The South African Institute of Advancement hosted the second Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards on 5 November, supported primarily by Standard Bank South Africa. The awards publicly recognise and acknowledge individual philanthropists who personally play a vital role in the ongoing development of South Africa.

"Even before the current the global financial crisis, international private and foundation funding was cut back, giving impetus to increase the calls to local givers to make personal contributions towards sustainable growth in South Africa" said Shelagh Gastrow, Executive Director, Inyathelo.

"In view of this trend it is of utmost importance that we recognise and honour those individuals who, through a commitment to really building South Africa, give back and encourage others to give."

The gala Awards event, addressed by both Niall Mellon of the Niall Mellon Township Trust and Cheryl Carolus CEO of Peotona Group, saw eight awards being presented to a range of remarkable South Africans who are doing what they can to build our young democracy and to ensure sustainable social development.

The Awardees were:

The Inyathelo Merit Award for Philanthropy: Ms Linda Givon, ex-Goodman Gallery.

The Inyathelo Award for Youth in Philanthropy: Mr Braam Hanekom, People against Suffering, Suppression, Oppression and Poverty (Passop).

The Inyathelo Award for Exceptional Philanthropy: Dr Saleem Badat, Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University.

The Inyathelo Award for Exceptional Philanthropy: Mr Norton Tennille, South African Education and Environmental Project (SAEP).

The Inyathelo Award for Women in Philanthropy: Ms Lynette Finlay, Nurturing Orphans of Aids for Humanity (Noah).

The Inyathelo Award for Community Philanthropy: Ms Grace Mohapi, Usizo Thuso Community Centre.

The Inyathelo Award for Family Philanthropy: The Bertie Lubner Family.

The Inyathelo Award for Lifetime Philanthropy: Professor Rashid Bhikha, Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb.

The message being spread by Inyathelo and this growing group of awarded philanthropists is that South Africa has an urgent need for all South Africans to participate in philanthropic giving.

It is important to move away from the idea that only the wealthy can give back to the community — philanthropy is for everyone, and every South African needs to be aware of what they can do to take responsibility for growing a strong democracy.

"We believe that everyone can be a philanthropist by contributing where they can, with what they have, to ensuring the sustainability of our civil society sector. As South Africans, we need to take on the challenge of supporting our own civil society" commented Gastrow.

Inyathelo hopes the awards will role model and encourage other emerging philanthropists, whilst increasing a broad awareness of philanthropy and the role it plays in strengthening our society.

Inyathelo is committed to growing social giving in South Africa, and with the support of big industry player Standard Bank South Africa, and from Accor Services, Inyathelo has a unique and comprehensive knowledge of social giving.

This knowledge is extended through its partnership with some of the world's largest foundations and trusts such as The Atlantic Philanthropies, the Kresge Foundation and the Open Society Foundation for South Africa who are all supporting Inyathelo's initiative to energise civil society by inspiring a passion for philanthropy.