Most impact work starts with good intentions, but good intentions are not enough to change a community.
In this episode of the Durban Small Business Podcast, Luke Holden has a conversation with Warren Farrer, the CEO and Trustee of the Do More Foundation, to explore how a corporate social investment initiative inside RCL Foods became a growing, partnership-led foundation focused on creating better tomorrows for young children in South Africa.
We explore the difference between charity and meaningful corporate social investment, the role of communication in building trust, and why businesses need to be careful about chasing visible outputs instead of real systems change.
This conversation offers practical insight for business owners, non-profit leaders, and anyone interested in building something that creates lasting value beyond the brand.
Timestamps
00:10 Warren’s conversation card and bungee jumping at Victoria Falls
02:20 Learning, leadership, and Warren’s doctorate journey
06:17 Warren introduces the Do More Foundation
07:18 From marketing to corporate social investment
09:47 Why transparency and communication matter
13:31 Using his doctorate to understand and replicate the model
14:37 Covid, food insecurity, and distributing meals to children
18:23 Purpose, legacy, and supporting young children
23:09 The Do More Foundation’s purpose statement
24:43 How partners contribute to meaningful impact
25:51 RCL Foods’ funding share shifting from around 95% to 17%
27:18 Why real community change takes seven to ten years
29:03 Why partners should contribute from their strengths
31:23 Vanity metrics, painted classrooms, and what really matters
33:53 Building culture and team inside the foundation
37:35 Why brilliant people matter in non-profit work
38:26 Intentional teamwork, innovation, and learning
40:27 The Mandela Day peanut butter sandwich challenge
44:05 The secret sauce of play in the workplace
47:09 Leadership, freedom, accountability, and trust
49:22 Pam Picken and Warren’s introduction to early childhood development
50:33 Why the early years matter so much
52:24 Mentorship, timing, and creating your own luck
54:41 Warren’s advice for small business owners
58:44 Why businesses must be careful what they measure
01:04:03 Warren’s closing thoughts on passion and energy
Who is Warren Farrer?
Warren Farrer is the CEO and Trustee of the Do More Foundation, a proudly South African non-profit organisation founded by RCL Foods in 2017. The foundation focuses on creating better tomorrows for young children by bringing together partners across the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Today, Warren leads a team working across early childhood development, nutrition, community development, and systems change, with a strong belief in purpose, play, collaboration, and practical hope.
Links:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-farrer-988613146/
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warren.farrer
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warrenfarrer/
🔗 Do More Foundation Website: https://domore.org.za/
🔗 Do More Foundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-do-more-foundation/
🔗 Do More Foundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/domore.org.za/
🔗 Do More Foundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domorefoundation/
🔗 Do More Foundation Twitter: https://x.com/domore_org
🔗 Do More Foundation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPq7UH1B7MN1O_TTLRpoKIA
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This Podcast is produced by Kythe Creative:
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