Ten philanthropists honoured

Winners

• PEP stores founder Renier Van Rooyen won the Award for Lifetime Philanthropy;
  
• International writer Bronwen Jones who started Children of Fire received the Award for Philanthropy in Health;
  
• Kanchana Moodliar, founder of the Saris for Good Karma Project won the Award for Youth in Philanthropy;
  
• Royal Zulu princess and founder of the charitable Qolothani Makhosiazi Social and Cultural Services, Dr Gcwalisile Kabanyane, received one of two Awarsd for Community Philanthropy;
  
• Asset Management entrepreneur Dr Allan Gray received the Award for Lifetime Philanthropy and leading financier Mark Schwartz received the Award for International Philanthropy to South Africa;
  
• Founder of the Kronendal Music Academy of Hout Bay, Dwyn Griesel, won the Award for Philanthropy in the Arts;
  
• Cornelis and Marion Cloete who started Botshabelo village northwest of Johannesburg received the Award for Family Philanthropy;
  
• Bridgette Mamugubudi, who quit her job and cashed in her pension to set up the Litshani Vhana Vhade Foundation in Limpopo, also received an Award for Community Philanthropy

Nominee numbers up

Established by the South African Institute for Advancement in 2007 to acknowledge those who have committed their personal resources towards broader social development in South Africa, the nominees are nominated by their peers and members of the communities in which they work or by the non-profit organisations that they support.

Inyathelo executive director Shelagh Gastrow says that this year they received almost double the number of previous nominations, from all over the country and all sections of society. "The great variety of nominations reflects the many different ways in which ordinary South Africans are working to actively improve our country - be it through the arts, education, health, research or the provision of basic services.

"Philanthropy is dependent on the interest, passion, commitment, generosity and foresight of individuals wanting to make a difference and our awards seek to recognise and commend these people publically," she explains.