Masana wa Afrika commits to community empowerment and sustainable development

Masana wa Afrika, a newly established non-profit foundation, announced its launch this week, aiming to strengthen community-led initiatives across Africa.
The event at Sandton Hotel saw participation from community-based organisations across 13 African countries, including Hi Hopes from Parktown, which supports hearing-impaired children and their families.

Initially funded by Delta Philanthropies and The Elma Foundation, Masana wa Afrika focuses on long-term change by supporting African community organisations through multi-year unrestricted grants and capacity-strengthening support. “Masana wa Afrika recognises African communities’ inherent potential and resilience,” said director Ruth Mapara. “Sustainable development is achieved when communities drive change from within. We are dedicated to providing necessary support to help African children and communities thrive.”

Hi Hopes, highlighted at the launch, provides home-based support for families with hearing-impaired infants and toddlers. Supported by Masana wa Afrika and Elma, Hi Hopes aims to help children reach their full potential through culturally sensitive early intervention, involving bi-weekly visits from interventionists and ‘deaf mentors’.

Masana wa Afrika’s model of trust-based philanthropy emphasises long-term relationships with local leaders. By offering multi-year grants and capacity-building support, the foundation ensures community-based organisations can deliver essential services such as early childhood development, child nutrition, support for children with disabilities, economic empowerment, psychosocial support, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

The foundation’s approach is rooted in proximate leadership and local ownership. Teams in South Africa and Uganda work closely with grantee organisations, supporting them in creating sustainable advancements for their communities. “By investing in proximate leadership and supporting locally-led initiatives, we can unlock the full potential of African communities and create lasting change in the lives of children and their families.”

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