Philanthropy and Social Protection in COVID-19 Pandemic Times in Kenya and South Africa

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic posed major social welfare and livelihood challenges by placing individual livelihoods at risk across the globe. Governments in 27 African countries, responded to ensuing shocks by creating special-purpose hybrid public-private philanthropy institutions to mobilise resources for public health and social protection interventions. Studies have not paid sufficient attention to the role, functioning, and effectiveness of these institutions in meeting Africa’s social protection needs. Located at an important intersection of social protection and philanthropy in Africa, this study employed a qualitative comparative case study approach, analysing data from in-depth interviews and media reports to probe giving trends, motivations, and drivers, as well as the functioning of these mobilisations in addressing social protection needs in Kenya and South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggest overwhelming public support dampened by reports of bureaucratic impropriety. The study contributes to the understanding of pertinent issues of the effectiveness of these mobilisations and concludes that greater transparency and accountability are necessary for the success of such initiatives to meet Africa’s social protection needs in times of crisis.