Christine Delport

Contact information: phone: 27.14.592.1525; e-mail: Christine@grcf.co.za

Organization: The Greater Rustenburg Community Foundation (GRCF) was established in 2000.

Organization’s biography: The community foundation is located in Rustenburg in the Bojanala Region of the platinum-rich North West province of South Africa. Rustenburg is considered one of the fastest-growing cities on the African continent and home to approximately 1.5 million people. The majority of the community (80 percent) still resides in rural villages and informal settlements.

During the past 10 years, GRCF has invested more than $600,000 (R5 million) in the region through small grants and has mobilized an additional $13 million (R100 million); 90 percent of the latter amount was distributed directly to communities and NGOs in rural communities. Previously disadvantaged communities are now recognizing their assets and establishing sustainable socio-economic projects with small seed funding and matching grants from GRCF. 

Mott grants through 2009: Three grants totaling $500,000 since 2003. [Note: GRCF also was an original member of the South African Grantmakers Association (SAGA), which received 11 grants totaling $1.2 million from 1996 through 2005.]

What the community foundation is doing during the World Cup: Rustenburg is one of nine cities hosting the 2010 World Cup games so the community foundation is taking part in related activities. With support from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, GRCF is partnering with the FIFA FanFest management in Rustenburg. It is providing a platform for about 150 local artists and performers to showcase their talent before an international market.

The community foundation will support these artists during the 2010 World Cup and also help empower them to advance their career beyond the 2010 sporting event. This project also promotes using local companies to provide services related to the games.

My most meaningful place in South Africa: Rustenburg, on the toenail of the Pilanesberg National Park, is at the top of my list. This vast circular geological feature is ancient even by geological standards, as it is the crater of a long extinct volcano and the result of eruptions some 1,200 million years ago. It is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its type in the world. The rare rock types and formations make it a unique geological feature. It is also home to the Pilanesberg National Game Reserve, which hosts all of Africa’s Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros). In my opinion, it is one of the best game parks in the country.

Organization contact info:

158 Leyds Street
Rustenburg, South Africa

Phone: 27.14.592.1525
E-mail: grcf@grcf.co.za
Web site: www.grcf.co.za