For Lasting Results, Trust Local Leadership: Anglo American Foundation CEO Michael Mapstone on South Africa, Youth and the Future of Philanthropy
South Africa G20 philanthropy local leadership
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit, the spotlight is shifting toward Africa’s future—and the stakes are historic. By 2050, nearly 40% of the world’s young people will live in Africa, positioning the continent as a major driver of global growth, innovation and social progress.
For Michael Mapstone, CEO of the Anglo American Foundation (AAF), this moment is more than a geopolitical milestone. It is a wake-up call that philanthropy must evolve to match the urgency and scale of the transformation ahead.
South Africa G20 philanthropy local leadership
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not”
Mapstone’s career started far from boardrooms.
“Having started my professional life as an English teacher across Asia and Latin America, I saw firsthand how young people adapt and lead when given the chance,” he reflects. “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.”
Raised in a working-class family in London and the first in his family to attend university, Mapstone credits his upbringing for shaping his view of fairness.
“My parents worked incredibly hard so that I could have choices they didn’t,” he says. “That shaped my belief in creating conditions that help others succeed.”
This personal commitment to equity and opportunity would define his decades of work in global civil society.
A Global Perspective with Local Impact
Before joining AAF in 2022, Mapstone held influential roles including:
- Director of External Affairs and Global Engagement at Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)
– Leading the CAF Global Alliance, a major international network strengthening philanthropic systems worldwide. - Special Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat
– Managing partnerships with governments, inter-governmental bodies, private-sector organisations and NGOs.
These experiences enabled Mapstone to develop a global lens on what makes lasting impact possible, across cultures, languages and development environments.
AAF: Global Reach, Deep Local Roots
The Anglo American Foundation operates at the intersection of community development and global influence.
“Our South African roots give us credibility and a real understanding of local communities, while our global network allows us to connect innovation with broader development ecosystems,” Mapstone explains.
AAF’s focus:
- Strengthening local ecosystems
- Supporting youth leadership
- Empowering grassroots changemakers
- Providing tools, resources and opportunities that allow young people to unlock their potential
“The architecture of philanthropy is changing”
Mapstone believes the traditional model of philanthropy is no longer fit for purpose.
“It’s no longer about top-down interventions,” he says. “It’s about partnership, relevance and trusting the people closest to the challenge to lead the solution.”
This shift aligns with global conversations taking place ahead of the G20 Summit, where themes like inclusive growth, youth empowerment, and local leadership are at the forefront.
South Africa’s G20 Moment: A Chance to Showcase African Leadership
As the G20 spotlight turns to South Africa, Mapstone sees a rare opportunity to highlight Africa’s ability to lead global development thinking.
“We need to demonstrate how local collaboration can drive inclusive growth, create jobs and address systemic challenges,” he says. “The future of philanthropy is about enabling communities to thrive—not imposing external solutions.”
This narrative is especially relevant as South Africa faces internal challenges such as:
- rising inequality
- constrained economic growth
- high youth unemployment
- social instability
- gaps in local service delivery
Yet despite these realities, Mapstone believes South Africa is uniquely positioned to model new forms of impact and partnership.
Investing in African Youth Is Investing in the World
For Mapstone, Africa’s demographic shift is not a problem—it is a strategic opportunity.
“Young people are shaping the future now. Our job is to build systems strong enough to support them,” he says. “Investing in African talent and trusting local leadership is essential to enabling the philanthropic ecosystems of the future.”
He adds:
“Ultimately, whatever we do has to be able to outlive us—and you achieve that through youth agency.”
A New Era for Philanthropy
As global leaders turn their attention to South Africa during the G20 Summit, Mapstone’s message is clear:
lasting development comes from trust, collaboration and locally led solutions.
The future of philanthropy belongs to organisations that:
- enable ecosystems
- empower local actors
- unlock youth potential
- and trust communities to lead their own progress
For South Africa—and for the African continent—this is more than a development strategy.
It is a blueprint for long-term, sustainable, generational change.
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