This feature formed part of the KPMG series, “Philanthropists in Action,” a case study series which looks at emerging trends in the philanthropy landscape, as the ESG agenda and creating social impact climb the priority list of Family Offices and ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) around the world.
“Philanthropy and family businesses have been at the heart of African culture for generations,” says Tsitsi Mutendi, Co-founder of the not-for-profit African Family Firms (AFF). “They sustain families, friends and neighbours, often growing into multi-billion-dollar enterprises.”
“As Africans, we practice ubuntu. It is not about me, it’s about us. I am part of an ecosystem of other people that sacrificed their time, their resources for me. And we do the same.”
She explains, the practice of giving reflects the spirit of Ubuntu, recognizing that the wellbeing of one is deeply connected to the wellbeing of others.
Tsitsi is a third-generation entrepreneur, and in addition to her leadership of AFF, manages a successful publishing company and a Montessori school. She follows in the footsteps of her parents, grandparents, and her in-laws, the Mutendi family, who built a successful church, as well as a number of successful family-managed businesses. Philanthropy has been at the heart of the Mutendi family for over 100 years.
“Ours was a home that was always full of children that needed a place to stay, someone to talk to, or to help with schooling,” says Tsitsi.
Family business in Africa has not always received its fair share of attention. Despite sitting at the economic heart of the African continent, creating wealth for communities, and driving philanthropic activity, African family businesses are sometimes overlooked, under-documented, and unsupported. That is changing, driven by the passion, enthusiasm, and unending efforts of community leaders like Tsitsi.
AFF was established a little over 2 years ago as a not-for-profit organization to support and facilitate the continuity of African family businesses across multiple generations.
“The world is now looking at the continent because it is the last frontier,” explains Tsitsi. “We have so many resources and the youngest population on earth. We have so much, yet other people are identifying what we have.”
Tsitsi explains that creating the AFF, was about recognizing that the conversation in Africa has to shift from political to economic.
“We have to identify what we have, start learning from the mistakes of others, and create our own narrative, identifying the things we’ve done well,” says Tsitsi.
Tsitsi’s approach to philanthropy demonstrates an upbringing where philanthropy was an everyday part of family life.
“My mom was a philanthropist. If someone lost their parents, they came to stay with us. If they needed help, they stayed. It takes action to change the narrative; one dollar to change the story. That’s true philanthropy,” says Tsitsi.
African Family Firms – how AFF is making a difference
The AFF seeks to facilitate the continuity of African family businesses across generations, promoting the positive impact they have on the economy and, importantly, society. It is built around four pillars – community, research, academic education, and advocacy – providing an open and safe space for business owners to network and discuss the challenges and opportunities they face, creating, in effect, a peer board.
“AFF is leading the discussion on issues that affect family businesses now, that we are part of a global audience. We recognize our history and our struggles; and in acknowledging that, we can face and step into our future,” explains Tsitsi.
The African continent is home to almost two billion people yet has little formal education available for family businesses. Generations of future business leaders are leaving the continent to learn, bringing back knowledge and insights from other places that creates significant gaps in the African perspective. The AFF will shortly take over the Galliard Institute, renaming it as Galliard International and creating a world-leading family business adviser centre of learning.
The final pillar is advocacy, with the AFF lobbying government seeking change in the legal system to encourage family businesses to thrive and grow.
“As a solid group of family businesses, speaking with one voice across industries, creating a family business desk on