Rali Mampeule Nominated for African Leadership Magazine’s African Philanthropist of the Year 2026
SALM TEAM 
The Mampeule Foundation, founding donor of the Global Surgery Foundation (GSF), is proud to announce that its Chairperson, Rali Mampeule, has been nominated for the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year (POTY) 2026 Awards, under the prestigious African Philanthropist of the Year category.
The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards, first held in 2011, honour exceptional Africans whose work is shaping the continent’s development agenda. Published by African Leadership (UK) Limited, the magazine is one of the world’s largest African-focused business and community platforms, reaching audiences across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Reacting to the nomination, Rali Mampeule said: “Faith is when you give what you have, even when it is small. Like the widow with her last oil, you trust that God can multiply it. You don’t wait for abundance before you move; you move, and abundance follows. That is what motivates us at the Mampeule Foundation. We did not know you get awards for sharing the little you have, but we are humbled by this nomination. It is truly an honour to be nominated alongside African leaders like Jim Ovia, Dr. Mensa Otabil, and Samuel Tafesse.”
Over the past five years, Rali Mampeule has emerged as one of South Africa’s most influential philanthropists, with impact spanning global health, education, rural development, youth empowerment, and infrastructure innovation. Through the Mampeule Foundation, he continues to champion community upliftment, tertiary bursary support, and sustainable development. As founding donor of the Global Surgery Foundation (GSF), he supports equitable access to surgical care globally.
Rali’s philanthropic work spans multiple sectors, including:
- South African Housing and Infrastructure Fund (SAHIF): Founded by Rali, SAHIF has delivered more than 68,000 much-needed housing stands, enabling thousands of South Africans to build homes and secure a place they can truly call their own.
- MetroFibre Networx: Recognising the demand for home connectivity during the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the rise of remote work, Rali invested in MetroFibre Networx, which now provides high-speed internet to over 510,000 homes.
- COVID-19 Emergency Housing: In 2020, through SAHIF, Rali built and donated 72 emergency housing units to the Ikemeleng community in Roodepoort, providing safe accommodation for over 300 people relocated from a nearby farm.
- Educational Bursaries: Through the Mampeule Foundation, Rali has awarded more than 90 study bursaries to students across South Africa.
- 3D-Printed Housing Innovation: He partnered with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSI) and the University of Johannesburg to develop South Africa’s first 3D-printed house, a milestone in affordable housing innovation.
- Youth-Focused Programmes: Rali supports initiatives such as Green Riders — aimed at creating 50,000 green jobs — the Supreme Fight League (SFL), and several other programmes empowering young South Africans.
In addition to his philanthropic work, Rali Mampeule serves as Chairman of MIT Investments, Chairman of the UJ SMaCT Research Centre, and CEO of the African Housing and Infrastructure Fund (AHIF). He is a member of the Forbes Real Estate Council, a Top 100 Property Leader (SAIBPP, 2025), and winner of the SAIBPP Socio-Economic Impact Award (2019). He also holds an AMDP qualification from Harvard University.
Members of the public are invited to vote for Rali Mampeule under the category African Philanthropist of the Year 2026 by clicking the link below. Voting closes on 30 November 2025: https://www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk/african-leadership-magazine-persons-of-the-year-2026-nominees/
