OUR PURPOSE

At the Gryphon Foundation, we sculpt potential and vision into passion and purpose that opens doors to active economic participation in order to generate a legacy for future generations. We source and deploy funds that support job creation and enterprise development programmes that stimulates the growth of local economies.  

OUR VISION

We aim to see the average household earning an aggregate income that obliterates poverty thresholds in our target communities.

WHAT WE DO

The Gryphon Foundation is a Non-Profit Company founded in 2014 and works between active donors and target beneficiaries to ensure that local economies are positively impacted through business start-up, growth and sustainability and as a result contributing to national job creation goals through effective youth employment initiatives.  The Gryphon Foundation NPC supports initiatives for unemployed youth that lack the necessary qualifications and experience for gainful employment as well as for SMEs’ that require critical strategic business thinking skills.   As one of its strategic partners, Gryphon Enterprise Development (Pty) Ltd supports the Foundation to identify, assist and develop budding entrepreneurs into self-sustainable entities, with the emphasis on uplifting, empowering and eradicating poverty in low income communities.

HOW WE DO IT

The Foundation partners with and supports other non-profit organizations and social enterprises as they deliver innovative and impactful programs in communities and to the public at large. The Foundation sources donor or grant funding from the general public (both nationally and internationally) and/or the state in order to support socio-economic and enterprise development programs for our targeted beneficiaries. Therefore, our explicit objective is to be the trusted conduit between active donors and our target beneficiaries to ensure that local economies are positively impacted through business resilience and explosive growth.

OUR VALUES

INTEGRITY

Good governance that is above approach and worthy of trust

 

EMPOWERMENT

Independent families living with dignity and self-respect

INTER-DEPENDENCE

Future generations benefiting from the current generation

EXCELLENCE

Exceptional in the application of our resources

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Charles White

Charles White

Chairperson

Charles leads the Eternal Flame Church based in Cape Town. He is a professional mentor and business coach influencing local and international businesses as well as implementing social development projects.

He possesses the gift of unlocking potential in organisations and leaders and assisting them in finding purpose and prosperity. He has helped many organisations and individuals to achieve growth through solving complex problems.

He has a heart for Africa and believes that its posterity lies in its ability to develop leaders who can think and act strategically and selflessly.

As a student leader he fought for righteousness and justice to bring healing to a broken society. His passion remains to see a society flourish with love and respect for all.

Jacques van Heerden

Jacques van Heerden

Founder & CEO

Jacques has occupied leadership positions since his pre-teen years and this experience has served him well for more than 30 years during his corporate career and as strategy and leadership success coach. 

He has impacted communities by delivering programmes of Acts of Kindness and serving the needs of households both spiritually and physically.  It was during this time that he discovered his love for raising and mentoring leaders of leaders.

Jacques is passionate about helping everyone articulate their dreams and identifying the actions that will give them the positive momentum to achieve them. 

He believes that true joy lies in setting the direction for your life, career or organization and being energized by your journey to reach your desired destination.  Everyone has purpose and the foundation wants to support both the uncovering and pursuit of that purpose with passion and strategy.

Gary Prothero

Gary Prothero

Director

Gary grew up in Zimbabwe and moved to South Africa in 2004. Over the years he has been fortunate to work with many unique and talented individuals, in many diverse companies.

He has known Jacques, the Founder, for more than 14 years and is continually inspired by his ability, integrity and  genuine heart for those less fortunate.

Jacques has designed and refined an outstanding program, to not just skill, but instill a core work ethic and understanding in disadvantaged, young individuals, transforming them into not just employable individuals, but valued employees.

Gary notes “nowhere else, have I come across a program that does this so effectively, with long term, life changing results. Scaled up, this program can transform a culture and a nation. I am privileged to be involved with the individuals of this hard-working foundation and look forward to witnessing the transformation that will take place around the implementation of this program.”

Dr Shanaaz Hoosain

Dr Shanaaz Hoosain

Director

Dr Shanaaz Hoosain is a registered social work academic, researcher with over 20 years’ experience of working with communities and government stakeholders locally and internationally. A Bristol/UCT fellow for 2023 to 2025.

She mentors leaders whose objectives are to achieve success by contributing to social justice and collective healing. Training and collaborations included working with Department of Social Development, Institute for Reconciliation and Justice, Iziko Museums, the elite Anti-Gang Unit SAPS, Correctional Services, Child Welfare, Women for Change with City of Cape Town, Overberg Junior Town Council, Women’s Shelter Movement.

Awarded the East of England Regional Award for Equalities. Dr Shanaaz states that she is passionate about engaging with communities and social justice. As a woman of colour, she is uniquely positioned to create a space that is both inclusive and safe. This facilitates an environment for courageous conversations and healing

Nthati Moshesh

Nthati Moshesh

Director

Nthati Moshesh is an accomplished South African actress, born in Katlehong. She developed her passion for performance while studying drama at St. Andrew’s School for Girls in Bedfordview. After graduating with a Performer’s Diploma in Drama from Natal Technikon (DUT) in 1990, she went on to become an award-winning film, TV, and theatre actress.

Her notable roles include Grace Bhengu in “Savage Beauty” on Netflix (for which she won a Supporting Role in a Telenovela Award 2023), Mary Ndlovu in “Isono” on BET Africa (for which she won a Best Actress in a Telenovela SAFTA Award in 2022), Dibuseng Makwarela in “Thola” on SABC 2 (winning a Best Actress in a Drama SAFTA Award), Mamohato in “Saints & Sinners” on Mzansi Magic (winning a Supporting Actress in a Drama SAFTA Award), and others. She has also received international recognition, including a Gemini Award for Best Supporting Actress in a drama for her role in “Human Cargo.”

Additionally, Nthati Moshesh is an ambassador for the Cupling Foundation, advocating for menstrual health and period freedom for women. Nthati has previously served as a Celebrity Golfer for several years to raise awareness about breast cancer. Now, she runs an NPC called MoQhaka, meaning “Crown” in Sesotho, with the aim to empower young men and women in previously disadvantaged communities

WAYS TO DONATE

Any donation today will support our vision:

  • To create permanent employment for 100 000 youth by 2030
  • To raise the average household income in our target communities to a minimum of R17 000 per month by:
    –   Growing local economies through SME sustainability, growth and resilience
    –   Sponsoring programmes that foster interdependent business communities that co-create strategies for success.

OUR STAKEHOLDERS

(Patrons, Sponsors, Donors, Partnerships)