Building South Africa’s next generation of ethical leaders starts with proven results. Make a Difference Leadership Foundation‘s (MADLF) comprehensive support system empowers young individuals to achieve academic excellence, secure meaningful employment, and become the change-makers their communities need.
Impact That Speaks for Itself
Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s belief that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” our work is generational, not short-term charity.
We identify and nurture young people with leadership potential, creating a ripple effect of positive change that begins in South Africa and now extends to the United States.
“Imagine an international network of young leaders who care deeply about their country, their communities, and the world, an unstoppable force for good.”
Francois Pienaar, Chairman & Co-Founder
Global Leaders in Motion
Our alumni aren’t just success stories; they are global leaders making a tangible impact on the world stage.
Spencer Jay-Horne
Entrepreneur, Mentor, MAD Board MemberSpencer Jay-Horne’s journey reflects the promise of a MAD Leadership Foundation scholarship: a young leader with talent and ambition, stepping into opportunity and using it to build solutions that change lives.
A MADLF scholar from 2007 to 2014, Spencer went from the African Leadership Academy to Harvard University, where he earned a Mechanical Engineering degree that prepared him for the world’s most demanding environments. Early mentorship helped sharpen his curiosity, expand his confidence, and fuel his determination to pursue opportunities beyond South Africa’s borders.
After Harvard, Spencer began his career at McKinsey & Company, advising global organisations before following an entrepreneurial calling rooted in social impact. He went on to found Cloudline, a Stellenbosch-based aviation technology company developing autonomous, solar-powered airships that deliver essential goods and services to communities beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure. By blending drone, helicopter, and satellite capabilities into a scalable, zero-carbon platform, Cloudline is redefining access, logistics, and equity across underserved regions.
Under Spencer’s leadership, Cloudline has expanded into African markets, secured international investment, including support from Schmidt Futures, and created high-skilled jobs while developing technology with real-world applications across the continent.
Despite his global trajectory, Spencer has stayed closely connected to the Foundation. He mentors MADLF graduates, provides opportunities for young alumni, and serves on the MADLF Board, helping shape the future of leadership and impact.
For Spencer, being a MADLF alumnus is both an honour and a responsibility, one he continues to fulfil by innovating, investing in others, and expanding what is possible.
Spencer Jay-Horne: building opportunity, advancing African innovation, and carrying the MAD spirit forward.
Jared Thom
Chartered Accountant, Orbis Investments (Vancouver)Jared Thom’s story embodies the transformative promise of a MAD Leadership Foundation scholarship. He began as a talented young scholar with big dreams, MADLF opened the door, and he stepped through with purpose.
After graduating from the University of Cape Town in 2015, Jared started his career at Allan Gray, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)). His path soon expanded beyond South Africa, taking him on international secondments with Orbis Investments to Vancouver, Bermuda, and London. These global experiences shaped his professional worldview and deepened his sense of responsibility as a leader.
In 2019, Jared returned to Vancouver to join Orbis Investments permanently as a financial controller. Today, he plays a key role in the firm’s global finance team, contributing to financial strategies that support international operations.
Even as his career has scaled new heights, Jared has remained grounded in gratitude. The opportunity MAD gave him became a catalyst, and he has paid it forward by facilitating meaningful support for the Foundation through Orbis’s Employee-Directed Buchanan Programme.
For Jared, being a MAD alumnus is not just a milestone. It is a commitment – to lead, to uplift, and to keep expanding opportunity for others.
Jared Thom: using global experience, leadership, and philanthropy to carry the MAD spirit forward.
Dr. Kaylee Marais
PhD & AdvocateDr. Kylie Marais’s journey reflects the impact of a MAD Leadership Foundation scholarship: a young scholar with drive and potential, given the chance to pursue her studies without financial barriers and choosing to use that opportunity to uplift others.
Supported by MADLF through her undergraduate and Honours years, Kylie built the academic foundation that would carry her all the way to a PhD. Her path was shaped by resilience and purpose, especially as she navigated postgraduate study, parenthood, and the uncertainty of the pandemic. Through it all, she continued to grow as both a thinker and a leader.
Kylie’s research in gender and sexuality takes a refreshing approach. Instead of focusing solely on fear and risk, she centres knowledge, agency, and confidence, believing that informed women are stronger and safer in a world where gender-based violence remains pervasive. Her work is grounded, practical, and designed to build real-world protection through understanding.
Leadership, for Kylie, is service. Her time with MADLF taught her to stand steady, support others, and lead with conviction even when life becomes complicated. She has carried those lessons into her career, transforming academic insight into tools that help others learn and thrive.
Today, Kylie is developing digital platforms that make her research accessible to young scholars and professionals, opening doors for others just as MADLF opened doors for her. She is committed to turning knowledge into empowerment and impact.
Dr. Kylie Marais: a protector, a teacher, and a leader using insight to create meaningful change, and carrying the MAD spirit forward.
#R – The Tree Shakers
Inspired by Rolihlahla, Nelson Mandela’s birth name, meaning “tree shaker”.
At Make A Difference Leadership Foundation, we believe leadership is more than a title, but about action, integrity, and the courage to drive change. #R is a symbol of brave leadership. It calls on us to speak out when it matters, uplift others, and spark ripples of impact that move communities forward.
Wear #R with pride. A daily reminder to lead boldly. Be the ripple. Shake the tree. Live #R.
We’ve always described our scholars as “Tree Shakers”, young leaders who challenge the status quo and move their communities forward. But the truth is, the people we’re engaging in the United States are Tree Shakers too. They are leaders who drive change in their companies, communities, and industries. They refuse to settle for “how things have always been” and insist on building something better.
The #R movement brings these worlds together: MAD Scholars rising in South Africa and global leaders already making an impact in the US. It’s a network of individuals who share one defining characteristic: they shake the tree so future generations can thrive. This is where South African resilience meets American drive, creating a community that amplifies impact.
Global Legacy Circle (GLC)
Global Legacy Circle is an invitation to join a fellowship of high-level influencers dedicated to shaping a better future. GLC brings together established and emerging leaders in cities like New York and Chicago for intimate discussions on leadership, social impact, and global change. It’s an opportunity for US leaders to engage directly with our mission, share insights, and become part of a powerful international network.
Join Us from the US
Your support from the United States is crucial to building South Africa’s next generation of leaders. Here are four clear ways you can make a difference.
Meet the US Team
