Philanthropy has become a well-used term in modern South African society, with many of the wealthiest South Africans having large foundations to help the less fortunate.
There are many other examples of wealthy South Africans who helped the underprivileged during the apartheid times, including the likes of Mendel Kaplan, Sol Kerzner and Donald Gordon. Notably, the well-known anti-apartheid newspaper known as the ‘Rand Daily Mail’ was owned by Randlord Abe Bailey and later the Bailey Family Trust.
It would be impossible to talk about philanthropy in South Africa without mentioning the Oppenheimers.
The Oppenheimer family has been the richest family in South Africa for three generations, starting with Ernest Oppenheimer, who gained control of Cecil John Rhodes’ De Beers diamond empire in 1927.
Ernest also founded Anglo American, now the largest mining company in the country. He was succeeded by his son Harry Oppenheimer, who in turn passed the reins on to Nicky Oppenheimer.
Recently, on my travels across YouTube I came across an amazing video about Sipho Mchunu, who together with Johnny Clegg formed the music group Juluka.
For years Mchunu worked as a gardener so that he was able to live in Johannesburg (which was restricted under the strict pass book laws) and perform his music after hours at venues such as the Market Theatre.
View the video here.
Interestingly, Mchunu went to a free school that was started by Bridget Oppenheimer to help people learn English.
Of course, the Oppenheimer’s philanthropic activities went far beyond schools. For years in the 1970s and 1980s, Harry Oppenheimer financed the anti-apartheid Progressive Party, led by the late Helen Suzman.
It is amazing to think that the Nationalist government allowed this but such was the influence that Harry Oppenheimer had on the local economy, they must have felt unable to stop him.
The Progressive Party and Helen Suzman went on to become a thorn in the Nationalist’s side particularly after the Soweto uprising in 1976.
Harry Oppenheimer also helped to fund the United Democratic Front (UDF) which was one of the most important anti-apartheid organisations of the 1980s.
Among the UDF’s leaders were struggle icons such as Desmond Tutu and Albertina Sisulu.
There are many other examples of wealthy South Africans who helped the underprivileged during the apartheid times, including the likes of Mendel Kaplan, Sol Kerzner and Donald Gordon. Notably, the well-known anti-apartheid newspaper known as the ‘Rand Daily Mail’ was owned by Randlord Abe Bailey and later the Bailey Family Trust.
Despite their substantial wealth, we should not forget the large positive contribution that these individuals have played and still play in shaping the New South Africa.
If it were not for the likes of Harry Oppenheimer and his wife Bridget we may not be where we are today. - Andrew Amoils
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