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Tsitsi Masiyiwa is a prominent Zimbabwean philanthropist and social entrepreneur dedicated to advancing human capital development across Africa. As a thought leader and advisor, she influences universities, national leaders and social entrepreneurs on issues such as education, health, leadership develop
Tsitsi Masiyiwa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1965/01/04 Zimbabwe |
| Citizenship | Zimbabwe |
| Alma mater | University of Zimbabwe |
| Occupation | Philanthropist
Social Entrepreneur Gender Advocate |
| Board member of | Chair and Co-Founder of Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies
Advisory Member of: Co-Impact The END Fund Masana wa Afrika Sesame Workshop Global Advisory Group The International Advisory Board for Texas A&M University The Yale Institute for Global Health Advisory Board The King's Trust International Africa Advisory Board The Kenjin-Tatsujin International Advisory Council |
| Partner | Strive Masiyiwa |
| Children | 6 |
ment, gender equality and youth empowerment.[1] Her contributions have been recognised with three honorary doctorates from Bryant University, Africa University and Morehouse College, as well as numerous awards, including the Points of Light Award[2] for her work in expanding educational opportunities for Africa's youth. Her expertise is sought after as a judge for prestigious awards like the Rolex Awards for Enterprise,[3] the Trinity Challenge[4] and the Templeton Prize.[5]
In 1996, Tsitsi co-founded Higherlife Foundation, a philanthropic organisation with her husband, Strive Masiyiwa. Inspired by their Christian faith and shared vision, the foundation invests in education, health and sustainable livelihoods for people living in Africa.
Early life and education:
[edit]Tsitsi Masiyiwa was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 4 January 1965 and received her primary and secondary education within the country. Her early academic journey was shaped by her attendance at Chishawasha Primary School and the Dominican Convent High School in Harare.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Tsitsi Masiyiwa excelled in hockey and basketball, representing Zimbabwe at Regional tournaments.
She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Studies in 1988 at the University of Zimbabwe, to further her professional development, completed an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) at the same university in 1996.
Philanthropy and Social Impact:
[edit]In 1996, Tsitsi Masiyiwa, together with her husband Strive Masiyiwa, founded Higherlife Foundation in response to the Zimbabwean HIV/AIDS crisis. Since its inception, the foundation has become one of the largest scholarship programs in Africa,[6] with the goal of improving educational outcomes for thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children and enhancing learning opportunities for academically gifted students.
The foundation's health investments include maternal health[7] aimed at saving the lives of mothers and babies in hospitals, the elimination of neglected tropical diseases,[8] cholera and strengthening the healthcare workforce. Its investments in sustainable livelihoods include improving food and nutrition security and increasing rural household outcomes through training in climate-smart agriculture. The foundation has established two emergency operations centres in Zimbabwe to strengthen national responses to emergencies and facilitated training to equip communities in at-risk areas with the tools to respond recover and become more resilient to disasters.
In 2017, Tsitsi established Delta Philanthropies, as a vehicle for impact investing and grant making. Delta Philanthropies seeks to unlock and catalyse innovative solutions to the elimination of poverty by convening strategic partnerships and incubating new development models.[9]
Tsitsi Masiyiwa's commitment to empowering marginalised communities in Africa has led to significant contributions through her work with Higherlife Foundation, Delta Philanthropies and various international non-profit organisations[10] focused on development, leading to systemic change in the education, health, disaster preparedness and sustainable livelihoods.
Leadership and Influence:
[edit]Tsitsi Masiyiwa holds various advocacy and advisory roles in organisations that align with her vision of driving transformative, sustainable change, by working with local actors to foster development in ways that are culturally resonant and community-driven. Tsitsi Masiyiwa is the Board Chair of Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies. She also serves on the boards of multiple impactful organisations, including;
- The END Fund, a leading philanthropic fund solely dedicated to ending neglected tropical diseases.
- Masana wa Afrika,[11] a grant-making African foundation that supports community-based organisations serving children in Africa, and
- Co-Impact, a global philanthropic collaborative focused on building just and equitable systems.
She is a member of the Sesame Workshop Global Advisory Group,[12] the International Advisory Board for Texas A&M Univer[13]sity, the Yale Institute of Global Health Advisory Board,[14] the King's Trust International Africa Advisory Board,[15] and the Kenjin-Tatsujin International Advisory Council.[16]
In 2014, Tsitsi Masiyiwa played a pivotal role in establishing the African Philanthropy Forum, a learning community of strategic African philanthropists and social investors committed to inclusive and sustainable development throughout the African continent. She was a founding board member and Board Chair from 2016 to 2022.
Tsitsi Masiyiwa is a leading voice on the role that philanthropy can play in the fight against NTDs and has advocated for the elimination of NTDs to be a collective aspiration driven by Africans and supported by the international community. She was appointed the Board Chair of the END Fund in 2023 and is committed to helping African governments and the private sector[17] to see the benefits of investing in the elimination of NTDs and empowering affected communities to take the lead in eliminating NTDs.
Masana wa Afrika, launched in 2024,[18] aligns with Tsitsi's community-centred approach to her philanthropy. It invests in local organisations that are embedded in the communities they serve recognising their unique ability to design and deliver effective solutions to their challenges.
Tsitsi Masiyiwa's lifelong commitment to gender advocacy is deeply woven into her philanthropic initiatives through Higherlife Foundation and her strategic work with Co-Impact. She has championed gender equity across various sectors, particularly education and health, with a focus on marginalised groups in Africa. Through Higherlife Foundation, she has empowered young African women by providing access to scholarships, leadership training and mentorship programs, while also championing their reproductive rights, ultimately promoting their social and economic advancement. With Co-Impact, Tsitsi Masiyiwa extends her gender advocacy to a global scale, co-funding impactful programs that address systemic gender inequities in education and leadership.
Honors and Awards:
[edit]2016 Awards
[edit]- Morehouse College,[19] presented Mrs Tsitsi Masiyiwa with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for her work in continuing to support the orphaned and vulnerable African children through Higherlife Foundation with a focus on education, healthcare, and technology.
- She was awarded the Chairman's Honorary Award[20] at the Zimbabwe Achievers' Awards, for her contribution to charitable causes and children's welfare.
2017 Awards
[edit]- She was awarded with the Champions for Change Award for Leadership from the International Center for Research on Women.
- Tsitsi Masiyiwa received the African Woman of the Year in Health and Education Award[21] from New African Women Magazine for her work with Higherlife Foundation.
- She received an Honorary Doctorate of Social Welfare[22]from Africa University for outstanding contributions to the empowerment of the less privileged in Africa through Higherlife Foundation and for leadership in the technological renaissance of youth around the world.
2018 Awards
[edit]- In 2018, Theresa May – The British Prime Minister, awarded Tsitsi Masiyiwa and her husband, Strive Masiyiwa, the Points of Light Award acknowledging their commitment to improving learning opportunities and outcomes of underprivileged children across Africa through Higherlife Foundation.[23]
2019 Awards
[edit]- Tsitsi Masiyiwa was named among the Inaugural List of 100 Most Influential African Women[24] by Avance Media.
2020 Awards
[edit]- Tsitsi Masiyiwa was awarded the Forbes Africa Philanthropy Award[25]recognising her contribution to social change and education across Africa.
2022 Awards
[edit]- Tsitsi Masiyiwa was named Philanthropist of the Year[26] at the All-Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in partnership with CNBC Africa.
2023 Awards
[edit]- Tsitsi Masiyiwa was awarded the Dream Up, Stand Up, Speak Up (DUSUSU) Award which recognises impact leaders who serve as ambassadors and inspire young women and girls across the continent.
2024 Awards
[edit]- Tsitsi Masiyiwa received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Bryant University,[27] for continuing to support the orphaned and vulnerable African children through Higherlife Foundation with a focus on education, healthcare and technology.
Personal Life
[edit]Tsitsi Masiyiwa is married to Strive Masiyiwa,[28] a Zimbabwean businessman and philanthropist. The couple have six children and continue to work closely on philanthropic initiatives through Higherlife Foundation.
References
[edit]- ^ "Kings Trust International".
- ^ McBride, Jake (June 12, 2018). "Higherlife Foundation". Points of Light.
- ^ "Rolex Awards". 17 April 2024.
- ^ "2021 Ceremony – The Trinity Challenge".
- ^ Cocove, Samantha (May 17, 2024). "Meet the Judges for the 2024 Templeton Prize". Templeton Prize.
- ^ "Yale University Partners with Higherlife Foundation to Mentor African High School Students". Yale Young African Scholars. October 23, 2015.
- ^ projects, Webdev-Fintech web (December 11, 2020). "Higherlife Foundation hands over maternal health medical equipment".
- ^ "Neglected tropical diseases: leveraging the new NTD road map to build back from COVID-19 disruptions". www.who.int.
- ^ "Delta Philanthropies". InfluenceWatch.
- ^ "User Profile | MIT Solve". solve.mit.edu.
- ^ "NEW: 8 small NGOs to benefit from US$1m fund". The Sunday Mail. June 8, 2024.
- ^ "Women We Love | TsiTsi Masiyiwa, Social Entrepreneur and Philanthropist – Leading Ladies Africa".
- ^ "Boards and Committees - Global Engagement". tamu.edu.
- ^ "Advisory Board". medicine.yale.edu.
- ^ "Africa Advisory Board".
- ^ "Ashinaga: about-us/kenjin-tatsujin/".
- ^ September 2023, Stephanie Beasley // 04 (September 4, 2023). "Tsitsi Masiyiwa brings local approach to END Fund as new board chair". Devex.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Siswana, Ayanda (June 13, 2024). "Masana wa Afrika|New Foundation launches in South Africa, Reimagining Philanthropy for Children across the Continent". EIN Presswire.
- ^ "Heather Tsitsi Masiyiwa". Yeshivat Shuvu.
- ^ "Africa's leading Humanitarian Tsitsi Masiyiwa to be honoured at Zim Achievers Philanthropist and social entrepreneur Tsitsi Masiyiwa". May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Africa News: Gambian minister and 'Vice-President' wins top 'African Woman' award".
- ^ "Africa University celebrates 25 years | UMNews.org". United Methodist News Service.
- ^ Nsehe, Mfonobong. "Zimbabwean Billionaire Strive Masiyiwa And Wife Receive British Award For Philanthropy". Forbes.
- ^ "100Women | Avance Media | Tsitsi Masiyiwa".
- ^ "'The Need Is So Great':Tsitsi Masiyiwa On New Gender Fund". www.forbesafrica.com. May 4, 2022.
- ^ "News African Women: nawmagazine.com/?p=18656".
- ^ "Philanthropist Tsitsi Masiyiwa P'17 to receive honorary degree | Bryant News". news.bryant.edu.
- ^ Diop, Arimeta (September 11, 2024). "Melinda French Gates Spotlights Karlie Kloss, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and 4 Other Women Making Philanthropic Strides". Vanity Fair.