Explore every episode of the podcast The Nonprofit Matters Podcast

“Nonprofits can’t afford to ignore the rules — but understanding them doesn’t have to be overwhelming.”

In the latest episode of the #Nonprofit Matters Podcast, host Sarah Scarth is joined by two of South Africa’s most respected legal experts Nicole Copley of NGO Law and Ricardo Wyngaard of Ricardo Wyngaard Attorneys for an eye-opening conversation on legal compliance, governance, and the everyday realities of running a nonprofit within the law.

Between them, Nicole and Ricardo have more than six decades of experience working with nonprofits across the country, and they’ve seen it all — from compliance confusion and tax myths to the complexities of the Master’s Office and the emerging challenges of AI. This discussion pulls back the curtain on the legal essentials every nonprofit should know.

Find episode notes and our free toolkit to complement this episode on the Hashtag Nonprofit website: https://hashtagnonprofit.org/features-and-resources/the-nonprofit-matters-podcast/episode-2-legal-lowdown-navigating-south-african-nonprofit-law

South African nonprofits are facing a critical moment. With international funding cuts from major players like USAID and PEPFAR, thesector is confronting very real challenges: program sustainability, staffing pressures, and the ongoing impact of vital work in communities across the country.

To help unpack this complex landscape, our host for this episode, Clara Kwizera (South African Country Manager at iZinga Assist) speaks to Audrey Elster (Executive Director, RaithFoundation),

Nyasha Njela (Director, RevolutioniseInternational), and

Louise Driver (Executive Director,Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa).

Our powerhouse guests share insights on:

• How nonprofits can rethink funding models and reduce reliance on internationaldonors
• The importance of local philanthropy and community engagement
• Practical ways to push back on donor expectations that don’t reflect on-the-ground realities
• Building resilience and collective action in times of systemic change

If you care about the sustainability of South African nonprofits, this is a conversation you can’t miss.

Credits

• Host: Clara Kwizera
• Guests: Audrey Elster, Louise Driver, Nyasha Njela
• Podcast Producer: Ruendree Govinder
• Sound Engineering: LIFEBrand https://lifebrand.co.za/
• Support: LV and Ivy Middleton Charitable Trust