The new season of Ubuntu Uplift, a podcast by CivSource South Africa, opens with the greeting “Dumelang, Rialocha, Aushen,” setting the tone for conversations about how philanthropy can become intentional, inclusive, and transformative in the lives of South Africa’s youth. Hosted by Oratile Mokase, the series convenes changemakers, thought leaders, and grassroots activists who work daily to turn possibility into reality.
Season 2 aims to inspire while challenging assumptions about giving and community support. Its mission is bold yet clear: amplify youth voices, spotlight innovative approaches to social impact, and reimagine philanthropy as a force that uplifts deeply, not just broadly. At its heart lies a question: Can targeted philanthropy reshape the socioeconomic trajectory of young people?
The urgency is clear; youth face digital exclusion, unemployment, unsafe spaces, and limited civic opportunities. The podcast probes what civil society may be overlooking.
Episode 1 features Jean Veitch, operations manager at the Ingelosi Foundation, which advances strategic, youth-centered philanthropy. Veitch leads urban-targeted social investments that reach young people in schools, communities, and grassroots initiatives, while creating safe spaces for expression and entrepreneurship. She argues philanthropy is most powerful when intentional, precise, and rooted in lived experience, moving away from one-size-fits-all giving.
Jean reflects on her path into philanthropy, sparked by an encounter with Jenny, the foundation’s chair, on a soccer field where their children played. What followed was a journey of aligning service with values. She shares powerful stories of vulnerability: one facilitator arrived late to a Christmas gift drive because he had been talking someone down from a bridge, a stark reminder of the unseen crises young people face.
For her, targeted philanthropy means empowering others to help themselves. Even in hardship, youth want to contribute; what’s missing is identifying problems clearly and structuring efforts to generate income. Ingelosi addresses this, focusing particularly on ages 16–35:
Safety emerges as the most pressing urban challenge. Young people need safe spaces, Wi-Fi hubs, and stable facilities they can trust. Driving through the inner city reveals instability and insecurity, conditions that undermine youth well-being.
Corporates, Jean notes, now think harder about outcomes. Using metaphors like “fish vs. teach to fish” and “pads vs. stigma,” she highlights the need to go beyond material inputs to tackle cultural barriers and engage boys and men. Corporates must listen to NGOs and frontline voices; while cash is often treated with suspicion, flexible funding lets organizations act where needs are greatest.
A pivotal moment came through a CivSource South Africa connection: Ingelosi could support individuals directly because a partner trusted their community insight. Though such work may appear “unsexy,” it creates ripples that change lives, families, and communities.
When giving is done well, young people rise above barriers, no longer held back by small obstacles like lacking a white T-shirt. Instead, they learn accountability, financial viability, and meaningful contribution. The goal is not permanent handholding but enabling responsibility and growth.
The episode also asks what doesn’t work. Handouts like food parcels often fuel dependency. During COVID-19, while some waited for the next grant, others used it to buy ingredients, bake, and double their income. The lesson is clear: don’t judge need; cultivate a mindset that turns small resources into sustainable change.
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