1997 – 2002
1997 – 2002
When the Open Society’s first regional African foundation opened its doors in 1997, a journey of positive social change began. Under Lucy Muyoyeta as Executive Director, OSISA supported several initiatives to promote positive social change, and the organisation’s impact often extended beyond funding and grant-making – including engaging in human rights litigation, impact investing and advocating for inclusive and just public policies.
Read more about OSISA’s first 15 years, including programme and people stories from the period, below.
The beginnings of a desirable goal, worthy of sacrifice When the Open Society’s first regional African foundation opened its doors in 1997, a journey of positive social change began. George Soros was no stranger to an unjust world. Born in Hungary in 1930, his family survived Nazi persecution by using false identity papers. After the war in …
OSISA provided critical support to the LGBTQIA+ community and moved the needle for the recognition of LGBTQIA+ rights in Southern Africa OSISA helped new LGBTQIA+ organisations to form across Southern Africa OSISA was an early donor in the LGBTQIA+ rights advocacy space. The organisation took up the mantle when no one else was willing. For …
improving LGBTQIA+ rights, Osisa’s legacy from OSISA’s legacy of improving LGBTQIA+ rights
His passion for activism started decades ago, when he was influenced by family members that stood up against unjust regimes. The passion grew, and he has now made a career out of it. “For me, I am an African, I am a Pan African, and I believe that Africa has potential. It has fallen victim …
A mass meeting of professors and students at Cape Town University, South Africa, on September 19, 1985.
Source: Bernard Bisson/Getty
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During this time period Osisa worked in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe
