Ma Tiger Foundation is a group of dynamic people who share a deep rooted concern for the well-being of the people and environment of South Africa. Recognising that finance is most frequently the problem faced in, especially rural, grassroots community-serving organisations, we have come up with an innovative funding model.
Michèle Schiess
Founder Director and Pilot Coordinator.
Born in 1962 I am witness to the devastating effects of systemic exploitation and inequality causing generational trauma for millions upon millions of people. I am also a survivor of several violent crimes and know that these experiences are as a result of an unstable society.
From a 17 year career in film and TV production, I am skilled in logistics, managing large budgets, and have first-hand experience of the power of team-work. Concurrent to my paid work in production, I felt compelled to form an NGO, and co-founded Sing4Life in 2000. (The name implied that if one is happy, one sings!). The organisation experienced limited success until I started collaborating with Thomas Linders, a permaculture and water expert. We committed to working together, rebranded Sing4Life, changing the name to Sustainable Community Development. In 2015, we moved to the Eastern Free Sate where we work a small-scale farm practicing regenerative agriculture and teach these methodologies (mostly) on site.
The farm, Waaipoort Farm, neighbours the impoverished Mautse township where the damaging effects of unemployment, substance abuse and violence are palpable in the community. This motivated me to form another NGO, focussed on women, because they suffer (non-intended) gender-based inequality, disproportionally suffering the effects of climate change.
Piloting initiatives in Mautse, Ma Tiger Foundation’s two 2024 dialogues have been co-sponsored by Foundation for Human Rights. Through our engagement with communities, and monthly R10 (tiger) collections from a high volume of people, Ma Tiger Foundation will become the financial partner to grassroots initiatives committed to addressing the complex issues affecting them. I believe that together we can create lasting change, bringing South Africa back to her blue-print of well-being.
Mafusi Molefi
Ambassador
I have a BA (Hons) in Development Studies and am passionate about development ideas and transformative learning to answer socio-economic problems. I am an educator and a life-activist in the small-holder food growing sector. As an independent permaculture practitioner, I have spearheaded school food gardens in my own, and adjacent areas. HIV/AIDS, food insecurity and gender based violence are huge challenges in my area. In my life, I continue to remind elders and teach communities how to grow their own health-promoting foods. I also promote dialogue and other circles of support as a means of healing people. After being a serial volunteer at Waaipoort Farm for many years, I am now a permanent member!
Artwork by Nandipha Jantjies.
Lili Passetti
Ambassador/Director
Growing up as a bi-racial woman in the newly democratic South Africa, I developed a keen interest in Human Rights which I pursued in studying an LLB until I lost the battle to substance abuse and succumbed to my addiction for some years. I have since entered into recovery with a vast array of experience, which has made me empathetic to the plight of addiction, violence against women and the lack of implementation around access to justice. I refuse to live in the problem and stand by the solution-based approach Ma Tiger is taking to empower women and the people of South Africa to heal, as I am living proof that there is a better way to live but we simply cannot do it alone.
Tremaine Seekoei
Ambassador
I am Tremaine Seekoei also known as Kaalvoet Prinses and I am an ambassador for Ma Tiger. I am a sexual violence activist and founder of The Barefoot Campaign in support of survivors of sexual violence. I work for a women’s empowerment organization called Women To Women and I am a singer and lyricist. Having been a full-time sexual violence activist and also working in the NPO sector, I am well aware of the challenges that come with finding funding for the much-needed work that we do in our communities. I love Ma Tiger because it seeks to make funding more accessible for women. Also, the fact that it makes it possible for everyone to be a donor. I trust and believe that if we all come together and contribute towards the Ma Tiger Foundation, we can drive big change with small change.
Bria Chloe Manning
Director/Marketing
I am Bria Chloe Manning. I formally worked in the restaurant industry as a chef & FOH Manager. After years of being in the industry I realized I was missing something in my life; besides sleep. From there I ventured into accounts and business operations for various companies, yet this didn’t satisfy my soul. I’ve known Michèle for 17yrs and through her I found one of my passions in life – making a difference in the world we live in, breaking away from generational trauma and poverty, giving everyone an opportunity to become something. With Ma Tiger Foundation this is all possible. Together we can make positive long-term changes to our communities.
Sid Organe
Director/Finance
As an autodidact and polymath I spent about 26 years in the I.T., Business, Systems Development and Accounting industry (Self-employed) during which time I applied years researching and learning about the human condition and why society to me appeared so unbalanced. This resulted in me leaving Gauteng in the beginning of 2010 where I furthered my interests in Sustainable Development, Non-profit work, Equity Ownership Enterprise Development and various other fields of interest. It is my firm belief that to improve the injustice and corruption within society we have to as individuals be responsible and accountable for our actions, not by fighting society but rather being fully transparent in all that we do.
Douglas & Velcich Chartered Accountants
Auditors
In 1984, Alan Velcich and I established Douglas & Velcich to provide auditing and financial services to progressive organisations working to develop people and communities in opposition to Apartheid. Since Alan’s untimely death in 2013, we have been managed by a four person management committee, who continue to serve human rights, education and health in the NGO sector. 2024 marks 40 years in which we have been privileged, through the work of our clients, to contribute towards an economically, socially and environmentally just South Africa. We feel proud to be asked to be the auditors of the Ma Tiger Fund in South Africa as it strives towards returning South Africa to its blueprint of well-being. — David Douglas