Located at Wits Business School in Johannesburg, South Africa, The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) was established to bridge the gap in the study, research, and practice of philanthropy and social investment in Africa. The Centre, the first of its kind in Africa, has been structured to promote social change by building a culture of effective giving and corporate social and civic responsibility.
CAPSI has recently launched Africa’s first journal focusing on philanthropy on the continent called ‘The International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment’, an interdisciplinary international journal that will feature wide perspectives and research on philanthropy and social investment.
Global interest in the field of philanthropy and social investment in Africa and continents outside of Euro-America keeps growing exponentially. Recent years have seen a considerable increase in research and writings related to these topics. Despite this, the study of these fields is in a nascent stage, with very little formal academic research, teaching, and publications available in Africa.
It was in response to this lack of dedicated, formal academic focus in 2014, the Southern Africa Trust and the University of the Witwatersrand collaborated to establish the first Chair on African Philanthropy drawing insights and lessons from researchers, think tanks, academics, foundations, NGOs and private sector practitioners from across Africa and beyond. Consultative meetings were held with various stakeholders resulting in a curriculum and research agenda that are shaped by various Pan-African and international perspectives.
The Chair on African Philanthropy was the first step in the journey towards setting up the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment. The Centre has been established among other things to teach, research, and train on philanthropy in Africa in general and African Philanthropy in particular. CAPSI houses several initiatives such as research fellowships, executive courses, Ph.D. seminars, an annual conference, and summer school among others.
The Centre aspires to build a new cadre of African experts, researchers, and academics in African Philanthropy, Social Investment, and related disciplines; serving as a source of knowledge, a cultivator of partnerships, and a catalyst for innovation and community engagement.
This article was curated using excerpts from the CAPSI website.
Great initiative. Interested in studying the philosophical elements of philanthropy & how they relate, if any, with Ubuntu.