Allan Gray Orbis Foundation: 20 years of purpose-driven impact

As the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) celebrates its 20th anniversary, Nontobeko Mabizela, chief executive officer, shares some of the philanthropy history and describes AGOF’s programmes and reach. With over one million lives positively impacted by AGOF’s mission since inception in 2005, she shares some inspiring stories that bring its purpose and vision to life.

In 1984, Mr. Allan Gray penned a letter to the South African government with a bold vision: to use the skills and resources of Allan Gray Investment Counsel to catalyse small, labour-intensive businesses and foster job creation, particularly within disadvantaged communities (see below). Although his proposal was not realised at the time, the seed of that vision was planted. In 2005, it blossomed into the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF), dedicated to nurturing high-impact, responsible entrepreneurs who would go on to uplift their communities and drive economic transformation.

In 2015, Allan & Gill Gray Foundation was established as a continuation of the philanthropic pursuits of the Gray family. This foundation, which was endowed with the Gray family’s controlling interests in both the Allan Gray and Orbis groups of asset managers, is designed to ensure the asset management groups exist in perpetuity and creates a platform for significant philanthropic impact. AGOF is part of this broader philanthropy ecosystem.

In 2005, Mr. Gray's vision blossomed into the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, dedicated to nurturing high-impact, responsible entrepreneurs who would go on to ... drive economic transformation.

A comprehensive model for impact

Over the past two decades, AGOF has built a structured pipeline that supports entrepreneurial development from high school to post-tertiary level and beyond. Our programmes, which are outlined below, work in harmony to nurture individuals with entrepreneurial potential and equip them with the necessary skills, mindset and support to launch ventures that create lasting change.

The Allan Gray Scholarship Programme

The Allan Gray Scholarship Programme (the Scholarship) cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset, personal mastery and academic excellence in selected high school learners to enable future generations to address the inequalities of the past, and to continue the economic and social transformation of Southern Africa.

Since inception, the Scholarship has supported more than 600 Scholars, selected from over 72 000 applicants.

High-potential learners from disadvantaged backgrounds are identified and provided with full funding to attend one of our 33 partner schools. The learners who receive a scholarship from AGOF are called Allan Gray Scholars (Scholars). Alongside their academic studies, Scholars participate in entrepreneurial development activities that cultivate essential skills, such as a growth mindset, self-efficacy, leadership, opportunity assessment, resilience, and creative problem-solving.

Since inception, the Scholarship has supported more than 600 Scholars, selected from over 72 000 applicants. Many Scholars go on to join the Allan Gray Fellowship Programme – AGOF’s university programme (see below). As one Grade 10 Scholar reflected: “AGOF has opened up a world of experiences I never knew were attainable. It has opened my eyes to the possibilities the world has to offer and how I can make a difference.”

The Scholarship has not only opened educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, but also eased families’ financial burdens, inspiring younger siblings and communities to dream bigger.

We are proud to report that 100% of our 2024 Grade 12 Scholars achieved a bachelor’s degree pass. There are currently 215 Scholars in the programme.

The Allan Gray Fellowship Programme

The Allan Gray Fellowship Programme (the Fellowship) is the cornerstone of our model, providing university students with comprehensive support, including tuition funding, personal development, and entrepreneurial education. University students who are invited to join the Fellowship are called Candidate Allan Gray Fellows (Candidate Fellows).

Since its inception, the Fellowship has nurtured over 1 800 Candidate Fellows from a pool of over 68 000 applicants. The programme equips participants with critical entrepreneurial skills and an ethical mindset.

One Candidate Fellow described the experience as transformative: “The programme has equipped me with critical skills in problem-solving, strategic thinking, and leadership, enabling me to take a proactive approach to addressing real-world issues.”

Since its inception, the Fellowship has nurtured over 1 800 Candidate Fellows from a pool of over 68 000 applicants.

In 2024, AGOF achieved its target of retaining 90% of its Candidate Fellows. There are currently 450 Candidate Fellows across 10 placement universities.

The Postgraduate Allan Gray Fellowship Programme

The Postgraduate Allan Gray Fellowship Programme, a pilot programme launched this year, has been designed to accelerate entrepreneurial development by offering postgraduate students a fast-tracked version of the Fellowship. With 30 participants selected from six major universities and drawn from a pool of 2 338 applicants, the programme has attracted a diverse cohort, with 53% being women, and strong representation from Humanities, Business and STEM faculties.

This pilot programme reflects our commitment to expanding entrepreneurial access and deepening our impact, ensuring that more graduates are equipped to launch high-impact ventures.

The Association of Allan Gray Fellows

Our support doesn’t end at graduation. When Candidate Fellows graduate, they may be invited to join the Association of Allan Gray Fellows (the Association) and become fully fledged Allan Gray Fellows (Fellows). The Association provides a platform for Fellows to test their entrepreneurial ideas, receive feedback, hone various skills, and develop mutually beneficial relationships as part of a community that includes other Fellows and partners. Through the Association, AGOF provides lifelong development opportunities, mentorship, and funding to alumni (through our sister entity, E Squared), helping them launch and grow ventures that address societal challenges.

Over the past 20 years, the Association has supported just under 1 000 Fellows.

In terms of its throughput target, AGOF admitted 97 Candidate Fellows (88%) to the Association in 2024, exceeding its 70% target.

Over the past 20 years, the Association has supported just under 1 000 Fellows. The Fellow communities have worked on approximately 280 prelaunch ideas/ventures and launched more than 300 ventures. These businesses have created thousands of jobs and achieved significant economic impact, improving over one million lives across the region – demonstrating the power of responsible entrepreneurship.

Currently, 37% of Fellows are active entrepreneurs.

The Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge

The Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge (AGEC) makes entrepreneurship education accessible to high school learners across Southern Africa through numerous entrepreneurship games and learning opportunities, such as an online game, printed-to-play games and business pitches. Since its pilot in 2015 and official launch in 2017, the AGEC online game has engaged over 80 000 participants through more than 224 000 plays, accumulating 75 000 hours of play and involving over 2 000 teachers.

The AGEC’s teacher training initiative, recently accredited by the South African Council for Educators, ensures that educators receive professional development and are equipped to inspire entrepreneurial thinking in their classrooms. Through this programme, we are fostering a culture of innovation and creativity from an early age, building a foundation for future entrepreneurial leaders.

The 2025 game kicked off on 1 April. You can find more information here.

Real-world impact and stories of change

Fellow-led businesses have created jobs, delivered innovative solutions, and driven sustainable change, leaving an indelible mark on communities. Our incredible 20-year milestone is testimony to the power of responsible entrepreneurship to drive long-term, sustainable change and create opportunities for communities.

The true impact of our efforts is best understood through the stories of our participants. Their journeys reflect the transformative power of AGOF’s support – fostering resilience, unlocking potential and shaping entrepreneurial leaders.

A Grade 11 Scholar shared: “The Scholarship has been a source of pride and relief for my family. It has lightened financial pressure and created a ripple effect of hope and motivation among my siblings and relatives.”

An Allan Gray Fellow echoed this sentiment, stating: “The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation equipped me with the skills and resources to start my first few ventures. The support I’ve received has shaped my entrepreneurial journey and helped me create meaningful impact.”

Beyond personal growth, our participants are driving change in industries and communities.

Transforming legal access through purpose-driven innovation

Keitumetse Pule’s entrepreneurial journey is a powerful testament to perseverance, vision, and the long-term impact of structured entrepreneurial support. As someone who has navigated every stage of AGOF’s pipeline – starting as an Allan Gray Scholar and eventually becoming a fully engaged member of the Association of Allan Gray Fellows – her path exemplifies the transformative power of nurturing high-potential entrepreneurs from a young age.

Keitumetse’s impact extends beyond her business; she is a living example of AGOF’s mission to cultivate responsible entrepreneurs who drive meaningful change.

Motivated by the everyday struggles that South Africans face when accessing legal services, Keitumetse founded Legal Standpoint, an award-winning legal tech start-up based in Johannesburg. Through innovative, multilingual, and gamified legal education, the platform demystifies the law, empowers individuals with essential knowledge, and connects users with affordable legal professionals and documents. By breaking down barriers to legal access, Legal Standpoint is not just offering a service – it is reshaping an entire industry.

Keitumetse’s impact extends beyond her business; she is a living example of AGOF’s mission to cultivate responsible entrepreneurs who drive meaningful change. By leveraging technology to make legal services more accessible and inclusive, she is proving that entrepreneurship is not just about building successful ventures – it is about solving real-world problems that uplift communities. Her journey underscores the power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, demonstrating that with the right support, young entrepreneurs can build solutions that transform lives, industries, and society at large.

A partnership for the common good

None of this would be possible without an initial R1bn endowment from Mr. Allan Gray and the enduring support of Allan Gray Proprietary Limited, which funds AGOF through a donation of 5% of its taxable profits. This powerful relationship between business and philanthropy underscores our belief that business can and should be a force for the common good.

Our incredible 20-year milestone is testimony to the power of responsible entrepreneurship to drive long-term, sustainable change and create opportunities for communities.

As we reflect on 20 years of impact, we recognise that our journey has been shaped by valuable lessons that will guide us into the future.

First, we have seen that entrepreneurship, when nurtured with the right values and support, is a powerful force for change. The individuals we have supported are proving that responsible entrepreneurship not only drives economic growth, but also fosters inclusive development.

Second, long-term investment in human potential yields generational benefits. The young people we empower today will become tomorrow’s leaders, mentors, and changemakers, ensuring that the cycle of opportunity continues beyond our direct reach.

Third, collaboration is essential. We have learnt that our vision can only be fully realised through strong partnerships – within the private sector, government and civil society. By working together, we can amplify our impact and create an ecosystem that sustains entrepreneurial success.

Finally, our founder’s unwavering belief in people remains our greatest guiding principle. As we step into the next chapter of our journey, we reaffirm our commitment to unlocking human potential, advancing economic transformation, and championing a future where every aspiring entrepreneur has the opportunity to thrive.

With gratitude for the past and determination for the future, we invite you to join us as we continue this vital work.

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