We were in South Africa between 10-14 November for Toniic’s Annual Global Gathering — a journey that left us inspired, energized, and deeply reflective.
Toniic’s mission is to build a resilient network of like-minded investors, supporting each other in tackling the world’s complex global issues.
With over 6,210 globally unique plant species and 534 unique animal species, Cape Town is also home to a diverse population of 5 million, all belonging to a single humankind. Despite its natural beauty, Cape Town, like much of South Africa, grapples with significant inequality, bearing the highest Gini coefficient globally among countries with sustainable statistics.
South Africa’s major cities, particularly Cape Town, face immense pressure from rapid urbanization as people from rural areas migrate to urban centers. Apartheid-era planning pushed Black, low-income communities to distant “townships” outside city centers, creating a landscape of spatial inequality that persists today. This has led to overcrowded townships with limited access to basic services and economic opportunity, forcing many residents to focus on daily survival rather than long-term advancement.
Mayor Hill-Lewis emphasized Cape Town’s commitment to improving life in these “townships” by investing in large-scale public infrastructure to provide essential services that many residents still lack. He sees the city’s role as pivotal in delivering and expanding this infrastructure, with projects reaching an unprecedented scale.Cape Town has set ambitious goals for basic infrastructure, outpacing Johannesburg and the next five largest South African cities combined in public investment. This scale of spending strains the city’s resources, pushing Cape Town to seek international funding, such as for a major new freshwater project. The urgency of climate action became clear during the severe drought preceding 2019 when Cape Town came within 39 days of exhausting its drinking water supply.
“And so when we say that we are dealing with climate change, we don’t mean we are dealing with it as some kind of future threat. We are dealing with it now as a very present reality,” said Hill-Lewis.
In response, Cape Town is constructing what will be the world’s largest water recycling plant, aiming to expand fresh water and sewer access across the city. The initiative, along with a push for renewable energy sources, aims to make the city more resilient to climate change impacts. The city expects that 25% of its power will come from renewables in the coming years, reducing its reliance on South Africa’s coal-heavy national grid.
Hill-Lewis also detailed Cape Town’s shift toward a more inclusive housing model. Since apartheid, over two million government-subsidized homes have been built, but often on large parcels of land far from city centers, reinforcing spatial inequality and burdening low-income residents with high transportation costs. Cape Town’s new strategy prioritizes smaller, centrally located land parcels for housing near job centers, reducing commute times and fostering economic integration. Inner-city social housing developments near industrial and business areas are intended to break down economic and social barriers left by apartheid.
Reflecting on the larger goal, Hill-Lewis emphasized, “It’s only going to be a successful society when it can overcome the shadows of the past and offer every South African, no matter the circumstances of their birth, a reasonable prospect of access to opportunity and a better life.”
In Cape Town, rapid urbanization and the enduring legacy of apartheid present complex challenges. Through bold investments in housing, infrastructure, and climate resilience, Hill-Lewis envisions a city that moves toward sustainability and social equity. By addressing long-standing inequalities and climate vulnerabilities, Cape Town aims to secure a more inclusive, prosperous future for all its residents.
In the “Impacting Change” panel, moderator Rowena Luk led a discussion with Bongani Sithole, CEO of 54 Collective, and Lelemba Phiri, co-founder of ATG Samata, two influential leaders in African venture capital. Sithole’s 54 Collective, managing over $100 million in assets, supports African startups through a unique, grant-funded venture success platform, while Phiri’s ATG Samata drives gender-inclusive investment across East, West, and Southern Africa. Together, they discussed innovative strategies for scaling African ventures, leveraging regional economic blocks like SADC, and Africa’s shift toward sustainable energy, emphasizing the need for resilient startup ecosystems to address climate challenges and unlock the continent’s rich resources.
Zelda La Grange, reflecting on her 19-year journey with Nelson Mandela, she shared how his authentic leadership and conviction-based actions transformed her life in profound ways. Mandela’s relatable, intentional approach left a lasting impact, and through her storytelling, she hopes to convey why he exemplified a true transformative leader. This aligns closely with the conference’s theme of fostering genuine, impactful leaders in society. Coming from a white African family, she also recounted how her father initially held strong prejudices about Mandela’s release from prison and her role as his private secretary, yet Mandela’s remarkable character won over her family and left an indelible impression on the entire nation.
After having our books signed by Zelda la Grange, we moved from the historic Castle of Good Hope to Philippi Village, where we witnessed the stark realities of Cape Town. Once a cement factory, Philippi Village has transformed into an integrated community development hub, dedicated to co-creating a safe and vibrant space that connects the Philippi community to essential services, employment, education, and cultural opportunities. Next door, the neighboring Philippi township faces challenging living conditions, underscoring the importance of this initiative.
Philippi Village, transformed from a repurposed cement factory, to become anintegrated community development hub, exemplyfied the power of cultivating a sense of belonging, pride, and shared purpose and how collective effort can be used address social challenges while building pathways for opportunity and progress.
From here we moved on to Boschendal Farm. The farm's commitment to sustainability and farm-to-table practices was evident in every detail. This intentionality not only enhanced our experience but also resonated deeply with the gathering's themes of authenticity, community, and impactful change.
Witnessing the seamless and heartfelt leadership transition between Adam and the new CEO, Dara, was a testament to the strength of this network.
Informative Sessions on ecosystem investing, the African entrepreneurial ecosystem, funds, and startups were rich with insights and actionable tools. They sparked ideas for becoming more active in Africa while connecting with its dynamic potential.
Through breakout moments, the stunning picnic lunch, and the meaningful coffee breaks, there was space to digest what we were learning, dive deeper into conversations, and nurture relationships. These pauses reminded us of the importance of balance and reflection in transformative gatherings like this.
Together, we explored how to envision and create the futures we want in a circle. A question that remained with us is: “What is my inner process for manifesting the change I want to see in the world?”
We loved how member-led sessions were proposed and voted for. This democratic process acknowledged every voice and fostered meaningful shared experiences.
Sharing my Firestory was one of the most meaningful moments. The process reminded me of the power of storytelling to connect deeply and authentically.
We are inspired by the authenticity and vision of this community. The connections made, lessons learned, and collective action have renewed our commitment to impact investing.
As we reflect on this journey, we are reminded of the spirit of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”
This gathering was a beautiful demonstration of interconnectedness, collective wisdom, and shared purpose.
