Make A Difference Leadership Foundation

Make A Difference Leadership Foundation Make A Difference Leadership Foundation was founded in 2003 by Francois Pienaar and focuses on leader
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Since the inception of MAD Leadership Foundation in 2003, Founder and Chairman, Francois Pienaar has had an inspiring vision to provide educational access to scholars with leadership potential but face economic and other barriers through an individualised and personal approach. Our vision is to ensure that young South Africans with academic and leadership potential are not held back by the inequal

ity of opportunities in education in South Africa. We achieve this through a comprehensive scholarship programme where we provide support and development opportunities to our learners. Through the comprehensive, personal and long-term support we offer, we develop an alumnus of MAD Leadership Foundation Fellows who will invest back into South Africa. Our fellows are a powerful force for positive change in their unique way and leaders in their own right. As part of our comprehensive scholarship programme, we focus on the leadership development of our scholars. Our Leadership Learning Model is built on three pillars: Leadership of Self, Leadership of Others, and Leadership in Society. As of 2021, we currently have over 300 scholars on our scholarship programme.

02:30 start. 67km later…done.Gary Meyers has completed the Point To Point 2026 walk from Sea Point to Cape Point, Wester...
05/05/2026

02:30 start. 67km later…done.

Gary Meyers has completed the Point To Point 2026 walk from Sea Point to Cape Point, Western Cape in support of MAD Leadership Foundation.

This wasn’t just a walk. It was for the leaders of tomorrow.

At MAD, we believe in Tree-shakers, people who take action to unlock access to education and real opportunity.

Along the way, the MAD team showed up to cheer him on, because impact is never a solo journey.

Gary, thank you for shaking the tree.

Be part of it: 👉 Donation Link: https://bit.ly/MADP2P

2027 MAD Leadership Foundation Scholarships – Now Open 🗓 Applications close 26 July 2026 We are offering three scholarsh...
05/05/2026

2027 MAD Leadership Foundation Scholarships – Now Open
🗓 Applications close 26 July 2026

We are offering three scholarship opportunities for young South Africans who want to make a difference:

1. MIM Scholarship (CA(SA))
1st /2nd year in 2026, pursuing Chartered Accountancy (≥70% Financial Accounting)

2. MAD Scholarship (STEM / Commerce)
Gr 12/1st year in 2026 (≥65% average)

3. MAD Early Access Scholarship
Gr 8 in 2026

Criteria (all):
• South African citizen
• Household income ≤ R35,000/month
• Leadership potential + community involvement

🔗 Apply via the MAD website: madleadership.org/apply Please share with learners, schools, and networks who may benefit.

👣🚶🏽‍♂️ We are pleased to share that the Point2Point 67km Walk in support of the Make A Difference Leadership Foundation ...
30/04/2026

👣🚶🏽‍♂️ We are pleased to share that the Point2Point 67km Walk in support of the Make A Difference Leadership Foundation will take place on 1 May. Gary Meyers will be walking from Sea Point to Cape Point in support of MAD’s work in providing access to education and long-term leadership development opportunities for young people .

This journey represents endurance, purpose, and the belief that education creates real pathways to opportunity 🙌🏽.

Wishing you all of the best Gary Meyers!

24 years of showing up. 💚 560+ young leaders… and counting. For over two decades, MAD has believed in potential - and st...
23/04/2026

24 years of showing up. 💚
560+ young leaders… and counting.

For over two decades, MAD has believed in potential -
and stayed the course.

Through every challenge, every milestone, every moment of doubt -
we’ve walked alongside young people as they grow into leaders.

Young people who might not otherwise have had access to opportunity,
now shaping their futures with confidence and purpose.

Because real impact takes time.
And it takes courage to keep going.

Today, over 560 young leaders are part of this journey,
each one shaping a ripple of change across families and communities in South Africa.

To our MAD family, thank you for being part of this story.
For believing. For backing. For staying.

24 years in and still building. 💚

The leaders of tomorrow need our leadership today.

From Scholar to Graduate 💚🎓One by one, our MAD Scholars are stepping into a new chapter as MAD Graduates.Each story carr...
17/04/2026

From Scholar to Graduate 💚🎓

One by one, our MAD Scholars are stepping into a new chapter as MAD Graduates.

Each story carries its own journey of courage, resilience, growth and hard work. Together, they remind us what means.

To our graduates, we are so incredibly proud of you. Your journeys matter, your achievements matter, and so does the difference you have made and will continue to make.

14/04/2026

Each icon tells a story. Together, they create lasting impact. 💚

For Francois, it was a promise to Madiba.
Now we invite you to have fun with your Heart Held Icon and leave your own mark on something bigger.

Pleased to share the a few updates on the impactful work at Make A Difference Leadership Foundation, where we continue t...
13/04/2026

Pleased to share the a few updates on the impactful work at Make A Difference Leadership Foundation, where we continue to empower young leaders.

Our MAD Leader:
We are delighted to share with our MAD community that Karien is back in the driving seat as CEO of MAD Leadership Foundation. Her return brings both continuity and care to MAD’s 2.0 journey, helping pave the road of .
Some people do not need the spotlight to lead, they simply light the flame in others. Karien Winter carries that kind of leadership with deep love, quiet strength, and unwavering care. She gives of herself so fully, and our Scholars know just how deeply they are seen, supported, and loved because of her.

Scholar-Focused Activities:
Our scholar partners have reconfirmed their commitment, including supporting 16 scholar intakes in 2026 to expand opportunities for aspiring leaders. We're excited about our partnership with Deloitte's World Class program, offering accredited workshops to build essential skills. Plus, our Scholar Support Unit is actively on the road for one-on-one, in-person check-ins, providing personalised guidance to help scholars succeed.

Alumni Collaborating and Supporting Scholars:
A huge shoutout to our alumni for stepping forward. They're hosting online sessions and workshops on AI and Financial Management, sharing expertise to uplift the next generation.

Our Partners:
Starting with those dedicated to scholar partnerships like FEMEF, Sunfoil Education Trust, Madrinha Trust, Bateleur Capital, Edge Ca[pital, Alusi Asset Management , Meridian Foundation, Noblesfontein Windfarm, we're also grateful for Kemah Capital's international internship offered, Kim Williams Design and friends's efforts to make our MAD office the heart of our mission, CASI protection to our team on the road and Tenacity as our reliable IT partner for tech support and Greymatter & Finch, year after year, have assisted us in capturing so beautifully what MAD achieved in each specific year through our annual report.

From Scholar to Graduate 💚🎓This graduation season, we are celebrating a powerful milestone as our MAD Scholars become MA...
10/04/2026

From Scholar to Graduate 💚🎓

This graduation season, we are celebrating a powerful milestone as our MAD Scholars become MAD Graduates.

Each one of these graduates has shown what it means to keep going, to grow through challenge, and to rise with purpose. Their journeys have not only changed their own lives, but will go on to shape families, communities and the future of South Africa.

That is the spirit of .
To shake the tree.
To make a difference that reaches further than yourself.

To our graduates, we are so proud of you. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. This is more than a graduation, it is the beginning of the impact you will continue to make.

Throughout March, our Scholar Support Unit has been travelling across the country, visiting our amazing scholars in pers...
09/04/2026

Throughout March, our Scholar Support Unit has been travelling across the country, visiting our amazing scholars in person. At MAD Leadership Foundation, we’re all about walking alongside our scholars every step of the way, providing support that sees and values the whole individual.

Now that everyone is settled in for the new year, these visits have been a great opportunity to connect with our scholars where they are based, especially our first-year scholars and those attending new schools.

Over the past few weeks, our team made stops in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga Free State, Gauteng, KZN, and also visited our Western Cape scholars, getting to know each scholar’s unique journey and celebrating the incredible young leaders in our programme.

A special thank you to City Lodge, our accommodation sponsor, for making these visits possible and enabling us to engage with our scholars safely and comfortably. With the Cassi app, our Scholar Support Unit can travel unfamiliar routes with peace of mind, knowing that help is just a call away.
We’re proud to be making a real difference in every scholar’s journey, and this is just the beginning!

"The visits always serve as a powerful reminder of why we, as SSU and coordinators, do what we do. Speaking with scholars over calls is valuable, but face-to-face visits bring an entirely different dimension. In just an hour, we witness panic and exhaustion transform into wide smiles and laughter. Noticing subtle changes in their height, demeanor, and confidence makes every mile of travel worthwhile." Milisa Scholar Coordinator

Celebrating Leadership, Legacy & Impact!We are incredibly proud to share that our Founder and Chairman, Mr Francois Pien...
31/03/2026

Celebrating Leadership, Legacy & Impact!
We are incredibly proud to share that our Founder and Chairman, Mr Francois Pienaar, has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Health Sciences (including UJ Sport) on 25 March, his second honorary doctorate, having previously received an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Hertfordshire in November 2000.

While many remember him as the Springbok captain who led South Africa to the historic 1995 Rugby World Cup victory, Francois’ true legacy extends far beyond the field. Guided by a promise he made to Nelson Mandela, he has dedicated himself to making a difference through Make A Difference Leadership Foundation, advancing youth development, education, and opportunity across the country. Six of our MAD/UJ students were part of the conferral, a very special moment and testament to the impact of his vision.

He also co-founded the Varsity Cup in 2008, transforming university sport into a platform for talent development and leadership growth.

Congratulations, Francois. Your leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation continue to inspire us all.
Continue to shake the tree!

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As we look back over the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible journey we’ve shared. From the inspi...
16/12/2025

As we look back over the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible journey we’ve shared. From the inspiring stories that highlight the resilience and achievements of our scholars to the impactful work of Treeshakers in driving meaningful change, it has truly been a year of growth, learning, and remarkable milestones.

Thank you for being a vital part of this journey; your support and involvement make all the difference. Wishing you a joyful holiday and we look forward to continuing this meaningful work together in 2026. Follow the link to view our newsletter and celebrate our shared accomplishments: https://madleadership.org/news/mad-news/

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