With all the coverage regarding the Motsepe family and David Beckham pledging their earnings to philanthropy, one has to wonder whether these are rare displays of generosity and magnanimity – or are South Africans actually actively involved in philanthropy?

Investing in South Africa's youth and paying particular attention to their skills development is key to the country's future economic growth, says President Jacob Zuma.

It has recently been revealed that the department of social development is struggling to monitor whether children receiving social grants are, in fact, attending school.

Those of us who work with non-profit organisations or NPOs on a daily basis, know that the sector is facing, perhaps, its most serious funding challenge since the end of apartheid – some are even calling it a crisis.  

For 20 years, the Amy Biehl Foundation has been working toward a better South Africa. August will mark 20 years since the death of Amy Biehl, and will be an appropriate date to reflect on the past two decades in South Africa, and look toward the next two.