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For millions of people around the globe, the 2010 World Cup provided not only an exciting month-long sports competition, but also a first-hand look at the host country. Recognizing that, the Mott Foundation decided to show a side of South Africa not generally seen by sports fans and casual travelers. The Foundation invited a group of grantees in South Africa to write brief essays about their work in the nonprofit sector and to share what they see as the challenges and hopes for their country.

While each of the 19 essays we received was written as an individual piece, together these works comprise a collection of diverse and rich voices; they are a colorful tapestry of expressions about what excites, frustrates and inspires NGO leaders to continue their quest to create a just and equitable civil society in South Africa.

In addition, each writer was asked to share a “beloved places” – an area of their homeland that holds special meaning for them – and what resulted was a fascinating mix of off-the-beaten-path sights that are sure to inspire the armchair traveler.

We invite you now to browse through the essay collection and the meaningful destinations, or “sit a spell” and read them all. We think you’ll find them interesting, enlightening and entertaining.

About the writers

Those who agreed to participate in this Mott project are diverse in age, race, gender, geographic location and field of interests, such as education, philanthropy, gender issues, human rights, and others. Some are seasoned NGO professionals who fought in the anti-apartheid struggle while others are closer to the beginning of their careers. All, except three, are Mott grantees based in South Africa. Two of the exceptions are Mott staff – one lives in London (Shannon Lawder) and the other in Johannesburg (Vuyiswa Sidzumo). The third exception is a former director of Mott’s South Africa office (Christa Kuljian) and a longtime Johannesburg resident.

We hope these writings do for you what the World Cup games did for millions of people on and off the field: They energized and challenged them – and also provided discussion fodder for days to come.
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Y. Obenewa Amponsah, Director of International Partnerships Steve Biko Foundation .Read bio .Read Blog entry	Amanda Blankfield, Marketing Manager MaAfrika Tikkun  .Read bio .Read Blog entry
Saeanna Chingamuka, Gender and Media Diversity Center Officer Gender Links .Read bio .Read Blog entry	Amanda Cooper, Exhibition Coordinator Cape Town Holocaust Center .Read bio .Read Blog entry
Christine Delport, Chief Operating Officer  Greater Rustenburg Community Foundation .Read bio .Read Blog entry	Bernie Dolley, Director Ikhala Trust .Read bio .Read Blog entry
Ela Gandhi, Executive Director Satyagraha .Read bio .Read Blog entry	Jenny Hodgson, Director Global Fund for Community Foundations .Read bio .Read Blog entry
Sue Howell, Executive Director WHEAT Trust .Read bio .Read Blog entry	Christa Kuljian, Ruth First Fellow University of the Witwatersrand .Read bio .Read Blog entry
Fr. Michael Lapsley, SSM Director Institute for Healing of Memories  .Read bio .Read Blog entry	Shannon Lawder, Civil Society Program Director C.S. Mott Foundation .Read bio .Read Blog entry
Oshadi Mangena, Executive Director Pitseng Trust .Read bio .Read Blog entry	Sibongile (Bongi) Mkhabela, Chief Executive Officer Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund .Read bio .Read Blog entry
Chris Mkhize, Chief Executive Officer Uthungulu Community Foundation .Read bio .Read Blog entry	Anthony Prangley, Manager  Gordon Institute of Business Science .Read bio .Read Blog entry
Vuyiswa Sidzumo, Director - South Africa Office  C.S. Mott Foundation .Read bio .Read Blog entry	Ingrid Srinath Secetary General CIVICUS .Read bio .Read Blog entry
Dylan Edwards Research and Evaluation Greater Good South Africa .Read bio .Read Blog entry