“There is no doubt that philanthropy plays an
important role in society whether it involves
humanitarian assistance, advocacy or grant
making. However, I want to focus on an
element that is often ignored in discussions
about philanthropy in Africa – the intersection between philanthropy, economics and politics and how these impact on social justice. Increasingly, philanthropy is being thrust into debates about developmental governance and the resolution of social injustices. But few people seem to recognise that there has always been a clear relationship between social justice and the
objectives of philanthropy or that philanthropy and social justice have always been intertwined. Our common understanding today is that a socially just society is one that prioritises human rights and pays attention to questions of the ownership of the means of production, property and decision-making among others. Such a society has to be based on principles of equity, fairness, solidarity, peace and dignity.
Philanthropy, on the other hand, is generally and simply defined as the love for humanity.”
