Ditikeni's distribution to beneficiaries increases by 20%

The total distribution to beneficiaries now stands on R10,5m per year, while the net asset value exceeded R100m in the 2015 financial year and revenue was up 52%.

"While the numbers all looked good, Ditikeni remained focused on ensuring its beneficiaries adopt innovative and resourceful sustainability strategies to continue their vital work," said chairperson, Sahra Ryklief. "Considering that we started with R2.8m from our shareholders in 1999, this is certainly an accomplishment to be proud of."

As expected, the beneficiaries are proud, but as Eric Atmore, the founder and director of the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD) said, the monetary part is secondary. "There are two benefits of being part of Ditikeni. The obvious one is financial, but the more important one is the thinking behind Ditikeni.

Attitude change

"The primary attitude change among non-profits was from: 'We are an established organisation and we do good work, therefore the donors owe us'. Now the thinking is: 'We have a service or product, which makes a meaningful impact and difference on peoples lives, therefore donors should invest in us'," he explained.

Atmore said Ditikeni is a case study that should be written up and copied across the world. "Where do you get 23 non-profits together to pool R2.8m, that then gets invested, and today it's worth in the region of R130m?"

One of CECD's components is building the leadership in the EDC sector. In 1994, there were 135 functioning ECD training providers across the country. Today there are just 62, and 73 have closed. They were invited to join Ditikeni, and all but one declined.

"Each ECD non-profit would say that they closed for funding reasons, but the real reason they closed was lack of leadership and lack of strategy. There is more money in the ECD sector than there has ever been before. But the big thing about Ditikeni is that its learning and influence has made us think differently," Atmore said.

Nomfundo Walaza, Chairperson at the Social Change Assistance Trust (SCAT)

Enormous benefits

Nomfundo Walaza, chairperson at the Social Change Assistance Trust (SCAT), agrees that being part of the Ditikeni 'family' has had enormous benefits. "I don't know where the two million individuals that are reached by the work of SCAT and the plethora of Ditikeni partners would be without the services we provide, and which are made possible by being part of the group," she said.

The group disposed of three investments in the past year - Carecross Health, the Kelly Group, and the Business Connexion Group - and made three new investments; the listed property fund, Texton Property Fund, the private wealth management company, Maitland Asset Management Holdings, and the pharmaceuticals and medical supplies group, Akacia Healthcare.