Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa Named Among TIME’s Top 100 Philanthropists for Transformative Impact in Africa
Zimbabwean philanthropists Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa have earned a place among TIME magazine’s Top 100 Philanthropists in the World, a prestigious recognition that underscores their far-reaching contributions to education, healthcare, and youth empowerment across the African continent.
Joining a distinguished lineup of global changemakers such as Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, David Beckham, Aliko Dangote, and Jack Ma, the Masiyiwas stand out for their strategic and results-driven philanthropy. Their work through the Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies has consistently supported vulnerable communities, with a particular focus on investing in human capital.
Their latest accolade coincides with their involvement in a groundbreaking health initiative—The Beginnings Fund—a new US$500 million global effort aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The fund, launched this month, targets the prevention of more than 300,000 deaths and aims to improve care for 34 million women and newborns by 2030.
The initiative will operate across 10 African countries, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda. It focuses on high-impact, low-cost solutions for improving care in under-resourced hospitals. Interventions include the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, prevention of maternal infections, and support for newborns experiencing respiratory distress—all major contributors to preventable deaths in the region.
A hallmark of the fund is its emphasis on local partnerships. Working closely with African governments and health organisations, the fund will channel resources into healthcare systems, medical supplies, and personnel training, enabling a sustainable and scalable approach to maternal and newborn care.
The idea for the Beginnings Fund emerged during a virtual meeting of philanthropic leaders—including the ELMA Foundation—sparked by a tragic story of a mother losing triplets due to inadequate hospital care. This moment of collective urgency led to a coordinated response, with Tsitsi Masiyiwa playing a pivotal role in mobilising support and shaping the fund’s vision.
Leadership of the fund’s investment strategy will include Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa, daughter of the philanthropic couple and CEO of both Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies. Her role ensures that the next generation continues to build on her parents’ legacy of service and innovation.
The Beginnings Fund is supported by a powerful alliance of global donors, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity. Its launch arrives at a critical time, as the World Health Organization warns of stalled progress in reducing maternal and newborn deaths—70% of which now occur in Africa.
Through their consistent leadership and unwavering commitment, Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa continue to demonstrate how targeted philanthropy can deliver measurable, life-changing outcomes. Their recognition by TIME not only celebrates their achievements but also amplifies the urgent call to action for global solidarity in tackling some of Africa’s most pressing health challenges.
