A Legacy of Commitment
While the Ford Foundation’s office in Johannesburg has been operating since the 1990s, our commitment to South Africa dates back to the 1950s, when early convenings documented and exposed the devastating impacts of apartheid. Today, the initiatives supported by Ford’s Office of Southern Africa focus on bridging the gap between the democratic ideals of dignity, equality, and justice and the daily realities of the historically excluded communities living there. I am deeply grateful to our regional director, Vuyiswa Sidzumo, and her dedicated team for an exceptional trip.
Hope and Reconciliation
I have learned so much about the South African Constitutional Court across my legal career, so being able to tour it firsthand was inspiring. The court’s physical transformation from a former prison into a hall of justice is a testament to the country’s resilience and dedication to reconciliation.
Over the years, the Ford Foundation has proudly partnered with the Constitutional Court Trust, supporting core initiatives such as its art collection projects and legal exchange programs.
Defending Human Rights
During our visit to the Legal Resources Centre, one of Ford’s longest-standing partners in the region, it was an honor to meet with Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo, alongside several public interest law grantees. It was meaningful to hear their reflections on how South Africa can convert the promise of its constitution into a reality for its people.
Democratic Roots and Governance
I spent a moving afternoon at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, including touring the archives with board chair Naledi Pandor and CEO Mbongiseni Buthelezi, which deepened my perspective on South Africa’s democratic roots. Meeting with Ford global fellow Noncedo Madubedube and leaders from Ford grantees the Sivio Institute and Act Ubumbano offered a powerful look at the future of democracy and governance across the region.
Strengthening Collaborative Philanthropy
At a philanthropy breakfast in Johannesburg with Michael Mapstone of the Anglo American Foundation and cohosted with the Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa, we discussed how funders can work together on challenging complex systemic issues.
A Conversation With Albie Sachs
Meeting with Albie Sachs, the distinguished lawyer and former justice appointed by Nelson Mandela to the first bench of the Constitutional Court, was an extraordinary privilege. To hear directly from a true titan of constitutional law—someone who helped in the building of South Africa’s democracy—was profoundly moving. A deeply inspiring reminder of what the law can achieve at its very best.
A Just Transition
Our site visits to Grootvlei and Genadendal brought the concept of a “just transition” to life. In Mpumalanga, the Grootvlei Power Station demonstrated that moving away from coal requires creating new economic opportunities for workers.
In Genadendal, we saw how climate change, land rights, and gender-based violence are deeply interconnected, and why addressing them together is essential for a lasting community change.
A Renewed Vision
This visit reaffirmed that collaboration is at the core of our impact. My time in South Africa experiencing the dedication of our grantees and local partners has deeply inspired me and reinforced my commitment to our shared goal of upholding the rule of law and building an equitable future for all.
