The Nonprofit Matters Podcast

Hashtag Nonprofit
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The Nonprofit Matters Podcast ibrought to you by Hashtag Nonprofit: the show where we tackle the real, complex, and often unspoken challenges of working in South Africa’s nonprofit sector. From ethical dilemmas and leadership struggles to funding cuts, legal hurdles, and burnout, this is a space for honest conversations about what it really takes to keep doing good. This podcast is made possible thanks to the generous support of the LV and Ivy Middleton Charitable Trust.

Episodes

  1. 11/23/2025

    Burnout Is Not Part of the Job: Mental Health in the Nonprofit Sector

    In this candid conversation, host Ruen Govinder, Executive Director of Hashtag Nonprofit is joined by Mpadi Makgalo, Executive Director of Heal SA, and Cassey Chambers, Operations Director at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), to unpack the growing mental health crisis affecting nonprofit workers across the country. The episode dives into the realities of burnout, compassion fatigue, blurred boundaries, and the emotional toll of frontline work -- issues raiseddirectly by nonprofit practitioners through questions submitted to the show. Read more about this episode and download our free toolkit with episode summaries and resources: https://hashtagnonprofit.org/features-and-resources/the-nonprofit-matters-podcast/the-nonprofit-matters-podcast-episode-5-burnout-is-not-part-of-the-job-mental-health-in-the-nonprofit-sector Credits Host: Ruen GovinderGuests: Cassey Chambers, Mpadi MakgaloPodcast Producer: Ruen GovinderSound Engineering: LIFEBrand  This episode was produced with the support of the LV and Ivy Middleton Charitable Trust.

    42 min

  2. 11/16/2025

    Leading with heart: Nonprofit leadership and organisational design

    In this episode of The Nonprofit Matter Podcast, host Helen Joannides sits down with Seelan Naidoo of Public Ethos Consulting and Michelle Davidson of EM Solutions to explore thechallenges and realities of nonprofit leadership. From knowing when to close an organisation, managing restructuring and staff changes, to balancing collaborative structures with clear leadership, they share practical insights for leading with integrity and care. Seelan and Michelle also discuss how to empower teams, make invisible work visible, and designsustainable organisations that put people at the heart of every decision. This conversation has useful guidance on navigating tough decisions while staying true to your mission. Read more about this episode and download our free toolkit with episode summaries and resources: https://hashtagnonprofit.org/features-and-resources/the-nonprofit-matters-podcast/the-nonprofit-matters-podcast-episode-4-nonprofit-leadership-and-organisational-design Credits Host: Helen JoannidesGuests: Seelan Naidoo, Michelle DavidsonPodcast Producer: Ruendree GovinderSound Engineering: LIFEBrand https://lifebrand.co.za/ This episode was produced with the support of the LV and Ivy Middleton Charitable Trust.

    45 min

  3. 11/09/2025

    Ethical dilemmas and workplace tensions at nonprofit organisations

    Nonprofits are built on passion, purpose, and the drive to make a difference, but that doesn’t mean working in them is not without conflict and office drama. In our latest episode of The Nonprofit Matters Podcast, organisational transformation facilitator Desiree Paulsen joined host Carolin Gomulia to explore some of the toughest (and most relatable) workplace tensions in the NPO workplace: resistance to change, intergenerational clashes, and internal cultures that don’t always live up to the values we promote. Find more on this episode and download our free toolkit with additional resources at: https://hashtagnonprofit.org/features-and-resources/the-nonprofit-matters-podcast/the-nonprofit-matters-podcast-episode-3-ethical-dilemmas-workplace-tensions-in-nonprofits Credits Host: Carolin GomuliaGuest: Desiree PaulsenPodcast Producer: Ruendree GovinderSound Engineering: LIFEBrand https://lifebrand.co.za/This episode was created with support from the LV and Ivy Middleton Charitable Trust

    34 min

  4. 11/02/2025

    Legal lowdown: Navigating South African nonprofit law

    “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

    56 min

  5. 10/16/2025

    The impact of international funding cuts on South African nonprofits

    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 internationaldonorsThe importance of local philanthropy and community engagementPractical ways to push back on donor expectations that don’t reflect on-the-ground realitiesBuilding 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 KwizeraGuests: Audrey Elster, Louise Driver, Nyasha NjelaPodcast Producer: Ruendree GovinderSound Engineering: LIFEBrand https://lifebrand.co.za/Support: LV and Ivy Middleton Charitable Trust

    42 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

The Nonprofit Matters Podcast ibrought to you by Hashtag Nonprofit: the show where we tackle the real, complex, and often unspoken challenges of working in South Africa’s nonprofit sector. From ethical dilemmas and leadership struggles to funding cuts, legal hurdles, and burnout, this is a space for honest conversations about what it really takes to keep doing good. This podcast is made possible thanks to the generous support of the LV and Ivy Middleton Charitable Trust.

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