Toward a Social Justice African Philanthropy

ABSTRACT This article critically examines charity work on the African continent within the predominant western/Eurocentric paradigm, based on the notion of an inferior and helpless ‘African Other' in need of rescuing. We trace the history of western philanthropy back to its colonial roots exposing its main function as upholding white supremacy by reinforcing patterns of colonial subjugation and dependence. These notions are to this day reflected in charitable projects on the continent which are understood as ends in and of themselves without the need to embed those actions in any serious challenge to existing power dynamics so the status quo may be preserved. Looking at a small niche project in Cape Town, South Africa during the emerging Corona Crisis in 2020, we explore the possibility of an alternative, African-centred philanthropy, which requires an awareness for the voices that continue to be silenced. Using insights from our project, we question the functions and the impact of postcolonial charity on both the ‘recipients’ and ‘givers’ of such charity and propose ways forward for research and action-based alternatives.