As was highly anticipated, the radical ideological shifts in the global north - the United States of America (USA) in particular, has resulted in significant reductions in financial support towards Africa.
In what is commonly referred to as dependency theory in several social sciences studies, Africa has since the post-colonial era been reliant on the benevolence of Western countries on account of the historical injustices.
Aid to Africa has, however, not been presented neither as a restitutive measure or a transactional act in return of goodwill and/or resources but as an act of philanthropy.
Indeed, Africa has benefitted from the philanthropic acts of Western governments, organisations and influential individuals.
The cumulative support across sectors including health, food security, education, women's empowerment and human rights cannot be overstated. And is indeed appreciated.
However, the political developments that have seen a rise of right wing governments hostile to Africa and broadly to the concept of philanthropy calls for Africa to introspect and harness local philanthropy.
The closure of the USAid and exit of Swedish embassies in some African countries serves as a wakeup call on governments and civics alike on how local philanthropy can plug in the vacuum that the withdrawal of this support has resulted in.
Beyond governments, traditional western philanthropic organisations and individuals are reducing support and/or restructuring.
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But does this mean it is all doom and gloom?
Well, to the individual whose mindset of philanthropy and development work is that of a "donor" from the West, it may well be game over.
Well, perhaps until yet another radical shift in the Western governments’ foreign policies.
But for the discerning African, this is the beginning of a journey that has always been in motion, but yet underreported. The journey towards self-sustenance and harnessing African philanthropy.
African philanthropy is not a new phenomenon. It is the essence of our being.
The Ubuntu spirit anchored on the belief that they exist only to the extent of the existence of others.
A philosophy that says one can only be well only when others are well.
African philanthropy has taken many shapes and forms and has been central to the development of the continent.
However, these acts of philanthropy have been underreported and have rarely found expression in the public sphere.
The African Philanthropy Network (APN), a membership based organisation of like-minded institutions and individuals has been carrying out various interventions to shift Africa's mindset towards harnessing the potential of African philanthropy.
One such intervention, is the support extended to the media — as coordinated by the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) through their journalistic networks in southern Africa to document success stories of local philanthropy.
The intervention, which brought together journalists and media professionals from Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe sought to highlight success stories of local philanthropy and to name and fame prominent African philanthropists that are otherwise not commonly celebrated.
This pilot intervention, whose impact is expected to influence public and policy dialogues on philanthropy in Africa, is part of a broader media strategy to raise public awareness on the value of African philanthropy.
Interesting success stories were covered in these countries ranging from locally organised interventions to huge support by influential individuals.
In Botswana, there was focus on how communities come together when one is bereaved.
Anchored on the Batswana philosophy that "no matter the size of the gift, one must show gratitude", the story focussed on a locally driven philanthropic act known as Letlharapana to harness resources for a colleague's decent burial.
Another Batswana's act of philanthropy covered was an initiative called the "War room" led by Omogolo Nkogogelang, a prominent individual that brought together seven hundred (700) community members in raising funds to support the needy.
In Malawi, a media and development practitioner Stanley Kenani led a Covid Response by Private Citizens (CRPC) based on a Facebook call that rallied together US$250 000 towards the most vulnerable.
Persons with disabilities in Lesotho have been beneficiaries of the Rotary Club in an intervention aimed at restoring "dignity through mobility" through the supply of wheelchairs.
The SMF Foundation in Lesotho as spearheaded by James Motlatsi and Sam Matekane has been instrumental in the health and education sectors.
In Zambia digital technologies have been used to harness the Zambian diaspora to support local philanthropic interventions, including those of upscaling the education levels of the local populace.
Prominent Zimbabweans Evelyn Kachirekwa, popularly known as Mai Kachirerekwa and Smelly Dube have been undertaking high end community developmental projects that have largely been underreported.
Mai Kachirerekwa as an example lit up an entire community through the provision of a transformer.
On the other hand, Dube in a partnership with her husband through their S&M Foundation have contributed immensely to the country's health sector albeit with minimum publicity.
The stories covered with support from APN under this pilot intervention are just but a tip of the iceberg.
African philanthropy is alive and it lies not just in resources — but also in relationships, innovation and unique ways that have been driving development.
Governments and civics should celebrate African philanthropy and take measures to ensure that it is not only celebrated but also sustained.
*Nigel Nyamutumbu is a media development practitioner serving as the coordinator of a network of journalistic professional associations and media support organisations the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ).
He sits in the heads of Civic Society Coalitions forum in Zimbabwe and has worked to defend freedom of expression, digital rights and access to information in southern Africa. He can be contacted on [email protected] or +263 772 501 557
