THE FUSE

Author and MC Rachel Kolisi has opened up about the reason behind her decision to leave the Kolisi Foundation, revealing how her passion for making an immediate difference inspired her to launch a new chapter in the non-profit space.

Kolisi recently sat down with Alberto Lidji on the Do One Better Podcast for a candid conversation about her journey. During the interview, she reflected on her experience at the Kolisi Foundation, why she felt it was time to move on, and what she hopes to achieve through her new organisation, the Falling Forward Foundation. The podcast episode is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The Falling Forward Foundation is a South African non-profit organisation launched by Rachel Kolisi. Rather than replacing existing charities, its primary mission is to collaborate with and amplify the reach of grassroots organisations and community initiatives already making a difference across the country.

Kolisi explained that one of the biggest challenges in the non-profit sector is the lack of collaboration between organisations.

“The non-profit sector often works in silos, and there is very little collaboration that happens because organisations are after the same funding, and all doing amazing work, can sometimes become a very competitive environment,” shared Kolisi.

She said that after taking a break between the Kolisi Foundation and launching Falling Forward, she discovered many small organisations doing remarkable work but receiving very little public attention.

“What I found during my break between the Kolisi Foundation and Falling Forward was that there are so many small, incredible foundations doing phenomenal work in South Africa, but have very little access to exposure.

“I’ve been very privileged to grow a platform that does have a lot of eyes on it. I really want to showcase the phenomenal work that organisations are doing in South Africa.

“I’m not interested in reinventing the wheel. I’m not interested in creating more programmes. I think there’s more than enough programmes, but not enough eyes on the work that is happening.”

During the interview, Kolisi also made it clear that she appreciated the time she spent at the Kolisi Foundation. However, as the organisation expanded, she felt it became more corporate and structured, making it harder to respond quickly when communities needed help.

“I found that it was further and further away from the way I wanted to work in the non-profit sector and was becoming a lot more structured in the way that some of the bigger organisations are and in some ways losing the ability to see an issue and address an issue immediately, even if you’re able to.”

She explained that while larger charities may spend months completing paperwork before fixing something as simple as a damaged roof, she wants the Falling Forward Foundation to respond to urgent needs without unnecessary delays.

Kolisi also shared her vision of making it easier for ordinary people to get involved in giving back. She hopes to create opportunities where anyone who wants to make a difference can contribute through volunteering, donations or sharing resources, while also ensuring that smaller organisations feel supported.

“The issues, not only in South Africa, but in the world, can feel so overwhelming, so impossible, and you constantly saying where do I even start … I want to create campaigns, I want to create opportunities for an everyday individual that wants to do good, can do good, whether that’s through volunteering or giving their resources and for the organisations on the receiving end of that I want them to know that a big issue for them, is a big issue for me to.”

Rachel Kolisi is also inviting audiences into one of the most personal chapters of her life through her upcoming The Rachel Kolisi Falling Forward Official Documentary Screening Experience.

Following each screening, attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from Rachel during a live fireside conversation.

The Falling Forward Official Screening Experience will travel across several cities and provinces, giving audiences around Southern Africa the chance to be part of the event.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN