Johann Rupert’s incredible charity work — including giving poor communities houses and land

Johann Rupert is one of South Africa’s most generous businessmen, and as part of his philanthropic and charity work, he has given over 2,000 title deeds to poor communities.

Forbes currently ranks Rupert as South Africa’s richest person, with a net worth of $9.6 billion (R141 billion).

The Rupert family’s wealth, built over decades, makes Johann Rupert an easy target among far-left socialist politicians.

The tremendous value Rupert and other successful businessmen add to the country is often discounted in these attacks.

Apart from employing thousands of people, Johann Rupert has been the highest individual taxpayer in South Africa for the past 20 years.

Rupert’s large tax contributions help the South African government pay social grants, fund social development projects, and invest in education and healthcare.

The Rupert family also has a long history of supporting South African educational institutions, educational programmes, and environmental causes.

Rupert’s father, Anton, helped to establish the South African operations of the World Wide Fund for Nature and was involved in the National Parks Trust of South Africa.

Rupert and his family have also supported the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, the SA College for Tourism, and Ikamva Labantu.

The Rupert Education Foundation supports numerous educational development initiatives designed to uplift and support children and youth across South Africa.

Support projects aim to develop and support teachers and provide academic, psycho-social, and other support for learners. Technology and 21st century ICT skills form a great part of the support.

As a hungry child cannot learn, the support with nutritional feeding has distributed 8 202 640 meals to 18 257 learners up to the end of March 2022.

Giving land and houses to underprivileged communities

One of the projects which Johann Rupert and his wife feels particularly strongly about is giving underprivileged people land and houses.

The Rupert family has already sponsored two thousand title deeds in Stellenbosch and Graaf Reinet.

Through the Khaya Lam (my home) initiative, thousands more poor people’s lives are transformed by making them homeowners.

The Rupert funds are committed to projects in the Western and Eastern Cape, including Aberdeen, Graaff-Reinet, Khayalitsha, Kleinvlei, Lwandle, Saldanah Bay, and Stellenbosch.

They are also supporting project in the Free State, including Ngwathe in Parys and Moqhaka in Kroonstad.

A few highlights of the Khaya Lam initiative include:

• On 21 November 2019, Johann Rupert and his wife Gaynor presented 132 full title deeds to residents from Kaya Mandi, Klapmuts, Kylemore, Franschhoek and Le Roux townships.
• On 31 March 2021, 68 titles were presented in Tumahole, Free State, sponsored by the Reinet Foundation.
• On 13 April 2021, in Bloekombos, Kraaifontein, Western Cape, Remgro sponsored 166 titles.
• On 14 April 2021, 175 titles were received by new property owners in Mokwallo, Free State. 158 more titles were put into the hands of new owners in Saldanha Bay.
• On 21 April 2021, the Rising Tide Foundation (RTF) and the Reinet Foundation sponsorship have enabled the presentation of 222 titles in Phiritona, Heilbron, and Free State.
• On 29 April 2021, 71 titles were given to people in the Idas Valley low-cost housing project (Hillside Village).
• On 5 May 2021, in Kwakwatsi, Free State, 50 titles were given to poor households.

The Rupert family has pledged a further 10,000 titles through its ongoing Khaya Lam initiative.

Philanthropic and charity work by Johann Rupert

The initiatives mentioned in this article are only a small part of the philanthropic endeavours of Johann Rupert and his family.

To appreciate the value Johann Rupert adds to South Africa outside of his business interests, it is important to look at all the causes he has supported in recent years.

The table below provides an overview of the institutions Johann Rupert and his family have supported.

The second table shows the educational projects and programmes the Johann & Gaynor Rupert Foundation support.