to 20% for some beneficiaries within two years. In total over years history more than R700 million have been invested which resulted into more than half-million beneficiaries across all programmes.
These statistics demonstrate the significant impact of the foundation's work and its importance in advancing social and economic development in South Africa.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Government Partnerships
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation has established strong partnerships with various government departments in South Africa. These partnerships enable the foundation to leverage government resources and expertise to support its programs.
For example, the foundation's rural development programs have received support from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, which has provided access to funding for infrastructure development projects. The foundation has also partnered with the Department of Education to provide mentorship programs for teachers in disadvantaged schools.
Corporate Partnerships
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation has formed strategic partnerships with various companies in South Africa. These partnerships enable the foundation to access corporate resources such as funding, skills, and networks to support its initiatives.
For example, Anglo American Platinum has partnered with the foundation's education program by providing financial support for scholarships and bursaries for learners from disadvantaged communities. The foundation has also formed a partnership with MTN Foundation that focuses on youth empowerment through entrepreneurship training and support.
Non-profit Partnerships
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation recognises the importance of collaboration among non-profit organisations in achieving social impact at scale. As a result, it collaborates with other non-profit organisations that share similar goals and objectives.
For instance, the foundation partners with Ikamva Youth, a non-profit organisation that provides academic support and mentorship for high school learners from underprivileged backgrounds. The collaboration between these two organisations enables them to reach more learners through joint programs such as after-school tutoring sessions.
Overall, partnerships are critical for successful implementation of Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation's initiatives. Through these partnerships, it can leverage diverse resources including financial capital human capital , technology as well as networks of experts which are important components required to achieve long-term social impact at scale in South Africa.
Future Plans and Vision
Expansion plans for existing programs
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation is committed to the continued growth and development of its existing programs. The foundation aims to expand its education initiatives by increasing the number of scholarships and bursaries awarded to deserving students.
In addition, the foundation plans to expand its youth empowerment programs by providing increased support for skills development and entrepreneurship initiatives. The foundation also intends to enhance its efforts in rural development by increasing infrastructure investments and expanding agricultural support services.
New initiatives to address emerging societal needs
In addition to expanding its current programs, the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation recognises the need for new initiatives that address emerging societal needs. One major area of focus is climate change and environmental sustainability.
The foundation intends to launch new projects that promote sustainable living, reduce carbon emissions, and protect vital natural resources. Another area of focus is mental health, as South Africa grapples with a rising incidence of mental illness among young people.
The foundation plans to develop new initiatives that raise awareness about mental health issues, provide support services for those in need, and work towards destigmatising mental illness in society at large. Overall, the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation has ambitious goals for the future as it seeks to continue making a positive impact on South African society through education, youth empowerment, health promotion, rural development, environmental sustainability, and other key areas of focus.
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation has had a significant impact on South Africa's social development landscape through its various programs and initiatives. It has provided access to education for disadvantaged youth, supported rural development, empowered the youth through skills development and entrepreneurship, and contributed to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. The foundation's success stories are a testament to the impact it has had on individuals and communities.
The foundation's partnerships with various stakeholders have also played a crucial role in its success. Its collaborations with the government, corporations, and non-profits have allowed it to reach more people and make a greater impact.
Looking forward, the foundation is set to expand its existing programs while also implementing new initiatives that will address emerging societal needs. This bodes well for South Africa's future as the foundation continues to empower individuals and communities towards achieving their full potential.
The Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation is an exemplary model of how impactful public-private partnerships can lead to positive changes in society. Its efforts towards social upliftment have not gone unnoticed, and it continues to inspire others to follow suit in contributing towards building a better world for all.
Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation Contact
Physical Address
- South Africa
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Opening Hours
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